Ecclesiastes 7

1 A good name is better than precious oil; 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; 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 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 may be gladdened.

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 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 the wise, than for a man 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 turneth a wise man into a fool; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.

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

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in 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 angry; for anger 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 thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.

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

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, yea, a profit 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, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

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 that straight, which 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 be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing 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 things have I seen in the days of my 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.

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 the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of 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 is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

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

20 For 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 take 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 oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that 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 get wisdom'; 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 That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

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

25 I turned about, and applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, 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 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.

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 Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account;

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

28 which yet my soul sought, but I found not; 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 Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

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