Ecclesiastes 7

1Agoodname is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.

1What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?

2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

2A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

3Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

3It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

4Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

5The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

6It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

7Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.

7For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

8Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

9Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

10Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.

11Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

12For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

12Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

13For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.

14Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

15All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

15In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

16These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

17Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

17Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

18Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

19It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

20Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

21Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

21For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

22for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

22But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

23All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

23For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

24I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

25I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.

25Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

26And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

26I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

27Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account;

27And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.

28which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

28Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

29Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

29Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.

30(not in this translation)

30Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word?