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Ecclesiastes 10:16

Made Simple — Modern English Translation

Translated by Verse Made Simple Editorial
KJV ORIGINAL
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE

How terrible it is for a country when its king is just a child, and its leaders are feasting early in the morning!

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is warning that a nation suffers when it has immature leadership and officials who are more focused on partying than governing responsibly.

📚 Historical Context

Solomon is describing the chaos that occurs when a nation lacks mature, responsible leadership. In ancient times, kings who were too young often meant the country was actually ruled by advisors or regents, leading to instability. Leaders who 'eat in the morning' refers to those who feast and drink when they should be working, showing they prioritize pleasure over their duties.

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