Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
If the yron be blunt, and he doe not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome is profitable to direct.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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From verse 10
- Colossians 4:5Rank 2 from verse 10
- Ecclesiastes 10:15Rank 3 from verse 10
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Rank 4 from verse 10
- Ephesians 5:15–17Rank 5 from verse 10
15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
15*See then that yee walke circumspectly, not as fooles, but as wise,
16Redeming the time, because the dayes are euill.
17Wherefore be ye not vnwise, but vnderstanding what the will of the Lord is.
- 1 Kings 3:9Rank 6 from verse 10
9Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
9*Giue therefore thy seruant an †understanding heart, to iudge thy people, that I may discerne betweene good and bad: for who is able to iudge this thy so great a people?
- Ecclesiastes 9:15–17Rank 7 from verse 10
15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
15Now there was found in it a poore wise man, and hee by his wisedome deliuered the citie; yet no man remembred that same poore man.
16*Then said I, Wisedome is better then strength: neuerthelesse, the poore mans wisedome is despised, and his words are not heard.
17The words of wise men are heard in quiet, more then the cry of him that ruleth among fooles.
- Acts 6:1–9Rank 8 from verse 10
1AND in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
8And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9¶ Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.
1¶ And in those dayes when the number of the Disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrewes, because their widowes were neglected in the daily ministration.
2Then the twelue called the multitude of the disciples vnto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leaue the word of God, and serue tables.
3Wherefore brethren, looke ye out among you seuen men of honest report, full of the holy Ghost, and wisedome, whom we may appoint ouer this businesse.
4But we will giue our selues continually to prayer, and to the ministerie of the word.
5¶ And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Steuen, a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Permenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.
6Whom they set before the Apostles: and when they had praied, they layd their hands on them.
7And the word of God encreased, and the number of the Disciples multiplied in Hierusalem greatly, and a great company of the Priests were obedient to the faith.
8And Steuen full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.
9¶ Then there arose certaine of the Synagogue, which is called the Synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia, and of Asia, disputing with Steuen.
- Genesis 41:33–39Rank 9 from verse 10
33Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.
34Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
35And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
36And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.
37¶ And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.
38And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?
39And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:
33Now therfore let Pharaoh looke out a man discreet and wise, and set him ouer the land of Egypt.
34Let Pharaoh doe this, and let him appoint ‖officers ouer the land, & take vp the fift part of the land of Egypt, in the seuen plenteous yeeres.
35And let them gather all the food of those good yeeres that come, and lay vp corne vnder the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keepe food in the cities.
36And that food shall be for store to the land, against the seuen yeeres of famine, which shall bee in the land of Egypt, that the land †perish not through the famine.
37¶ And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his seruants.
38And Pharaoh said vnto his seruants, Can we find such a one, as this is, a man in whom the spirit of God is?
39And Pharaoh said vnto Ioseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreete and wise, as thou art:
- Romans 16:19Rank 10 from verse 10
19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
19For your obedience is come abroad vnto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalfe: but yet I would haue you wise vnto that which is good, and ‖simple concerning euill.
- 1 Chronicles 12:32Rank 11 from verse 10
32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
32And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had vnderstanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to doe: the heads of them were two hundred, and all their brethren were at their commandement.
- 2 Chronicles 23:4–11Rank 12 from verse 10
4This is the thing that ye shall do; A third part of you entering on the sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be porters of the doors;
5And a third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the Lord.
6But let none come into the house of the Lord, save the priests, and they that minister of the Levites; they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keep the watch of the Lord.
7And the Levites shall compass the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand; and whosoever else cometh into the house, he shall be put to death: but be ye with the king when he cometh in, and when he goeth out.
8So the Levites and all Judah did according to all things that Jehoiada the priest had commanded, and took every man his men that were to come in on the sabbath, with them that were to go out on the sabbath: for Jehoiada the priest dismissed not the courses.
9Moreover Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in the house of God.
10And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
11Then they brought out the king’s son, and put upon him the crown, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. And Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and said, God save the king.
4This is the thing that yee shall doe, A third part of you entring on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Leuites, shalbe porters of the †doores.
5And a thirde part shall bee at the kings house, and a third part at the gate of the foundation: and all the people shall be in the Courts of the house of the LORD.
