Ecclesiastes 7

1 A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

2 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.

[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good [warning] to his heart.

3 Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

4 The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is 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 be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

[It is] better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

As the sound of thorns under a cauldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

7 Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

8 Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

9 Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

11 Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

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

12 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.

For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

13 Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

14 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.

In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, [I say], God also has caused the one to agree with the other for [this] reason, that man should find nothing after him.

15 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.

I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

16 Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

17 Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

18 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.

It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth [well].

19 Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20 For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

21 But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

22 For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

23 I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

24 Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

[That which is] far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

25 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:

I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account [of things], and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

26 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.

And I find her [to be], and I will pronounce [to be] more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, [who has] a band in her hands: [he that is] good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

27 Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, [seeking] by one at a time to find out the account,

28 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.

which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

29 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?

But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.