Ecclesiastes 7

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

A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.

2 It 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.

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 should take this to heart.

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

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools 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 for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, 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.

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

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

Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

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

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

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

Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

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

Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

14 In 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.

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

15 All [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.

All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

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

Do not be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

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

Do not be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

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

It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that do not withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all.

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

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

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

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.

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

Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

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

for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

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

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

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

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

25 I 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;

I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

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

I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

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

Look, this have I found, says the Preacher, one to another, to find out the scheme;

28 which 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.

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

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

Look, this only have I found, that God made humankind upright, but they search for many schemes.