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.”

ECCLESIASTES 7

The Best in Life

1  t A good reputation
at the time of death
is better than loving care
at the time of birth.t

2 It's better to go to a funeral
than to attend a feast;
funerals remind us
that we all must die.

3 Choose sorrow over laughter
because a sad face
may hide a happy heart.

4 A sensible person mourns,
but fools always laugh.

5 Correction from someone wise
is better by far
than praise from fools.

6 Foolish laughter is stupid.
It sounds like thorns
crackling in a fire.

7 Corruptiont makes fools
of sensible people,
and bribes can ruin you.

8 Something completed is better
than something just begun;
patience is better
than too much pride.

9  t Only fools get angry quickly
and hold a grudge.

10 It isn't wise to ask,
“Why is everything worse
than it used to be?”

11 Having wisdom is better
than an inheritance.

12 Wisdom will protect you
just like money;
knowledge with good sense
will lead you to life.

13 Think of what God has done!
If God makes something crooked,
can you make it straight?

14 When times are good,
you should be cheerful;
when times are bad,
think about what it means.
God makes them both
to keep us from knowing
what will happen next.

Some of Life's Questions

18 Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.

19 Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city.

20 No one in this world always does right.
21 Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you.

22 Haven't you cursed many others?
23 I told myself that I would be smart and try to understand all this, but it was too much for me. 24 The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep.

25 So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.
26 Here is what I discovered: A bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for. 27 With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together, 28 but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman. 29 I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.