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 precious 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 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 by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

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

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 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.

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 oppression 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 the beginning of it. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

12 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.

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, 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.

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.

15 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

18 [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.

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.

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

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

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

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

21 Also take no 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 thou hear thy servant curse thee.

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

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

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

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

24 That which 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 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:

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.

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.

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.

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

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

28 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.

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.

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

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