Ecclesiastes 7

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

A good name is better than precious ointments: 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; for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to heart.

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

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 where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

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

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

7 Surely the gain of oppression maketh a wise man foolish, and a gift corrupteth the understanding.

Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. Better is the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit.

Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

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

Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

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

Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

11 Wisdom is as good as an estate? yea, it hath an advantage over it for them that see the sun.

Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence. But knowledge hath the advantage. For wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

13 Consider the work of God! Who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?

Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

14 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.

In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

15 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.

These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

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

Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

17 Be not overmuch wicked; neither be thou a fool! Why shouldst thou die before thy time?

Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

18 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.

It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

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

Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

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

For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

21 Give no heed to all the words which are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee!

But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

22 For many times thine own heart knoweth also that even thou thyself hast cursed others.

For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

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

I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

24 That which is far off and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

25 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.

I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

26 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.

And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter’s snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.

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

Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

28 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.

Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.

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

Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word?