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?

1A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

1Better <FI>is<Fi> a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.

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.

2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart.

2Better to go unto a house of mourning, Than to go unto a house of banqueting, For that is the end of all men, And the living layeth <FI>it<Fi> unto his heart.

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.

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

3Better <FI>is<Fi> sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.

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.

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

4The heart of the wise <FI>is<Fi> in a house of mourning, And the heart of fools in a house of mirth.

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.

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

5Better to hear a rebuke of a wise man, Than <FI>for<Fi> a man to hear a song of fools,

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.

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

6For as the noise of thorns under the pot, So <FI>is<Fi> the laughter of a fool, even this <FI>is<Fi> vanity.

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.

7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart.

7Surely oppression maketh the wise mad, And a gift destroyeth the heart.

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.

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

8Better <FI>is<Fi> the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better <FI>is<Fi> the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit.

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.

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

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

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.

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

10Say not thou, `What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.

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.

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.

11Wisdom <FI>is<Fi> good with an inheritance, And an advantage <FI>it is<Fi> to those beholding the sun.

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.

12For wisdom is a defence [as] money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, [that] wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.

12For wisdom <FI>is<Fi> a defense, money <FI>is<Fi> a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom <FI>is<Fi> , She reviveth her possessors.

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.

13Consider the work ofGod; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

13See the work of God, For who is able to make straight that which He made crooked?

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.

14In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider:God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing [of what shall be] after him.

14In a day of prosperity be in gladness, And in a day of evil consider. Also this over-against that hath God made, To the intent that man doth not find anything after him.

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.

15All [this] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous [man] that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his days] by his wickedness.

15The whole I have considered in the days of my vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there is a wrong-doer prolonging <FI>himself<Fi> in his wrong.

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.

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

16Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?

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.

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

17Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time?

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.

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

18<FI> It is<Fi> good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all.

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.

19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] that are in a city.

19The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.

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.

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

20Because there is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and sinneth not.

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.

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

21Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee.

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.

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

22For many times also hath thy heart known that thou thyself also hast reviled others.

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.

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

23All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, `I am wise,' and it <FI>is<Fi> far from me.

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,

24Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?

24Far off <FI>is<Fi> that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?

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?

25I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

25I have turned round, also my heart, to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and reason, and to know the wrong of folly, and of foolishness the madness.

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:

26and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is nets and snares, [and] whose hands are bands: whoso pleasethGod shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

26And I am finding more bitter than death, the woman whose heart <FI>is<Fi> nets and snares, her hands <FI>are<Fi> bands; the good before God escapeth from her, but the sinner is captured by her.

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.

27See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, [searching] one by one to find out the reason;

27See, this I have found, said the Preacher, one to one, to find out the reason

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,

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

28(that still my soul had sought, and I had not found), One man, a teacher, I have found, and a woman among all these I have not found.

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.

29Only see this which I have found: thatGod made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

29See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they--they have sought out many devices.

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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?

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