Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 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.

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.

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.

¹² For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

¹³ Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

¹⁵ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁶ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

¹⁷ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time.

¹⁸ It is well for thee to hold fast by this; also by this defile not thine hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

¹⁹ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²⁰ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin.

²¹ Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.

²³ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

²⁵ I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

²⁶ And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁷ Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, seeking by one at a time to find out the account,

²⁸ which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

²⁹ But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices. Who knows the wise? and who knows the interpretation of a saying?

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.

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.

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.

¹² Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.

¹³ For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

¹⁴ Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

¹⁵ In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

¹⁶ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

¹⁸ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

¹⁹ It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

²⁰ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²¹ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

²² Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

²³ For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

²⁴ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁵ That which is far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

²⁶ I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

²⁷ And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁸ Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, seeking by one at a time to find out the account,

²⁹ which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

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.

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: God hath even made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out any thing that shall be after him.

¹⁵ All this have I seen in the days of my 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 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 that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which 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 a thing more bitter than death, even 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; 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.

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.

¹² We are sometimes protected by being wise like we are sometimes protected by having a lot of money, but being wise is better than having a lot of money, because being wise prevents us from doing foolish things that would cause us to die.

¹³ Think carefully about what God has done. Certainly no one can RHQ cause to become straight the things that God has caused to be crooked.

¹⁴ When things are going well for you, be happy, and when things are not going well for you, remember that God is the one who causes good things to happen and who also causes disasters.

¹⁵ During all the time that I have been alive I have seen a lot of HYP things that seem senseless. I have seen righteous people die while they are still young, and I have seen wicked people remain alive for a very long time in spite of their continuing to be wicked.

¹⁶ So do not think that you are very righteous and do not think that you are very wise, because if you think those things, you will destroy yourself.

¹⁷ If you do what is evil or do what is foolish, you might die while you are still young.

¹⁸ Continue to avoid doing what is evil and doing what is foolish; avoid doing both of those things by continually revering God.

¹⁹ If you are wise, you will be more powerful/influential than the ten most powerful/influential men in your city.

²⁰ There is no one in this world who always does what is right and who never sins.

²¹ Do not pay attention IDM to everything that people say, because if you do that, you might hear your servant cursing you.

²² You know that you have also cursed other people.

²³ I said to myself that I would use my wisdom to study all the things that I have written about, but I was not able to do it successfully.

²⁴ Wisdom seems to be far from me; there is no one RHQ who can truly understand everything.

²⁵ But I decided to investigate things and by my wisdom try to understand the reason for everything. I also wanted to understand why people act wickedly and why they act very foolishly.

²⁶ One thing I learned was that ◄allowing a woman to seduce you/having sex with a woman to whom you are not married► is worse than dying. A woman who tries to seduce men is as dangerous as a trap MET. If you allow her to put her arms around you, it will be as though she will be fastening you with chains. Women like that will capture sinful men, but men who please God will escape from such women.

²⁷ This is what I have learned: I tried to learn more and more about things to try to find out the reason for everything,

²⁸ and I continued to try to learn more, but I could not find all that I was searching for. But one thing that I found out was that among one thousand people I found one righteous man, but I did not find even one righteous woman.

²⁹ But I did learn one thing: When God created people, they were righteous, but they have found many ways to do many evil things.

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.

¹² Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.

¹³ For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

¹⁴ Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

¹⁵ In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

¹⁶ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.

¹⁸ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.

¹⁹ It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

²⁰ Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²¹ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin

²² Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your servant cursing you.

²³ For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your heart; for thus also have you cursed others.

²⁴ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁵ That which is far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?

²⁶ I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

²⁷ And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁸ Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, seeking by one at a time to find out the account,

²⁹ which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man amongst a thousand, but I have not found a woman amongst all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² Wisdom keeps a man from danger even as money does; but the value of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to its owner.

¹³ Give thought to the work of God. Who will make straight what he has made bent?

¹⁴ In the day of wealth have joy, but in the day of evil take thought: God has put the one against the other, so that man may not be certain what will be after him.

