Ecclesiastes 10:14
New International Version
and fools multiply words. No one knows what is coming— who can tell someone else what will happen after them?

New Living Translation
they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.

English Standard Version
A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Berean Standard Bible
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

King James Bible
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

New King James Version
A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

New American Standard Bible
Yet the fool multiplies words. No person knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

NASB 1995
Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

NASB 1977
Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet the simpleminded fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?

Amplified Bible
Yet the fool multiplies words, though no man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after he is gone?

Christian Standard Bible
yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?

American Standard Version
A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

Contemporary English Version
They never tire of talking, but none of us really know what the future will bring.

English Revised Version
A fool also multiplieth words: yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He never stops talking. No one knows what the future will bring, or what will happen after [death]. Who can say!

Good News Translation
A fool talks on and on. No one knows what is going to happen next, and no one can tell us what will happen after we die.

International Standard Version
The fool overflows with words, and no one can predict what will happen. As to what will happen after him, who can explain it?

Majority Standard Bible
Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

NET Bible
yet a fool keeps on babbling. No one knows what will happen; who can tell him what will happen in the future?

New Heart English Bible
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?

Webster's Bible Translation
A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

World English Bible
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn’t know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the fool multiplies words: “Man does not know that which is—And that which is after him, who declares to him?”

Young's Literal Translation
And the fool multiplieth words: 'Man knoweth not that which is, And that which is after him, who doth declare to him?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the foolish one will multiply words: man shall not know what shall be; and what shall be after him, who shall announce to him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
The fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after him?

New American Bible
yet fools multiply words. No one knows what is to come, for who can tell anyone what will be?

New Revised Standard Version
yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A fool multiplies words; a man cannot tell what has been; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And a fool multiplies words; a son of man does not know what has been, and who shows him what will be after him?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A fool also multiplieth words; Yet man knoweth not what shall be; And that which shall be after him, Who can tell him?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A fool moreover multiplies words: man knows not what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wisdom and Folly
13The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. 14Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? 15The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.…

Cross References
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool does not delight in understanding, but only in airing his opinions.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 12:23
A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

James 3:5-6
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 17:27-28
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

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

Proverbs 14:7
Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

1 Corinthians 8:2
The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

1 Timothy 1:7
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or that which they so confidently assert.


Treasury of Scripture

A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

fool

Ecclesiastes 5:3
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

is full of words

Job 34:37
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

Job 35:16
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

a man

Ecclesiastes 3:22
Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

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Able Declare Fool Foolish Full Multiplies Multiplieth Words
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Able Declare Fool Foolish Full Multiplies Multiplieth Words
Ecclesiastes 10
1. observations of wisdom and folly
7. death in life
9. and the day of judgment in the days of youth, are to be thought on














Yet the fool
The term "fool" in Hebrew is "kesil," which often refers to someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the context of Ecclesiastes, the fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but rather someone who disregards God's wisdom and guidance. The fool's behavior is characterized by a lack of discernment and an overconfidence in their own understanding. This sets the stage for the subsequent actions and attitudes described in the verse.

multiplies words
The phrase "multiplies words" suggests excessive talking without substance or purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, verbosity was often associated with folly, as it indicated a lack of self-control and wisdom. Proverbs 10:19 echoes this sentiment: "When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise." The fool's tendency to speak excessively reflects an inner emptiness and a failure to recognize the value of thoughtful, measured speech.

No one knows what is coming
This phrase underscores the theme of human limitation and the unpredictability of the future. In the Hebrew mindset, the future is known only to God, and humans must live with the humility of not knowing what lies ahead. This acknowledgment of uncertainty is a call to trust in God's sovereignty rather than relying on one's own understanding or predictions. It serves as a reminder of the futility of the fool's many words, which cannot alter or predict the future.

and who can tell him
The rhetorical question "and who can tell him" emphasizes the isolation of the fool in his ignorance. Despite his many words, the fool remains unaware of the truth and is unable to receive guidance or correction. This reflects a broader biblical theme where wisdom is associated with the ability to listen and learn, while folly is linked to stubbornness and self-reliance. The fool's isolation is self-imposed, as he rejects the wisdom that could be offered by others or by God.

what will come after him?
The concluding phrase "what will come after him?" highlights the ultimate uncertainty of life and the limits of human foresight. In the context of Ecclesiastes, this serves as a sobering reminder of the transient nature of human endeavors and the importance of living with an eternal perspective. The fool's preoccupation with his own words and ideas blinds him to the reality that life is fleeting and that true wisdom lies in fearing God and keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

(14) A man cannot tell.--This thought occurs repeatedly in this book. (See reff.) The connection here would be better seen if the clause were introduced with "and yet." The fool's courageous loquacity is contrasted with the cautious silence which experience of his ignorance has taught the wise man.

Verse 14. - A fool also is full of words. The word for "fool" here is oaks/, which implies a dense, confused thinker. Alive the word was kesil, which denotes rather the self-confidence of the dull and stupid man. Moreover the fool multiplieth words. He not only speaks foolishly, but he says too much (cutup. Ecclesiastes 5:2). It is not mere loquacity that is here predicated of the fool, though that is one of his characteristics, but, as-the rest of the verse shows, the prating of things about which he knows nothing. He talks as though he knew everything and there were no limitation to human cognition. A man cannot tell what shall be. And yet, or although, no man can really predict the future. The fool speaks confidently of such things, and thereby proves his imbecility. Instead of "what shall be," the Septuagint has, Τί τὸ γενόμενον καὶ τί τὸ ἐσόμενον, "What has been and what shall be;" the Vulgate, Quid ante se fuerit, "What has been before him." This reading was introduced probably to obviate a seeming tautology in the following clause, And what shall be after him, who can tell? But this clause has a different signification from the former, and presents a closer definition. The future intended may be the result of the fool's inconsiderate language, which may have fatal and lasting consequences; or it may refer to the visitation of his sins upon his children, in accordance with the denunciation of Deuteronomy 5:9; Deuteronomy 29:20-22; or it may include the life beyond the grave. The uncertainty of the future is a constant theme; see Ecclesiastes 3:22; Ecclesiastes 6:11, 12; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Ecclesiastes 8:17; and compare Christ's parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-20), and St. James's warning in his Epistle (James 4:13-16).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Yet the fool
וְהַסָּכָ֖ל (wə·has·sā·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5530: A fool

multiplies
יַרְבֶּ֣ה (yar·beh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

words.
דְבָרִ֑ים (ḏə·ḇā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

No
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

one
הָאָדָם֙ (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

knows
יֵדַ֤ע (yê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is coming,
שֶׁיִּֽהְיֶ֔ה (še·yih·yeh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

and who
מִ֖י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can tell
יַגִּ֥יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

him
לֽוֹ׃ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

what
וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

will come
יִֽהְיֶה֙ (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

after him?
מֵֽאַחֲרָ֔יו (mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 10:14 A fool also multiplies words (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 10:13
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