Ecclesiastes 7
1 A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.
A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2 It's better to go to a funeral than to a party. In the end, everyone dies, and those who are still alive should think about it.
[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 Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.
Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4 Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.
The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.
5 It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person 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 The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.
7 Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8 Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.
Better [is] the end of a thing than its beginning: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.
9 Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10 Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.
Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.
Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance: and [by it there is] profit to them that see the sun.
12 For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!
For wisdom [is] a defense, [and] money [is] a defense: but the excellence of knowledge [is], [that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13 Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!
Consider the work of God: for who can make [that] straight, which he hath made crooked?
14 On a good day, be happy. When a bad day comes, stop and think. God made each day, so you don't know what will happen to you next.
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 Throughout my life I've seen so much that is hard to understand. Good people who die young despite doing what is right, and wicked people who live long evil lives.
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 Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise. Do you want to destroy yourself?
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
17 On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?
18 You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.
[It is] good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.
19 Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] who are in the city.
20 There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.
For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,
Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!
For often also thy own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23 I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me.
24 Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?
That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
25 I turned my thoughts to discover, investigate, and to find out more about wisdom and what makes sense. I wanted to know more about how stupid evil really is, and how ridiculous it is to be a fool.
I applied my 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 I discovered something more horrible than death: foolishness like a woman who tries to entrap you, who wants to use her mind and hands to catch you and tie you up. Those who follow God will not be caught, but sinners will fall into her trap.
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27 This is what I discovered after putting two and two together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account:
28 Although I really searched, I didn't find what I was looking for. People say, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman.”
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 But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