¹⁵ These two have I seen in my life which is to no purpose: a good man coming to his end in his righteousness, and an evil man whose days are long in his evil-doing.

¹⁶ Be not given overmuch to righteousness and be not over-wise. Why let destruction come on you?

¹⁷ Be not evil overmuch, and be not foolish. Why come to your end before your time?

¹⁸ It is good to take this in your hand and not to keep your hand from that; he who has the fear of God will be free of the two.

¹⁹ Wisdom makes a wise man stronger than ten rulers in a town.

²⁰ There is no man on earth of such righteousness that he does good and is free from sin all his days.

²¹ Do not give ear to all the words which men say, for fear of hearing the curses of your servant.

²² Your heart has knowledge how frequently others have been cursed by you.

²³ All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.

²⁴ Far off is true existence, and very deep; who may have knowledge of it?

²⁵ I gave my mind to knowledge and to searching for wisdom and the reason of things, and to the discovery that sin is foolish, and that to be foolish is to be without one's senses.

²⁶ And I saw a thing more bitter than death, even the woman whose heart is full of tricks and nets, and whose hands are as bands. He with whom God is pleased will get free from her, but the sinner will be taken by her.

²⁷ Look! this I have seen, said the Preacher, taking one thing after another to get the true account,

²⁸ For which my soul is still searching, but I have it not; one man among a thousand have I seen; but a woman among all these I have not seen.

²⁹ This only have I seen, that God made men upright, but they have been searching out all sorts of inventions.

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live.

¹³ Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing of what shall be after him.

¹⁵ All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his days by his wickedness.

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 cometh forth from them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men that are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

²¹ Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.

²² For also thine own heart knoweth that oftentimes thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁴ Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?

²⁵ I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

²⁶ and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is nets and snares, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁷ See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, searching one by one to find out the reason;

²⁸ which my soul yet seeketh, and I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found.

²⁹ Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

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.

¹² Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

¹³ For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

¹⁴ Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

¹⁵ In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

¹⁶ These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

¹⁷ Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

¹⁸ Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

¹⁹ It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

²⁰ Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

²¹ For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

²² But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

²³ For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

²⁴ I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

²⁵ Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

²⁶ I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

²⁷ And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter’s snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.

²⁸ Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

²⁹ Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.

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.

¹² For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!

¹³ Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!

¹⁴ On a good day, be happy. When a bad day comes, stop and think. God made each day, so you don't know what will happen to you next.

¹⁵ Throughout my life I've seen so much that is hard to understand. Good people who die young despite doing what is right, and wicked people who live long evil lives.

¹⁶ Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise. Do you want to destroy yourself?

¹⁷ On the other hand, don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?

¹⁸ You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.

¹⁹ Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.

²⁰ There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.

²¹ Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly about you,

²² for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!

²³ I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.

²⁴ Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?

²⁵ I turned my thoughts to discover, investigate, and to find out more about wisdom and what makes sense. I wanted to know more about how stupid evil really is, and how ridiculous it is to be a fool.

²⁶ I discovered something more horrible than death: foolishness like a woman who tries to entrap you, who wants to use her mind and hands to catch you and tie you up. Those who follow God will not be caught, but sinners will fall into her trap.

²⁷ This is what I discovered after putting two and two together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.

²⁸ Although I really searched, I didn't find what I was looking for. People say, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman.”

²⁹ But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.

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.

¹² Say not thou, Why is it that the former dayes were better then these? for thou doest not enquire wisely of this thing.

¹³ Wisedome is good with an inheritance, and excellent to them that see the sunne.

¹⁴ For man shall rest in the shadowe of wisedome, and in the shadowe of siluer: but the excellencie of the knowledge of wisedome giueth life to the possessers thereof.

¹⁵ Beholde the worke of God: for who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?

¹⁶ In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man shoulde finde nothing after him.

¹⁷ I haue seene all things in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his iustice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.

¹⁸ Be not thou iust ouermuch, neither make thy selfe ouerwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?

¹⁹ Be not thou wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?

