Ecclesiastes 7

1 A good name is better than precious oil, and the day of death, better than the day of one's birth.

A good name is better than good 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; inasmuch as that is the end of all men: and let the living lay it to his heart.

[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.

3 Better is vexation than laughing; for through the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of joy.

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 that a man should hear the song of fools.

[It is] better to hear a reproof 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. Also this is vanity.

As the sound of thorns under a cauldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

7 For [exercising] oppression maketh a wise man mad; and bribery corrupteth the heart.

for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: better is the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit.

The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

9 Be not rash in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in bosom of fools.

Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

10 Thou must not say, How was it that the former days were better than these? for it is not out of wisdom that thou askest concerning this.

Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

11 Wisdom is better than an inheritance, yea, preferable for those that see the sun;

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

12 For under the shadow of wisdom [a man is equally well as] under the shadow of money; but the superior excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to him that possesseth it.

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.

13 Consider [then] the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

14 On the day of prosperity be happy, but on the day of adversity look on: also this hath God made in equal measure with the other, to the end that man should not find the least to censure him.

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.

15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is many a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is many a wicked man that liveth long in his wickedness.—

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.

16 Be not righteous over much; neither show thyself over wise: why wouldst thou destroy thyself?

Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

17 Be not wicked over much, and be no fool: why wouldst thou die before thy time?

Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

18 It is good that thou shouldst take hold of that, and that also from this thou withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God will come forth out of them all.

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].

19 Wisdom giveth more strength to the wise than ten rulers which were in the city.

Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 For no man is so righteous upon earth, that he should do always good, and never sin.—

For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

21 Also take no heed unto all the words that are spoken: lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

22 For oftentimes also doth thy own heart know that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.—

For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

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

All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

24 Far is what formerly was so, and what was deep remaineth deep: who can find it out?

[That which is] far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

25 Then I turned myself about together with my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and experience, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness.

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.

26 And I find as more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bonds: he that is deemed good before God will escape from her; but the sinner will be caught by her.

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.

27 Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, [adding] one to the other, to find experience,

Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, [seeking] by one at a time to find out the account,

28 What my soul constantly sought, but I found it not; one man among a thousand did I find; but a woman among all these did I not find.

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.

29 Lo, this only did I find, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought for many [sinful] devices.

But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.