English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 7:21
21Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Ecclesiastes 7:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
- New International Version (NIV)Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—
- New King James Version (NKJV)Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:21
19Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. 23All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me.
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:21 word by word
גַּ֤ם לְכָל־הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ אַל־תִּתֵּ֖ן לִבֶּ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־תִשְׁמַ֥ע אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ֖ מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:21
- 2 Samuel 19:19and said to the king, "Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart.
- 2 Samuel 16:10But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, 'Curse David,' who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'"
- Isaiah 29:21who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.
- 1 Corinthians 13:5or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken - This is good advice, and much for every man's peace through life. Thy servant curse thee - מקללך mekallelecha, make light of thee, speak evil of thee.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Curse cursed - Rather, speak evil of spoken evil of.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-22Verses 11-22 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea better. It shelters from the storms and scorching heat of trouble. Wealth will not lengthen out the natural life; but true wisdom will give spiritual life, and strengthen men for services under their sufferings. Let us look upon the disposal of our condition as the work of God, and at last all will appear to have been for the best. In acts of righteousness, be not carried into heats or passions, no…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-22God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. As therefore thou being far from perfectly "just" thyself, hast much to be forgiven by God, do not take too strict account, as the self-righteous do (Ec 7:16; Lu 18:9, 11), and thereby shorten their lives (Ec 7:15, 16), of words spoken against thee by others, for example, thy servant: Thou art their "fellow servant" before God (Mt 18:32-35).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries