Ecclesiastes 7
1 melius est nomen bonum quam unguenta pretiosa et dies mortis die nativitatis
A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
2 melius est ire ad domum luctus quam ad domum convivii in illa enim finis cunctorum admonetur hominum et vivens cogitat quid futurum sit
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 melior est ira risu quia per tristitiam vultus corrigitur animus delinquentis
Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.
4 cor sapientium ubi tristitia est et cor stultorum ubi laetitia
The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.
5 melius est a sapiente corripi quam stultorum adulatione decipi
It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.
6 quia sicut sonitus spinarum ardentium sub olla sic risus stulti sed et hoc vanitas
For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.
7 calumnia conturbat sapientem et perdet robur cordis illius
Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.
8 melior est finis orationis quam principium melior est patiens arrogante
Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.
9 ne velox sis ad irascendum quia ira in sinu stulti requiescit
Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.
10 ne dicas quid putas causae est quod priora tempora meliora fuere quam nunc sunt stulta est enim huiuscemodi interrogatio
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 utilior est sapientia cum divitiis et magis prodest videntibus solem
Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.
12 sicut enim protegit sapientia sic protegit pecunia hoc autem plus habet eruditio et sapientia quod vitam tribuunt possessori suo
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 considera opera Dei quod nemo possit corrigere quem ille despexerit
Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.
14 in die bona fruere bonis et malam diem praecave sicut enim hanc sic et illam fecit Deus ut non inveniat homo contra eum iustas querimonias
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 haec quoque vidi in diebus vanitatis meae iustus perit in iustitia sua et impius multo vivit tempore in malitia sua
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 noli esse iustus multum neque plus sapias quam necesse est ne obstupescas
Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.
17 ne impie agas multum et noli esse stultus ne moriaris in tempore non tuo
Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.
18 bonum est te sustentare iustum sed et ab illo ne subtrahas manum tuam quia qui Deum timet nihil neglegit
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 sapientia confortabit sapientem super decem principes civitatis
Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.
20 non est enim homo iustus in terra qui faciat bonum et non peccet
For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.
21 sed et cunctis sermonibus qui dicuntur ne accommodes cor tuum ne forte audias servum tuum maledicentem tibi
But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.
22 scit enim tua conscientia quia et tu crebro maledixisti aliis
For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.
23 cuncta temptavi in sapientia dixi sapiens efficiar et ipsa longius recessit a me
I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,
24 multo magis quam erat et alta profunditas quis inveniet eam
Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?
25 lustravi universa animo meo ut scirem et considerarem et quaererem sapientiam et rationem et ut cognoscerem impietatem stulti et errorem inprudentium
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 et inveni amariorem morte mulierem quae laqueus venatorum est et sagena cor eius vincula sunt manus illius qui placet Deo effugiet eam qui autem peccator est capietur ab illa
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 ecce hoc inveni dicit Ecclesiastes unum et alterum ut invenirem rationem
Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,
28 quam adhuc quaerit anima mea et non inveni virum de mille unum repperi mulierem ex omnibus non inveni
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 solummodo hoc inveni quod fecerit Deus hominem rectum et ipse se infinitis miscuerit quaestionibus quis talis ut sapiens est et quis cognovit solutionem verbi
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?
