Ecclesiastes 7:1-11 in English

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.

¹ A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be 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 a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

⁶ As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

⁷ For oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

⁸ The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

⁹ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

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

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.

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.

¹ What advantage has a man? for who knows what is good for a man in his life, during the number of the life of the days of his vanity? and he has spent them as a shadow; for who shall tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

² A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

³ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

⁴ Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

⁵ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

⁶ It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

⁷ As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

⁸ for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

⁹ The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

¹⁰ Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

¹¹ Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

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 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 a wise man foolish; and a gift 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.

¹ Having a good reputation MTY is better than fine perfume, and the day that we die is better than the day that we are born.

² It is better to go to a house where people are mourning about someone who has died than to go to a house where people are feasting, because everyone will die some day, and people who are alive should think seriously IDM about that.

³ It is better to be sad than to be always laughing, because being sad can cause us to think more about how we should conduct our lives IDM.

⁴ Wise people who go to where others are mourning think about the fact that some day they also will die, but foolish people PRS do not think about that; they are always MTY laughing.

⁵ It is better to pay attention to someone who is wise rebuking you than to listen to the songs of a foolish person.

⁶ By listening to foolish people laughing we will not learn any more than by listening to the crackling of thorns being burned under a pot. Listening to fools is senseless.

⁷ When wise people say to others, “You must pay me a lot of money for me to protect you,” that causes those wise people to become foolish, and accepting bribes causes people to become unable to do what is fair/just.

⁸ Finishing something is better than starting something, and being patient is better than being proud.

⁹ Do not quickly ◄lose your temper/react to things angrily►, because it is foolish people SYN who become very angry.

¹⁰ Do not say, “Things were a lot better RHQ previously,” because it is people who are not wise who say that.

¹¹ Being wise is better than inheriting valuable things; being wise provides lasting benefits for every person on the earth MTY.

¹ What advantage has a man? for who knows what is good for a man in his life, during the number of the life of the days of his vanity? and he has spent them as a shadow; for who shall tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

² A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

³ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

⁴ Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

⁵ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

⁶ It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

⁷ As the sound of thorns under a cauldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

⁸ for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

⁹ The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

¹⁰ Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

¹¹ Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than oil of great price, and the day of death than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to the house of weeping, than to go to the house of feasting; because that is the end of every man, and the living will take it to their hearts.

³ Sorrow is better than joy; when the face is sad the mind gets better.

⁴ The hearts of the wise are in the house of weeping; but the hearts of the foolish are in the house of joy.

⁵ It is better to take note of the protest of the wise, than for a man to give ear to the song of the foolish.

⁶ Like the cracking of thorns under a pot, so is the laugh of a foolish man; and this again is to no purpose.

⁷ The wise are troubled by the ways of the cruel, and the giving of money is the destruction of the heart.

⁸ The end of a thing is better than its start, and a gentle spirit is better than pride.

⁹ Be not quick to let your spirit be angry; because wrath is in the heart of the foolish.

¹⁰ Say not, Why were the days which have gone by better than these? Such a question comes not from wisdom.

¹¹ Wisdom together with a heritage is good, and a profit to those who see the sun.

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: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart.

³ Vexation 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 in the house of mirth.

⁵ It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than 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 its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.

⁹ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.

¹ What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?

² A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

³ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

⁴ Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

⁵ The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

⁶ It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

⁷ For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

⁸ Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

⁹ Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

¹⁰ Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

¹¹ Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

¹ A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.

² It's better to go to a funeral than to a party. In the end, everyone dies, and those who are still alive should think about it.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.

⁴ Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.

⁵ It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person than to hear the song of fools.

⁶ The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.

⁷ Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.

⁸ Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.

⁹ Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.

¹⁰ Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.

¹¹ Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.

¹ Surely there be many things that increase vanitie: and what auaileth it man?

² For who knoweth what is good for man in the life and in the nomber of the dayes of the life of his vanitie, seeing he maketh them as a shadowe? For who can shewe vnto man what shall be after him vnder the sunne?

³ A good name is better then a good oyntment, and the day of death, then the day that one is borne.

⁴ It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting, because this is the ende of all men: and the liuing shall lay it to his heart.

⁵ Anger is better then laughter: for by a sad looke the heart is made better.

⁶ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth.

⁷ Better it is to heare ye rebuke of a wise man, then that a man should heare the song of fooles.

⁸ For like ye noyse of the thornes vnder the pot, so is the laughter of the foole: this also is vanitie.

⁹ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and the rewarde destroyeth the heart.

¹⁰ The ende of a thing is better then the beginning thereof, and the pacient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit.

¹¹ Be not thou of an hastie spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.

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 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

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 turneth a wise man into a fool; and a gift 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: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.

¹¹ Wisdom is good with an inheritance, yea, a profit to them that see the sun.

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 inquire wisely concerning this.

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

¹ A good name is better than precious oil, and the day of death, better 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; inasmuch as that is the end of all men: and let the living lay it to his heart.

³ Better is vexation than laughing; for through 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 joy.

⁵ It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than that a man should hear the song of fools.

⁶ For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. Also this is vanity.

