Ecclesiastes 10:19

For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money.

Douay-Rheims 1899

In The King James Version

A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.

In Context

18By slothfulness a building shall be brought down, and through the weakness of hands, the house shall drop through.

20Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 10

Cross References

Genesis 43:34Taking the messes which they received of him: and the greater mess came to Benjamin, so that it exceeded by five parts. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Judges 14:10So his father went down to the woman, and made a feast for his son Samson: for so the young men used to do.

2 Samuel 13:28And Absalom had commanded his servants, saying: Take notice when Amnon shall be drunk with wine, and when I shall say to you: Strike him, and kill him, fear not: for it is I that command you: take courage, and be valiant men.

1 Chronicles 29:2And I with all my ability have prepared the expenses for the house of my God. Gold for vessels of gold, and silver for vessels of silver, brass for things of brass, iron for things of iron, wood for things of wood: and onyx stones, and stones like alabaster, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble of Paros in great abundance.

Ezra 1:6And all they that were round about, helped their hands with vessels of silver, and gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with furniture, besides what they had offered on their own accord.

Nehemiah 5:8And I said to them: We, as you know, have redeemed according to our ability our brethren the Jews, that were sold to the Gentiles: and will you then sell your brethren, for us to redeem them ? And they held their peace, and found not what to answer.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 10:17-20

Mutual Duties of Princes and Subjects. 16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 17 Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 18 By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. 19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things. 20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 10:19