Ecclesiastes 10:5–7
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — The New International Version (NIV)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — English Standard Version (ESV)
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — New Living Translation (NLT)
5 There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake 6 when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 7 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
As an error proceeding from the ruler:
6 Folly is set in great dignity,
While the rich sit in a lowly place.
7 I have seen servants on horses,
While princes walk on the ground like servants.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — New Century Version (NCV)
5 There is something else wrong that happens here on earth.
It is the kind of mistake rulers make:
6 Fools are given important positions
while gifted people are given lower ones;
7 I have seen servants ride horses
while princes walk like servants on foot.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — American Standard Version (ASV)
5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as an error that proceedeth from the ruler: 6 folly is set in great dignities, but the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
5 There is a tragedy that I’ve seen under the sun, an error often made by rulers. 6 Foolish people are often given high positions, and rich people are left to fill lower positions. 7 I have seen slaves sitting on horses and influential people going on foot like slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:
6 The fool is appointed to great heights,
but the rich remain in lowly positions.
7 I have seen slaves on horses,
but princes walking on the ground like slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as great an error as if it proceeded from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horseback, and princes walking on foot like slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun—
it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!
6 The fool is set in many high places,
but the rich sit in lowly places.
7 I have even seen slaves riding on horses
and princes walking like slaves on the earth!
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
5 Here’s something evil I’ve seen on this earth.
And it’s the kind of mistake that rulers make.
6 Foolish people are given many important jobs.
Rich people are given unimportant ones.
7 I’ve seen slaves on horseback.
I’ve also seen princes who were forced to walk as if they were slaves.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler—
6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.
7 I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land.