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 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: 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 banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good [warning] to his heart.

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

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 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 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: this also is vanity.

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

7 Surely extortion maketh a wise man foolish; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.

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

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit is better 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 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 will rest 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 inquire wisely concerning this.

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

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance: yea, more excellent is it for them 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 wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath 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 the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

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

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath even made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out any thing [that shall be] after 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 this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth [his life] in his evil-doing.

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 make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

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

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

Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time.

18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

It is well for thee to hold fast by this; also by this defile not thine hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth [well].

19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.

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

20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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

21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.

23 All this have I proved in 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 That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

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

25 I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is 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 a thing more bitter than death, [even] 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 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 the Preacher; [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account:

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

28 which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

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

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