◄ Ecclesiastes 10:20 ►
Verse  (Click for Chapter)
Good News Translation
Don't criticize the king, even silently, and don't criticize the rich, even in the privacy of your bedroom. A bird might carry the message and tell them what you said.

New Revised Standard Version
Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts, or curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the air may carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Contemporary English Version
Don't let yourself think about cursing the king; don't curse the rich, not even in secret. A little bird might hear and tell everything.

New American Bible
Even in your thoughts do not curse the king, nor in the privacy of your bedroom curse the rich; For the birds of the air may carry your voice, a winged creature may tell what you say.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.

curse

Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not speak ill of the gods, and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse.

Isaiah 8:21 And they shall pass by it, they shall fall, and be hungry: and when they shall be hungry, they will be angry, and curse their king, and their God, and look upwards.

Acts 23:5 And Paul said: I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest. For it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the prince of thy people.

thought

Ecclesiastes 7:21,22 But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee. . . .

Luke 19:40 To whom he said: I say to you that if these shall hold their peace, the stones will cry out.

in thy bedchamber

Luke 10:40 But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her therefore, that she help me.

Luke 12:2,3 For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed: nor hidden that shall not be known. . . .

Context
Wisdom and Folly
…19For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money. 20Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
Cross References
Luke 12:3
For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers shall be preached on the housetops.

Acts 23:5
And Paul said: I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest. For it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the prince of thy people.

Exodus 8:3
And the river shall bring forth an abundance of frogs; which shall come up and enter into thy house, and thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the houses of thy servants, and to thy people, and into thy ovens, and into the remains of thy meats:

Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not speak ill of the gods, and the prince of thy people thou shalt not curse.

2 Kings 6:12
And one of his servants said: No one, my lord, O king: but Eliseus, the prophet, that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel all the words, that thou speakest in thy privy chamber.

Ecclesiastes 10:19
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