Ecclesiastes 7
1 A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.
A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.
2 [It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good [warning] to his heart.
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.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.
Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.
5 [It is] better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person than to hear the song of fools.
6 As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.
The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.
7 for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.
Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.
8 The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.
Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.
9 Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.
Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.
10 Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.
Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and [there is] an advantage [by it] to them that see the sun.
Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.
12 For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.
For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!
13 Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?
Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!
14 In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, [I say], God also has caused the one to agree with the other for [this] reason, that man should find nothing after him.
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.
15 I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.
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.
16 Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.
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?
17 Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.
On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?
18 It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth [well].
You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.
19 Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.
20 For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin
There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.
21 Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,
22 For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.
for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!
23 All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.
24 [That which is] far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?
Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?
25 I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account [of things], and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.
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.
26 And I find her [to be], and I will pronounce [to be] more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, [who has] a band in her hands: [he that is] good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.
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.
27 Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, [seeking] by one at a time to find out the account,
This is what I discovered after putting two and two together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.
28 which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.
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.”
29 But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.
But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.
