Ecclesiastes 10:8 net — Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wa…

NET Bible

"Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake."

— Ecclesiastes 10:8, NET Bible

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Ecclesiastes 10:8 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 10 — Context

5

I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

6

Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

7

I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

8

Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

9

One who quarries stones may be injured by them; one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

10

If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

11

If the snake should bite before it is charmed, the snake charmer is in trouble.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 10:8 say?
Ecclesiastes 10:8 in the NET Bible reads: “Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 10:8 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 10:8 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 10, verse 8.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 10:8.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 10:8 in?
Ecclesiastes 10:8 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 10:8?
Ecclesiastes 10:8 reads (NET): “Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life One who digs a pit may fall into it, and one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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