Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

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.