Ecclesiastes 7
1 melius est nomen bonum quam unguenta pretiosa et dies mortis die nativitatis
A [good] name is better than precious ointment; 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 go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3 melior est ira risu quia per tristitiam vultus corrigitur animus delinquentis
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
4 cor sapientium ubi tristitia est et cor stultorum ubi laetitia
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 melius est a sapiente corripi quam stultorum adulatione decipi
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6 quia sicut sonitus spinarum ardentium sub olla sic risus stulti sed et hoc vanitas
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7 calumnia conturbat sapientem et perdet robur cordis illius
Surely extortion maketh a wise man foolish; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.
8 melior est finis orationis quam principium melior est patiens arrogante
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 ne velox sis ad irascendum quia ira in sinu stulti requiescit
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10 ne dicas quid putas causae est quod priora tempora meliora fuere quam nunc sunt stulta est enim huiuscemodi interrogatio
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
11 utilior est sapientia cum divitiis et magis prodest videntibus solem
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance: yea, more excellent is it for 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 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 considera opera Dei quod nemo possit corrigere quem ille despexerit
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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 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.
15 haec quoque vidi in diebus vanitatis meae iustus perit in iustitia sua et impius multo vivit tempore in malitia sua
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.
16 noli esse iustus multum neque plus sapias quam necesse est ne obstupescas
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
17 ne impie agas multum et noli esse stultus ne moriaris in tempore non tuo
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest 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 shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19 sapientia confortabit sapientem super decem principes civitatis
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.
20 non est enim homo iustus in terra qui faciat bonum et non peccet
Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21 sed et cunctis sermonibus qui dicuntur ne accommodes cor tuum ne forte audias servum tuum maledicentem tibi
Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22 scit enim tua conscientia quia et tu crebro maledixisti aliis
for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23 cuncta temptavi in sapientia dixi sapiens efficiar et ipsa longius recessit a me
All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24 multo magis quam erat et alta profunditas quis inveniet eam
That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can 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 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:
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 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.
27 ecce hoc inveni dicit Ecclesiastes unum et alterum ut invenirem rationem
Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher; [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account:
28 quam adhuc quaerit anima mea et non inveni virum de mille unum repperi mulierem ex omnibus non inveni
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.
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
Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
