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 perfume, and the day of one's death than the day of his 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 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 better.

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 for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than 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 a fool. This also is vanity.

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

Surely the gain of oppression maketh a wise man foolish, and a gift corrupteth 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. Better is the patient in spirit 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 resteth 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 not, “What is the cause that the former days were better than these?” For thou dost 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 estate? yea, it hath an advantage over it for them that 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 defence, and money is a defence. But knowledge hath the advantage. For wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

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

Consider the work of God! Who can make straight that which he hath 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; but look for a day of adversity! for this also, as well as the other, hath God appointed, to the end that a man should not find out any thing which shall be 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 have I seen in my days of vanity. There are righteous men who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked men who live long in their wickedness.

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

Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself over-wise! Why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

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

Be not overmuch wicked; neither be thou a fool! Why shouldst 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 shouldst take hold of this; yea, also, from that withdraw not thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape all those things.

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

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.

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

Truly there is not a righteous man upon the earth who doeth good and sinneth not.

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

Give no heed to all the words which 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 thine own heart knoweth also that even thou thyself hast cursed others.

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

All this have I tried by 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 far off and exceeding 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 applied my mind earnestly to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and intelligence, and to know wickedness and folly, yea, foolishness and 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 found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

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

Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, putting one thing to another to find knowledge.

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.

That which my soul hath hitherto sought, and I have not found, is this: a man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among a thousand have I not found.

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

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