Ecclesiastes 7

1AgoodH2896nameH8034 is betterH2896 than precious oilH8081; and the dayH3117 of deathH4194, than the dayH3117 of one’s birthH3205. 2It is betterH2896 to go to the houseH1004 of mourningH60 than to go to the houseH1004 of feastingH4960: for that is the endH5490 of all menH120; and the living will lay it to his heartH3820. 3Sorrow is betterH2896 than laughterH7814; for by the sadnessH7455 of the countenance the heartH3820 is madeH3190 glad. 4The heartH3820 of the wiseH2450 is in the houseH1004 of mourningH60; but the heartH3820 of foolsH3684 is in the houseH1004 of mirth.

5It is betterH2896 to hearH8085 the rebukeH1606 of the wiseH2450, than for a manH376 to hearH8085 the songH7892 of foolsH3684. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a potH5518, soH3651 is the laughterH7814 of the foolH3684: this alsoH1571 is vanityH1892. 7Surely extortionH6233 maketh the wiseH2450 man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.

8Better is the endH319 of a thingH1697 than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spiritH7307 is betterH2896 than the proud in spiritH7307. 9Be not hasty in thy spiritH7307 to be angryH3707; for angerH3707 resteth in the bosomH2436 of foolsH3684. 10SayH559 not thou, What is the cause that the formerH7223 daysH3117 wereH1961 betterH2896 than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

11WisdomH2451 is as goodH2896 as an inheritanceH5159; yea, more excellent is it for them that seeH7200 the sunH8121. 12For wisdomH2451 is a defence, even as moneyH3701 is a defence; but the excellency of knowledgeH1847 is, that wisdomH2451 preserveth the lifeH2421 of him that hath it. 13ConsiderH7200 the workH4639 of GodH430: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14In the dayH3117 of prosperity beH1961 joyful, and in the dayH3117 of adversity considerH7200; yea, GodH430 hath madeH6213 the oneH2088 side by side with the other, to the end that manH120 should not findH4672 out anythingH3972 that shall beH1961 after him.

15All this have I seenH7200 in my daysH3117 of vanityH1892: there is a righteousH6662 man that perisheth in his righteousnessH6664, and there is a wickedH7563 man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. 16BeH1961 not righteousH6662 overmuch; neither makeH8074 thyself overwise: whyH4100 shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17BeH1961 not overmuch wicked, neither beH1961 thou foolish: whyH4100 shouldest thou dieH4191 before thy timeH6256? 18It is goodH2896 that thou shouldest takeH270 holdH270 of this; yea, alsoH1571 from that withdraw not thy handH3027: for he that feareth GodH430 shall comeH3318 forthH3318 from them all.

19WisdomH2451 is a strength to the wiseH2450 man more than tenH6235 rulersH7989 that are in a cityH5892. 20Surely there is not a righteousH6662 manH120 upon earthH776, that doeth goodH2896, and sinneth not. 21AlsoH1571 take not heed unto all wordsH1697 that are spokenH1696, lest thou hearH8085 thy servantH5650 curseH7043 thee; 22for oftentimes alsoH1571 thine own heartH3820 knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursedH7043 othersH312.

23All this have I proved in wisdomH2451: I saidH559, I will be wiseH2449; but it was farH7350 from me. 24That which is, is farH7350 off and exceeding deepH6013; who can findH4672 it out? 25I turnedH5437 about, and my heartH3820 was set to knowH3045 and to searchH1245 out, and to seekH1245 wisdomH2451 and the reason of things, and to knowH3045 that wickednessH7562 is follyH5531, and that foolishness is madnessH1947. 26And I findH4672 moreH4480 bitterH4751 than deathH4194 the womanH802 whose heartH3820 is snares and netsH2764, and whose handsH3027 are bands: whoso pleaseth GodH430 shall escapeH4422 from her; but the sinnerH2398 shall be takenH3920 by her. 27Behold, this have I foundH4672, saith the Preacher, laying oneH259 thing to another, to findH4672 out the account; 28which my soulH5315 stillH5750 seeketh, but I have not foundH4672: oneH259 manH120 among a thousandH505 have I foundH4672; but a womanH802 among all those have I not foundH4672. 29Behold, this onlyH905 have I foundH4672: that GodH430 madeH6213 manH120 uprightH3477; but they have soughtH1245 out manyH7227 inventions.