God’s Word Translation
Ecclesiastes 7:8
8The end of something is better than its beginning. It is better to be patient than arrogant.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
- New International Version (NIV)The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Context of Ecclesiastes 7:8
6The laughter of a fool is like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot. Even this is pointless. 7Oppression can turn a wise person into a fool, and a bribe can corrupt the mind. The end of something is better than its beginning. It is better to be patient than arrogant. 9Don’t be quick to get angry, because anger is typical of fools. 10Don’t ask, “Why were things better in the old days than they are now?” It isn’t wisdom that leads you to ask this!
Read all of Ecclesiastes 7Ecclesiastes 7:8 word by word
ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־ר֖וּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־רֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 7:8
- Psalms 126:5Those who cry while they plant will joyfully sing while they harvest.
- Isaiah 10:24The Almighty Lord of Armies says: My people who live in Zion, don’t be afraid of the Assyrians when they strike with a rod or when they raise their staff against you as the Egyptians did.
- Luke 16:25“Abraham replied, ‘Remember, my child, that you had a life filled with good times, while Lazarus’ life was filled with misery. Now he has peace here, while you suffer.
- James 5:11We consider those who endure to be blessed. You have heard about Job’s endurance. You saw that the Lord ended Job’s suffering because the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore, your minds must be clear and ready for action. Place your confidence completely in what God’s kindness will bring you when Jesus Christ appears again.
- Proverbs 13:10Arrogance produces only quarreling, but those who take advice gain wisdom.
- Proverbs 14:29A person of great understanding is patient, but a short temper is the height of stupidity.
- Proverbs 15:18A hothead stirs up a fight, but one who holds his temper calms disputes.
- Proverbs 16:32Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
- Proverbs 28:25A greedy person stirs up a fight, but whoever trusts the Lord prospers.
- Luke 21:19By your endurance you will save your life.
- Romans 2:7He will give everlasting life to those who search for glory, honor, and immortality by persisting in doing what is good. But he will bring
- Hebrews 10:36You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised.
- James 5:8You, too, must be patient. Don’t give up hope. The Lord will soon be here.
- 1 Peter 2:20What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you.
- 1 Peter 5:5Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders. Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8Better is the end - We can then judge of the whole, and especially if the matter relate to the conduct of Divine Providence. At the beginning we are often apt to make very rash conjectures, and often suppose that such and such things are against us; and that every thing is going wrong. Dr. Byrom gives good advice on such a subject: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run: God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8Better - Inasmuch as something certain is attained, man contemplates the end throughout an entire course of action, and does not rest upon the beginning. Patient proud - literally, “Long,” long-suffering “high,” in the sense of impatient.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The event of our trials and difficulties is often better than at first we thought. Surely it is better to be patient in spirit, than to be proud and hasty. Be not soon angry, nor quick in resenting an affront. Be not long angry; though anger may come into the bosom of a wise man, it passes through it as a way-faring man; it dwells only in the bosom of fools. It is folly to cry out upon the badness of our times, when we have more reason to cry…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8It is better to finish a project with patience than to start it with boastful words.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. connected with Ec 7:7. Let the "wise" wait for "the end," and the "oppressions" which now (in "the beginning") perplex their faith, will be found by God's working to be overruled to their good. "Tribulation worketh patience" (Ro 5:3), which is infinitely better than "the proud spirit" that prosperity might have generated in them, as it has in fools (Psa 73:2, 3, 12-14, 17-26; Jas 5:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 7:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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