< Ecclesiastes 7

[1] A good name is better than precious ointment; 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 better.

[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 oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

[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 enquire wisely concerning this.

[11] Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

[12] For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have 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, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

[15] All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

[16] Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

[17] Be not over much 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 this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

[19] Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

[20] For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

[21] Also take no 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 by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

[24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

[25] I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:

[26] And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as 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, counting one by one, to find out the account:

[28] Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

[29] Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.