Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
†The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous madnesse.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. his mouth.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
Build from either side
Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.
SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
5 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 13
- 1 Samuel 25:10–11Rank 1 from verse 13
10¶ And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
11Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be?
10¶ And Nabal answered Dauids seruants, and said, Who is Dauid? and who is the sonne of Iesse? There bee many seruants now a daies that breake away euery man from his master.
11Shall I then take my bread and my water, and my †flesh that I haue killed for my shearers, and giue it vnto men, whom I know not whence they bee?
- Proverbs 29:9Rank 2 from verse 13
- 1 Samuel 20:26–33Rank 3 from verse 13
26Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
27And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
28And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
29And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.
30Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
31For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
32And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
33And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
26Neuerthelesse, Saul spake not any thing that day: for hee thought, Some thing hath befallen him, hee is not cleane; surely he is not cleane.
27And it came to passe on the morrow which was the second day of the moneth, that Dauids place was emptie: and Saul said vnto Ionathan his sonne, Wherefore commeth not the sonne of Iesse to meat, neither yesterday nor to day?
28And Ionathan answered Saul, Dauid earnestly asked leaue of me, to goe to Bethlehem.
29And he said, Let me goe, I pray thee, for our familie hath a sacrifice in the citie, and my brother, hee hath commanded mee to be there: and now if I haue found fauour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren: Therefore he commeth not vnto the kings table.
30Then Sauls anger was kindled against Ionathan, and hee said vnto him, ‖Thou sonne of the peruerse rebellious woman, doe not I know that thou hast chosen the sonne of Iesse to thine owne confusion, and vnto the confusion of thy mothers nakednesse?
31For as long as the sonne of Iesse liueth vpon the ground, thou shalt not be stablished, nor thy kingdome: wherefore now send and fetch him vnto mee, for he †shall surely die.
32And Ionathan answered Saul his father, and said vnto him, Wherefore shall hee be slaine? what hath hee done?
33And Saul cast a iauelin at him to smite him, whereby Ionathan knewe that it was determined of his father to slay Dauid.
- 1 Samuel 22:16–18Rank 4 from verse 13
16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house.
17¶ And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord.
18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
16And the king saide, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy fathers house.
17¶ And the king said vnto the ‖footmen that stood about him, Turne and slay the Priests of the LORD, because their hand also is with Dauid, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to mee. But the seruants of the king would not put foorth their hand to fall vpon the Priestes of the LORD.
18And the king said to Doeg, Turne thou and fall vpon the Priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and hee fell vpon the Priests, and slew on that day foure score and fiue persons that did weare a linnen Ephod.
- 1 Samuel 22:7–8Rank 5 from verse 13
7Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;
8That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?
7Then Saul saide vnto his seruants that stood about him, Heare now, ye Beniamites: Will the sonne of Iesse giue euery one of you fields, and Uineyards, and make you all captaines of thousands, and captaines of hundreds:
8That all of you haue conspired against me, and there is none that †sheweth mee, that my sonne hath made a league with the sonne of Iesse, and there is none of you that is sory for me, or sheweth vnto me that my sonne hath stirred vp my seruant against me, to lye in wait, as at this day?
- 2 Kings 6:27Rank 6 from verse 13
- 2 Kings 6:31Rank 7 from verse 13
- 2 Samuel 19:41–1Rank 8 from verse 13
Verse text is unavailable.
Verse text is unavailable.
- Acts 5:28–33Rank 9 from verse 13
28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29¶ Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33¶ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
28Saying, *Did not wee straitly command you, that you should not teach in this Name? And behold, yee haue filled Hierusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this mans blood vpon vs.
29¶ Then Peter, and the other Apostles answered, and saide, Wee ought to obey God rather then men.
30The God of our fathers raised vp Iesus, whom yee slew and hanged on a tree.
31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to bee a Prince and a Sauiour, for to giue repentance to Israel, and forgiuenesse of sinnes.
32And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the holy Ghost, whom God hath giuen to them that obey him.
33¶ When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and tooke counsell to slay them.
- Acts 6:9–11Rank 10 from verse 13
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.
10And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
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.
10And they were not able to resist the wisedome and the spirit by which he spake.
11Then they suborned men which said, We haue heard him speake blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
- John 12:10Rank 11 from verse 13
- Judges 14:15Rank 12 from verse 13
15And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father’s house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?
15And it came to passe on the seuenth day, that they said vnto Samsons wife, Entice thy husband, that hee may declare vnto vs the riddle, lest we burne thee and thy fathers house with fire: Haue yee called vs, †to take that wee haue? is it not so?
- Luke 11:38Rank 13 from verse 13
- Luke 11:53–54Rank 14 from verse 13
53And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things:
54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
53And as he said these things vnto them, the Scribes and the Pharisees began to vrge him vehemently, and to prouoke him to speake of many things:
54Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.
- Matthew 2:16Rank 17 from verse 13
16¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
16¶ Then Herode, when hee saw that hee was mocked of the Wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent foorth, and slewe all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two yeeres olde and vnder, according to the time, which he had diligently enquired of the Wise men.
- Matthew 2:7–8Rank 18 from verse 13
7Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
7Then Herod, when he had priuily called the Wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the Starre appeared:
8And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Goe, and search diligently for the yong child, and when ye haue found him, bring me word againe, that I may come and worship him also.
- Acts 19:24–28Rank 19 from verse 13
24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.
26Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:
27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
24For a certaine man named Demetrius, a siluer smith, which made siluer shrines for Diana, brought no small gaine vnto the craftsmen:
25Whom he called together, with the workemen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we haue our wealth.
26Moreouer, ye see & heare, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath perswaded and turned away much people, saying, that they bee no gods, which are made with hands.
27So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought: but also that the Temple of the great goddesse Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia, and the world worshippeth.
28And when they heard these sayings, they were ful of wrath, & cried out, saying, Great is Diana of y e Ephesians.
- Acts 7:54–59Rank 20 from verse 13
54¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
54¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55But hee being full of the holy Ghost, looked vp stedfastly into heauen, and saw the glory of God, and Iesus standing on the right hand of God,
56And said, Behold, I see the heauens opened, and the Sonne of man standing on the right hand of God.
57Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their eares, and ran vpon him with one accord,
58And cast him out of the citie, and stoned him: and the witnesses layd downe their clothes at a yong mans feete, whose name was Saul.
59And they stoned Steuen, calling vpon God, and saying, Lord Iesus receiue my spirit.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
Open a word for its full definition and concordance.
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 10:13
The start, first part, or earliest point in time, order, or action.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
foolishness
Lack of wisdom, sound judgment, or understanding; folly or absurd conduct.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
To speak or converse; speech or conversation.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
COMBINED MEANING
mischievous
Harmful, hurtful, or intended to cause evil.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Extreme folly; headstrong passion and rashness that act in opposition to reason; Wildness of passion; fury; rage.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
READ BEFORE AND AFTER
Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
12*†The words of a wise mans mouth are gratious: but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
13†The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous madnesse.
Selected passage14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
14*†*A foole also is full of words; a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall bee after him who can tell him?