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 precious ointment; and the day of death 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; 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 house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it 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 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 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 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. Also this is vanity.

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

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

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

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

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

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

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth 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 thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

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

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit 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 is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

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

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath 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 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.

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.—

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise 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 just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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

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

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

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise 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 proved by 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 off, and exceeding deep, who can 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 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:

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 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.

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

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, 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 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.

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

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