Ecclesiastes 10:20
Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
Context
Wisdom and Folly

1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking smell: so does a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor. 2A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. 3Yes also, when he that is a fool walks by the way, his wisdom fails him, and he said to every one that he is a fool. 4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. 5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceeds from the ruler: 6Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking as servants on the earth. 8He that digs a pit shall fall into it; and whoever breaks an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9Whoever removes stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that splits wood shall be endangered thereby. 10If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15The labor of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city. 16Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning! 17Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18By much slothfulness the building decays; and through idleness of the hands the house drops through. 19A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things. 20Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
Parallel Verses
American Standard Version
Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.


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.


Darby Bible Translation
Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for the bird of the air will carry the voice, and that which hath wings will tell the matter.


King James Bible
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.


Young's Literal Translation
Even in thy mind a king revile not, And in the inner parts of thy bed-chamber Revile not the rich: For a fowl of the heavens causeth the voice to go, And a possessor of wings declareth the word.


Ecclesiastes 10:19
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