Ecclesiastes 7

1 A good name is better than precious oil, and the day of death, than the day of birth.

A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

2 It 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.

[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good [warning] to his heart.

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

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

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

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

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

[It is] better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

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

As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

7 Surely oppression makes the wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding.

for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

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

Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

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

Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yea, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and [there is] an advantage [by it] to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense. But the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

13 Consider the work of God. For who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?

Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

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

In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, [I say], God also has caused the one to agree with the other for [this] reason, that man should find nothing after him.

15 All this I have seen in my days of vanity. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evil-doing.

I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

16 Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise. Why should thou destroy thyself?

Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

17 Do not much wrong, nor be thou a fool. Why should thou die before thy time?

Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

18 It is good that thou should take hold of this, yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand. For he who fears God shall come forth from them all.

It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth [well].

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

Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth that does good, and sins not.

For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

21 Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.

Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

22 For many times also thine own heart knows that thou thyself likewise have cursed others.

For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

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

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

24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

[That which is] far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

25 I 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.

I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account [of things], and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are chains. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

And I find her [to be], and I will pronounce [to be] more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, [who has] a band in her hands: [he that is] good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

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

Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, [seeking] by one at a time to find out the account,

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

which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

29 Behold, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many contrivances.

But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.