⁷ For exercising oppression maketh a wise man mad; and bribery corrupteth the heart.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: better is the patient in spirit than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Be not rash in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Thou must not say, How was it that the former days were better than these? for it is not out of wisdom that thou askest concerning this.

¹¹ Wisdom is better than an inheritance, yea, preferable for those that see the sun;

¹ A good name is better than good oil; And the day of death than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to the house of mourning, Than to go to the banquet house: Since this is the end of every man; And the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter: For by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be 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 a reproof of a wise man, Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

⁶ As the sound of thorns under a caldron, So is the laughter of fools: This is also vanity.

⁷ For oppression makes a wise man mad, And destroys his noble heart.

⁸ The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: The patient is better than the high-minded.

⁹ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: For anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Say not, What has happened, That the former days were better than these? For thou dost not inquire in wisdom concerning this.

¹¹ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: And there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than precious perfume, and the day of one's death than the day of his 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 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 for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

⁶ For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool. This also is vanity.

⁷ Surely the gain of oppression maketh a wise man foolish, and a gift corrupteth the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. Better is the patient in spirit 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, “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 estate? yea, it hath an advantage over it for them that see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than costly perfume, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting, for mourning comes to all people at the end of life, so living people must take this to heart.

³ Grief is better than laughter, for after sadness of face comes gladness of heart.

⁴ The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of feasting.

⁵ It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise than to listen to the song of fools.

⁶ For like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so also is the laughter of fools. This, too, is vapor.

⁷ Extortion certainly makes a wise man foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

⁸ Better is the end of a matter than the beginning; and the people patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Do not be quick to anger in your spirit, for anger resides in the hearts of fools.

¹⁰ Do not say, “Why were the days of old better than these?” For it is not because of wisdom that you ask this question.

¹¹ Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good. It benefits those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

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 its beginning: 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 good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better 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 should take this to heart.

³ Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.

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 makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.

⁸ Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

⁹ Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰ Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹ Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.

¹ A good name is better than precious ointments; and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of a feast; for in that house of mourning the end of all men is warned of, and a man living thinketh, what is to coming or to come.

³ Ire or wrath is better than laugh-ing; for the soul of a trespasser is amended by the heaviness of his cheer.

⁴ The heart of wise men is where sorrow is; and the heart of fools is where folly gladness is.

⁵ It is better to be reproved of a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattering of fools;

⁶ for as the sound of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughing of a fool. But also this is vanity.

⁷ False challenge troubleth a wise man, and it shall lose the strength of his heart.

⁸ Forsooth the end of prayer is better than the beginning. A patient man is better than a proud man.

⁹ Be thou not swift to be wroth; for ire resteth in the bosom of a fool.

¹⁰ Say thou not, What guessest thou is the cause, that the former times were better than be now? for why such asking is fond or foolish.

¹¹ Forsooth wisdom with riches is more profitable, and profiteth more to men seeing the sun.

¹ A good name is better than precious ointments (or A good name, or a good reputation, is better than expensive perfume); and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

² It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of a feast; for in that house the end of all men is warned (of), and a man living thinketh, what is to coming, (or for in that house the end of all people is warned of, and the living should think of what is to come).

³ Ire is better than laughing; for the soul of a trespasser is amended by the heaviness of (his) cheer.

⁴ The heart of wise men is where sorrow is; and the heart of fools is where folly gladness is.

⁵ It is better to be reproved of a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattering of fools; (It is better to be rebuked by a wise person, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools;)

⁶ for as the sound of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughing of a fool. But also this is vanity. (for the sound of thorns burning under a pot, is like the laughter of a fool. But this is also empty and futile.)

⁷ False challenge troubleth a wise man, and it shall lose the strength of his heart. (Untrue words, that is, lies and slander, trouble a wise person, and they shall destroy the strength of his heart, that is, his resolve or his determination.)

⁸ Forsooth the end of prayer is better than the beginning. A patient man is better than a proud man.

⁹ Be thou not swift to be wroth; for ire resteth in the bosom of a fool. (Do not thou be quick to get angry; for anger lieth in the heart of a fool.)

¹⁰ Say thou not, What guessest thou is the cause, that the former times were better than be now? for why such asking is fond (or for such questioning is foolish).

¹¹ Forsooth wisdom with riches is more profitable, and profiteth more to men seeing the sun. (For wisdom is more profitable than riches, and profiteth all who see the sun.)

¹ Better is a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth.

² Better to go unto a house of mourning, Than to go unto a house of banqueting, For that is the end of all men, And the living layeth it unto his heart.

³ Better is sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.

⁴ The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, And the heart of fools in a house of mirth.

⁵ Better to hear a rebuke of a wise man, Than for a man to hear a song of fools,

⁶ For as the noise of thorns under the pot, So is the laughter of a fool, even this is vanity.

⁷ Surely oppression maketh the wise mad, And a gift destroyeth the heart.

⁸ Better is the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better is the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit.

⁹ Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, For anger in the bosom of fools resteth.

¹⁰ Say not thou, 'What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.

¹¹ Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And an advantage it is to those beholding the sun.