Ecclesiastes 10:1 - Compare All Versions
Ecclesiastes 10:1 MSG (The Message)
Dead flies in perfume make it stink, And a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 KJV (King James Version)
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 NASB1995 (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 NCV (New Century Version)
Dead flies can make even perfume stink. In the same way, a little foolishness can spoil wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 ASV (American Standard Version)
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 NIV (New International Version)
As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 NKJV (New King James Version)
Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 AMP (Amplified Bible)
Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 NLT (New Living Translation)
As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.
Ecclesiastes 10:1 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.