Ecclesiastes 7
1 melius est nomen bonum quam unguenta pretiosa et dies mortis die nativitatis
A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.
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's better to go to a funeral than to a party. In the end, everyone dies, and those who are still alive should think about it.
3 melior est ira risu quia per tristitiam vultus corrigitur animus delinquentis
Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.
4 cor sapientium ubi tristitia est et cor stultorum ubi laetitia
Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.
5 melius est a sapiente corripi quam stultorum adulatione decipi
It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person than to hear the song of fools.
6 quia sicut sonitus spinarum ardentium sub olla sic risus stulti sed et hoc vanitas
The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.
7 calumnia conturbat sapientem et perdet robur cordis illius
Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.
8 melior est finis orationis quam principium melior est patiens arrogante
Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.
9 ne velox sis ad irascendum quia ira in sinu stulti requiescit
Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.
10 ne dicas quid putas causae est quod priora tempora meliora fuere quam nunc sunt stulta est enim huiuscemodi interrogatio
Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.
11 utilior est sapientia cum divitiis et magis prodest videntibus solem
Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.
12 sicut enim protegit sapientia sic protegit pecunia hoc autem plus habet eruditio et sapientia quod vitam tribuunt possessori suo
For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!
13 considera opera Dei quod nemo possit corrigere quem ille despexerit
Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!
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
On a good day, be happy. When a bad day comes, stop and think. God made each day, so you don't know what will happen to you next.
15 haec quoque vidi in diebus vanitatis meae iustus perit in iustitia sua et impius multo vivit tempore in malitia sua
Throughout my life I've seen so much that is hard to understand. Good people who die young despite doing what is right, and wicked people who live long evil lives.
16 noli esse iustus multum neque plus sapias quam necesse est ne obstupescas
Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise. Do you want to destroy yourself?
17 ne impie agas multum et noli esse stultus ne moriaris in tempore non tuo
On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?
18 bonum est te sustentare iustum sed et ab illo ne subtrahas manum tuam quia qui Deum timet nihil neglegit
You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.
19 sapientia confortabit sapientem super decem principes civitatis
Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.
20 non est enim homo iustus in terra qui faciat bonum et non peccet
There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.
21 sed et cunctis sermonibus qui dicuntur ne accommodes cor tuum ne forte audias servum tuum maledicentem tibi
Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,
22 scit enim tua conscientia quia et tu crebro maledixisti aliis
for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!
23 cuncta temptavi in sapientia dixi sapiens efficiar et ipsa longius recessit a me
I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.
24 multo magis quam erat et alta profunditas quis inveniet eam
Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?
25 lustravi universa animo meo ut scirem et considerarem et quaererem sapientiam et rationem et ut cognoscerem impietatem stulti et errorem inprudentium
I turned my thoughts to discover, investigate, and to find out more about wisdom and what makes sense. I wanted to know more about how stupid evil really is, and how ridiculous it is to be a fool.
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
I discovered something more horrible than death: foolishness like a woman who tries to entrap you, who wants to use her mind and hands to catch you and tie you up. Those who follow God will not be caught, but sinners will fall into her trap.
27 ecce hoc inveni dicit Ecclesiastes unum et alterum ut invenirem rationem
This is what I discovered after putting two and two together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.
28 quam adhuc quaerit anima mea et non inveni virum de mille unum repperi mulierem ex omnibus non inveni
Although I really searched, I didn't find what I was looking for. People say, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman.”
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
But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.
