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 precious oil; 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 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 Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

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 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: this also [is] vanity.

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

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

Surely oppression turneth a wise man into a fool; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.

8 Better [is] the end of a thing than its beginning: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better 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 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 resteth 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 thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.

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

Wisdom is good with an inheritance, yea, a profit to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom [is] a defense, [and] money [is] a defense: but the excellence of knowledge [is], [that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

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.

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make [that] straight, which he hath made crooked?

Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?

14 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.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as 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 a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness.

All things 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.

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

Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

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

Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 [It is] good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.

It is good that thou shouldest take hold of the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.

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

Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

20 For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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

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

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

22 For often also thy own heart knoweth 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 tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me.

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

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

25 I applied my 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:

I turned about, and applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken 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 the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account:

Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account;

28 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.

which yet my soul sought, but I found not; one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

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

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