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 ointment; 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: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to 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 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

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

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools 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 for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than 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 maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.

Better [is] the end of a thing than its beginning: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.

9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation 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, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.

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

12 For wisdom is a defence [as] money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, [that] wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.

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.

13 Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what 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 enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing [of what shall be] after him.

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.

15 All [this] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous [man] that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his days] by his wickedness.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

[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.

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

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] who 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 just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

21 Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.

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

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

For often also thy own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23 All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me.

24 Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?

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

25 I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

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:

26 and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is nets and snares, [and] whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

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.

27 See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, [searching] one by one to find out the reason;

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account:

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

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.

29 Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

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