7 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.