6But let none come into the house of the LORD, saue the Priests, & they that minister of the Leuites, they shall go in, for they are holy: but all the people shall keepe the watch of the LORD.
7And the Leuites shall compasse the king round about, euery man with his weapons in his hand, and whosoeuer else commeth into the house, hee shalbe put to death: but be you with the King when he commeth in, and when he goeth out.
8So the Leuites and all Iudah did according to all things that Iehoiada the Priest had commanded: and tooke euery man his men that were to come in on the Sabbath, with them that were to goe out on the Sabbath: for Iehoiada the Priest dismissed not the courses.
9Moreouer, Iehoiada the Priest deliuered to the captaines of hundreds, speares and bucklers, and shields, that had bene King Dauids, which were in the house of God.
10nd hee set all the people (euery man hauing his weapon in his hand) from the right †side of the †ATemple, to the left side of the Temple, along by the Altar and the Temple, by the King, round about.
11Then they brought out the kings sonne, and put vpon him the Crowne, and * gaue him the Testimony, and made him King: and Iehoiada and his sonnes anointed him, and said, †God saue the King.
- Exodus 18:19–23Rank 13 from verse 10
19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.
19Hearken now vnto my voyce, I will giue thee counsell, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to Godward, that thou mayest bring the causes vnto God:
20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and lawes, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walke, and the worke that they must doe.
21Moreouer thou shalt prouide out of all the people able men, such as feare God, men of trueth, hating couetousnesse, and place such ouer them, to bee rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tennes.
22And let them iudge the people at all seasons: and it shall bee that euery great matter they shall bring vnto thee, but euery small matter they shal iudge: so shall it be easier for thy selfe, and they shall beare the burden with thee.
23If thou shalt doe this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt bee able to endure, and all this people shall also goe to their place in peace.
- Matthew 10:16Rank 14 from verse 10
- Acts 15:2–21Rank 15 from verse 10
2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12¶ Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13¶ And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissention and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certeine other of them, should goe vp to Hierusalem vnto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
3And being brought on their way by the Church, they passed thorow Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conuersion of the Gentiles: and they caused great ioy vnto all the brethren.
4And when they were come to Hierusalem, they were receiued of the Church, and of the Apostles, and Elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5But there rose vp certaine of the sect of the Pharisees which beleeued, saying, that it was needfull to circumcise them, and to cōmand them to keepe the Law of Moses.
6¶ And the Apostles & Elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7And when there had bene much disputing, Peter rose vp, and said vnto them, *Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while agoe, God made choise among vs, that the Gentiles by my mouth should heare the worde of the Gospel, and beleeue.
8And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witnes, giuing them the holy Ghost, euen as he did vnto vs,
9*And put no difference between vs & them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10Now therfore why tempt ye God, *to put a yoke vpon the necke of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare?
11But we beleeue that through the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ, we shal be saued euen as they.
12¶ Then all the multitude kept silence, and gaue audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13¶ And after they had helde their peace, Iames answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken vnto me.
14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visite the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his Name.
15And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,
16*After this I will returne, and wil build againe the Tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe: and I will build againe the ruines thereof, and I will set it vp:
17That the residue of men might seeke after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, vpon whom my Name is called, sayth the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18Knowen vnto God are all his workes frō the beginning of the world.
19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20But that wee write vnto them, that they abstaine from pollutions of Idoles, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preach him, being read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Having a thick edge or point, as an instrument; dull; not sharp.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. To sharpen an edge by rubbing. 2. To make speech keen or cutting.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The cutting border, outer limit, or boundary of something.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Power, might, force, ability, firmness, courage, capacity, support, defence, resources, or that by which a person or thing is enabled to stand, act, endure, overcome, or accomplish a work.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Knowledge, understanding, judgment, skill, or prudence.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
profitable
Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: To guide, order, or point. Sense 2: Straight, right, or immediate. Sense 3: To instruct or teach.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604
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Surrounding Verses
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9Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
9Who so remoueth stones, shall be hurt therewith: and hee that cleaueth wood, shalbe 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.
10If the yron be blunt, and he doe not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisedome is profitable to direct.
Selected passage11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
11†Surely the serpent will bite without inchauntment, and a babbler is no better.