Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

1A good nameH8034isbetterH2896 than preciousH2896 ointmentH8081; and the dayH3117 of deathH4194 than the dayH3117 of one’s birthH3205. 2It is betterH2896 to goH3212 to the houseH1004 of mourningH60, than to goH3212 to the houseH1004 of feastingH4960: forH834 that is the endH5490 of all menH120; and the livingH2416 will layH5414 it to his heartH3820. 3SorrowH3708 is betterH2896 than laughterH7814: for by the sadnessH7455 of the countenanceH6440 the heartH3820 is made betterH3190.1 4The heartH3820 of the wiseH2450 is in the houseH1004 of mourningH60; but the heartH3820 of foolsH3684 is in the houseH1004 of mirthH8057. 5It is betterH2896 to hearH8085 the rebukeH1606 of the wiseH2450, than for a manH376 to hearH8085 the songH7892 of foolsH3684. 6For as the cracklingH6963 of thornsH5518 under a potH5518, so is the laughterH7814 of the foolH3684: this also is vanityH1892.2

7Surely oppressionH6233 maketh a wise manH2450 madH1984; and a giftH4979 destroyethH6 the heartH3820. 8BetterH2896 is the endH319 of a thingH1697 than its beginningH7225: and the patientH750 in spiritH7307 is betterH2896 than the proudH1362 in spiritH7307. 9Be not hastyH926 in thy spiritH7307 to be angryH3707: for angerH3708 restethH5117 in the bosomH2436 of foolsH3684. 10SayH559 not thou, What is the cause that the formerH7223 daysH3117 were betterH2896 than these? for thou dost not enquireH7592 wiselyH2451 concerning this.3

11WisdomH2451isgoodH2896 with an inheritanceH5159: and by it there is profitH3148 to them that seeH7200 the sunH8121.4 12For wisdomH2451 is a defenceH6738, and moneyH3701 is a defenceH6738: but the excellencyH3504 of knowledgeH1847 is, that wisdomH2451 giveth lifeH2421 to them that haveH1167 it.5 13ConsiderH7200 the workH4639 of GodH430: for who canH3201 make that straightH8626, which he hath made crookedH5791? 14In the dayH3117 of prosperityH2896 be joyfulH2896, but in the dayH3117 of adversityH7451 considerH7200: GodH430 also hath appointedH6213 the one as well asH5980 the other, to the endH1700 that manH120 should findH4672 nothingH3972 afterH310 him.6