Ecclesiastes 7:21
New International Version
Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—

New Living Translation
Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you.

English Standard Version
Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

Berean Standard Bible
Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

King James Bible
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

New King James Version
Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.

New American Standard Bible
Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you,

NASB 1995
Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you.

NASB 1977
Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also, do not give your heart to all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your slave cursing you.

Amplified Bible
Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you,

Christian Standard Bible
Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,

American Standard Version
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

Contemporary English Version
Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you.

English Revised Version
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Don't take everything that people say to heart, or you may hear your own servant cursing you.

Good News Translation
Don't pay attention to everything people say--you may hear your servant insulting you,

International Standard Version
Don't listen to everything that is spoken— you may hear your servant cursing you,

Majority Standard Bible
Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

NET Bible
Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.

New Heart English Bible
Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

Webster's Bible Translation
Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

World English Bible
Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Also to all the words that they speak do not give your heart, that you do not hear your servant reviling you.

Young's Literal Translation
Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also to all the words that shall be spoken thou shalt not give thy heart, that thou shalt not hear thy servant cursing thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So then, do not attach your heart to every word that is spoken, lest perhaps you may hear your servant speaking ill of you.

New American Bible
Do not give your heart to every word that is spoken; you may hear your servant cursing you,

New Revised Standard Version
Do not give heed to everything that people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also take no heed of all words that are spoken by the wicked; neither listen to your servant when he curses you;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And also do not give your heart to all statements that the wicked will utter; do not listen to your servant who insults you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Limits of Human Wisdom
20Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. 21 Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you. 22For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.…

Cross References
Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you will be judged. / For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Proverbs 17:9
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. / Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Proverbs 12:16
A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you:

take no heed

2 Samuel 19:19
And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart.

unto

2 Samuel 16:10
And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?

Isaiah 29:21
That make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside the just for a thing of nought.

1 Corinthians 13:5-7
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; …

Jump to Previous
Attention Curse Curses Cursing Ear Fear Hear Hearing Heart Heed Pay Reviling Seriously Servant Speak Word Words
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Attention Curse Curses Cursing Ear Fear Hear Hearing Heart Heed Pay Reviling Seriously Servant Speak Word Words
Ecclesiastes 7
1. remedies against vanity are, a good name
2. mortification
7. patience
11. wisdom
23. The difficulty of wisdom














Do not pay attention
The Hebrew root for "pay attention" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to hear, listen, or give heed. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this phrase suggests a deliberate choice to not focus on or give weight to every spoken word. The wisdom literature of the Bible often emphasizes discernment and the ability to overlook minor offenses. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching of guarding one's heart and mind against unnecessary distractions or provocations, promoting peace and understanding.

to every word
The phrase "every word" underscores the comprehensive nature of the advice. In the ancient Near Eastern context, words held significant power and were often seen as extensions of one's character and intentions. The caution here is against becoming overly concerned with all spoken words, recognizing that not every word carries equal weight or truth. This reflects a call to wisdom, urging believers to discern which words are worth considering and which are better left unheeded.

that is spoken
The act of speaking, "דָּבַר" (dabar) in Hebrew, is a fundamental human activity that can build up or tear down. In the biblical context, speech is a powerful tool that can reflect the heart's condition. The verse advises against giving undue attention to all spoken words, acknowledging that not all speech is beneficial or constructive. This aligns with the biblical principle of being slow to speak and quick to listen, fostering a spirit of patience and understanding.

or you may hear
The potential to "hear" something undesirable is a reminder of the human tendency to eavesdrop or become overly concerned with others' opinions. The Hebrew word "שָׁמַע" (shama) again emphasizes the act of listening. The verse warns of the consequences of being too attentive to every word, suggesting that such behavior can lead to unnecessary hurt or conflict. This reflects a broader biblical theme of guarding one's heart and mind from negative influences.

your servant cursing you
In ancient times, a servant's curse would have been a serious matter, reflecting a breakdown in the relationship between master and servant. The Hebrew word for "cursing" is "קָלַל" (qalal), which means to despise or treat lightly. The verse acknowledges the reality of human relationships, where misunderstandings and offenses can occur. However, it advises against taking such words to heart, promoting forgiveness and understanding. This aligns with the Christian call to love and forgive others, recognizing that everyone falls short and needs grace.

Verse 21. - Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; literally, give not thy heart, as Ecclesiastes 1:13, etc. Here is another matter in which wisdom will lead to right conduct. You will not pay serious attention to evil reports either about yourself or others, nor regulate your views and actions according to such distortions of the truth. To be always hankering to know what people say of us is to set up a false standard, which will assuredly lead us astray; and, at the same time, we shall expose ourselves to the keen-eat mortification when we find, as we probably shall find, that they do not take us at our own valuation, but have thoroughly marked our weaknesses, and are ready enough to censure them. We have an instance of patience under unmerited reproof in the case of David when cursed by Shimei (2 Samuel 16:11), as he, or one like minded, says (Psalm 38:13), "I, as a deaf man, hear not; and I am as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Yea, I am as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs." Corn. a Lapide comments in words to which no translation would do justice, "Verbaenim non aunt verbera; aerem feriunt non hominem, nisi qui its attendit mordetur, sauciatur." Lest thou hear thy servant curse thee. The servant is introduced as an example of a gossip or calumniator, because he, if any one, would be acquainted with his master's faults, and be most likely to disseminate his knowledge, and blame from such a quarter would be most intolerable. Commentators appositely quote Bacon's remarks on this passage in his 'Advancement of Learning,' 8:2, where he notes the prudence of Pompey, who burned all the papers of Sertorius reread, containing, as they did, information which would fatally have compromised many leading men in Rome.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

pay
תִּתֵּ֖ן (tit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

attention
לִבֶּ֑ךָ (lib·be·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

to every
לְכָל־ (lə·ḵāl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

word
הַדְּבָרִים֙ (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

that is spoken,
יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ (yə·ḏab·bê·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

or
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you may hear
תִשְׁמַ֥ע (ṯiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֖ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

cursing you.
מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃ (mə·qal·le·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 7:21 Also don't take heed to all words (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 7:20
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