Ecclesiastes 10:1 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

¹ Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a foul odor; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹ Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹ DEAD FLIES cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy [and] send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly [in him who is valued for wisdom] outweigh wisdom and honor.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹ Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.

Common English Bible

¹ As dead flies spoil the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹ Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹ Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a small and shortlived folly.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 Cross References

2 Chronicles 19:2

Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord.

Nehemiah 13:26

Did not King Solomon of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel; nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.

Nehemiah 6:13

He was hired for this purpose, to intimidate me and make me sin by acting in this way, and so they could give me a bad name, in order to taunt me.

Job 6:3

For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

Exodus 30:25

and you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one bungler destroys much good.

Haggai 2:12

If one carries consecrated meat in the fold of one’s garment and with the fold touches bread, or stew, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does it become holy?” The priests answered, “No.”

Haggai 2:13

Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered, “Yes, it becomes unclean.”