²⁰ It is good that thou lay hold on this: but yet withdrawe not thine hand from that: for he that feareth God, shall come forth of them all.

²¹ Wisedome shall strengthen the wise man more then ten mightie princes that are in ye citie.

²² Surely there is no man iust in the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

²³ Giue not thine heart also to all ye wordes that men speake, lest thou doe heare thy seruant cursing thee.

²⁴ For often times also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast cursed others.

²⁵ All this haue I prooued by wisedome: I thought I will be wise, but it went farre from me.

²⁶ It is farre off, what may it be? and it is a profound deepenesse, who can finde it?

²⁷ I haue compassed about, both I and mine heart to knowe and to enquire and to search wisedome, and reason, and to knowe the wickednesse of follie, and the foolishnesse of madnesse,

²⁸ And I finde more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nettes and snares, and her handes, as bands: he that is good before God, shalbe deliuered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

²⁹ Beholde, sayth the Preacher, this haue I found, seeking one by one to finde the count:

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.

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; God hath made even the one as well as 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 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 the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

²⁰ For 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 tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; 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 applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be 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 Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account;

²⁸ which yet my soul sought, but I found not; 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.

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.

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.

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;

¹² For under the shadow of wisdom a man is equally well as under the shadow of money; but the superior excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to him that possesseth it.

¹³ Consider then the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

¹⁴ On the day of prosperity be happy, but on the day of adversity look on: also this hath God made in equal measure with the other, to the end that man should not find the least to censure him.

¹⁵ All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is many a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is many a wicked man that liveth long in his wickedness.—

¹⁶ Be not righteous over much; neither show thyself over wise: why wouldst thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not wicked over much, and be no fool: why wouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldst take hold of that, and that also from this thou withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God will come forth out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom giveth more strength to the wise than ten rulers which were in the city.

²⁰ For no man is so righteous upon earth, that he should do always good, and never sin.—

²¹ Also take no heed unto all the words that are spoken: lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For oftentimes also doth thy own heart know 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 Far is what formerly was so, and what was deep remaineth deep: who can find it out?

²⁵ Then I turned myself about together with my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and experience, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness.

²⁶ And I find as more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bonds: he that is deemed good before God will escape from her; but the sinner will be caught by her.

²⁷ Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one to the other, to find experience,

²⁸ What my soul constantly sought, but I found it not; one man among a thousand did I find; but a woman among all these did I not find.

²⁹ Lo, this only did I find, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought for many sinful devices.

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.

¹² For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: And the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom Will give life to him that has it.

¹³ Behold the works of God: For who shall be able to straighten Him whom God has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity live joyfully, And consider in the day of adversity: Consider, I say, God also has caused The one to agree with the other for this reason, That man should find nothing after him.

¹⁵ I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: There is a just man perishing in his justice, And there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

¹⁶ Be not very just; Neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

¹⁷ Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: Lest thou shouldest die before thy time.

¹⁸ It is well for thee to hold fast by this; Also by this defile not thy hand: For to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

¹⁹ Wisdom will help the wise man More than ten mighty men which are in the city.

²⁰ For there is not a righteous man in the earth, Who will do good, and not sin.

²¹ Also take no heed To all the words which ungodly men shall speak; Lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.

²² For many times he shall trespass against thee, And repeatedly shall he afflict thy heart; For thus also hast thou cursed others.

²³ All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is far beyond what was, And a great depth, who shall find it out?

²⁵ I and my heart went round about to know, And to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, And to know the folly and trouble And madness of the ungodly man.

²⁶ And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be More bitter than death the woman which is a snare, And her heart nets, Who has a band in her hands: He that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; But the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁷ Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, Seeking by one at a time to find out the account,

²⁸ Which my soul sought after, but I found not: For I have found one man of a thousand; But a woman in all these I have not found.

²⁹ But, behold, this have I found, That God made man upright; But they have sought out many devices. Who knows the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a saying?

