Ecclesiastes 7

1 A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth.2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.4 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 hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.7 Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.23 All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.24 That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?25 I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account;28 which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Ecclesiastes 7

Chapter 7

Wisdom for Life

1 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume.
And the day you die is better than the day you are born.2 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties.
After all, everyone dies—
so the living should take this to heart.3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
for sadness has a refining influence on us.4 A wise person thinks a lot about death,
while a fool thinks only about having a good time.5 Better to be criticized by a wise person
than to be praised by a fool.6 A fool’s laughter is quickly gone,
like thorns crackling in a fire.
This also is meaningless.7 Extortion turns wise people into fools,
and bribes corrupt the heart.8 Finishing is better than starting.
Patience is better than pride.9 Control your temper,
for anger labels you a fool.10 Don’t long for “the good old days.”
This is not wise.11 Wisdom is even better when you have money.
Both are a benefit as you go through life.12 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything,
but only wisdom can save your life.13 Accept the way God does things,
for who can straighten what he has made crooked?14 Enjoy prosperity while you can,
but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God.
Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

The Limits of Human Wisdom

15 I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people.16 So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself?17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?

18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.t

19 One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town!

20 Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.
21 Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you.

22 For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.
23 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work.24 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find.

25 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.

26 I discovered that a seductive womant is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.
27 “This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle.28 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman!

29 But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.”