Ecclesiastes 7

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

A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

2 It 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.

[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.

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

Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4 The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is 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 be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery 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 burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now 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 Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

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

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

Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 For 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.

For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

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

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

14 In 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.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

15 These 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.

All [things] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness.

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

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

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

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

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

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

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

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.

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

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

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

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

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

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

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

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

25 I 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:

I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness:

26 And 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.

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

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

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account:

28 Which 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.

Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

29 Only 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?

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.