⁵There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake ⁶when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth.

Read in Logos

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

There is an evil I have seen under the sun,

the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

Fools are put in many high positions,

while the rich occupy the low ones.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, an error proceeding from the presence of the ruler:

The fool is appointed to great heights,

but the rich remain in lowly positions.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

There is an evil I have seen under the sun—

it is an error that proceeds from a ruler!

The fool is set in many high places,

but the rich sit in lowly places.

KJV 1900King James Version

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place.

Public Domain