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence. But knowledge hath the advantage. For wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

¹³ Consider the work of God! Who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful; but look for a day of adversity! for this also, as well as the other, hath God appointed, to the end that a man should not find out any thing which shall be after him.

¹⁵ All this have I seen in my days of vanity. There are righteous men who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked men who live long in their wickedness.

¹⁶ Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself over-wise! Why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not overmuch wicked; neither be thou a fool! Why shouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yea, also, from that withdraw not thy hand. For he that feareth God shall escape all those things.

¹⁹ Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city.

²⁰ Truly there is not a righteous man upon the earth who doeth good and sinneth not.

²¹ Give no heed to all the words which are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee!

²² For many times thine own heart knoweth also that even thou thyself hast cursed others.

²³ All this have I tried 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 my mind earnestly to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and intelligence, and to know wickedness and folly, yea, foolishness and madness.

²⁶ And I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

²⁷ Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, putting one thing to another to find knowledge.

²⁸ That which my soul hath hitherto sought, and I have not found, is this: a man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among a thousand have I not found.

²⁹ Lo, this only have I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

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.

¹² For wisdom provides protection as money can provide protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to whoever has it.

¹³ Consider the deeds of God: Who can straighten out anything he has made crooked?

¹⁴ When times are good, live happily in that good, but when times are bad, consider this: God has allowed both to exist side by side. For this reason, no one will find out anything that is coming after him.

¹⁵ I have seen many things in my meaningless days. There are righteous people who perish in spite of their righteousness, and there are wicked people who live a long life in spite of their evil.

¹⁶ Do not be self-righteous, wise in your own eyes. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Do not be too wicked or foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this wisdom, and that you should not let go of righteousness. For the person who fears God will meet all his obligations.

¹⁹ Wisdom is powerful in the wise man, more than ten rulers in a city.

²⁰ There is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

²¹ Do not listen to every word that is spoken, because you might hear your servant curse you.

²² Similarly, you know yourself that in your own heart you have often cursed others.

²³ All this have I proven by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was more than I could be.

²⁴ Wisdom is far off and very deep. Who can find it?

²⁵ I turned my heart to learn and examine and seek wisdom and the explanations of reality, and to understand that evil is stupid and that folly is madness.

²⁶ I found that more bitter than death is any woman whose heart is full of snares and nets, and whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken by her.

²⁷ “Consider what I have discovered,” says the Teacher. “I have been adding one discovery to another in order to find an explanation of reality.

²⁸ This is what I am still looking for, but I have not found it. I did find one righteous man among a thousand, but a woman among all those I did not find.

²⁹ I have discovered only this: That God created humanity upright, but they have gone away looking for many difficulties.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man amongst a thousand, but I have not found a woman amongst all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellence 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 shouldst thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷ Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who 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 to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²² For often also thy 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 exceedingly deep, who can find it out?

²⁵ I applied my 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: whoever 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.

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says Kohelet, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³ Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?

¹⁴ In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵ All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.

¹⁶ Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

¹⁷ Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

¹⁸ It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.

¹⁹ Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

²⁰ Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.

²¹ Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;

²² for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.

²³ All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.

²⁴ That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?

²⁵ I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶ I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷ “Behold, I have found this,” says Kohelet, “to one another, to find an explanation

²⁸ which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man amongst a thousand, but I have not found a woman amongst all those.

²⁹ Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”

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.

¹² For as wisdom defendeth, so money defendeth; but learning and wisdom have this moreover, that those give life to them that have them.

¹³ Behold thou the works of God, and see that no man may amend him, whom God hath despised.

¹⁴ In a good day use thou goods, and before eschew thou an evil day; for God made so this day as that day, that a man find not just complainings against him.

¹⁵ Also I saw these things in the days of my nativity; a just or rightwise man perisheth in his rightfulness or rightwiseness, and a wicked man liveth much time in his malice.

¹⁶ Do not thou be just or rightwise over much, neither understand thou more than is needful; lest thou be astonied.

¹⁷ Do thou not wickedly much, and do not thou be a fool; lest thou die in a time not thine.

¹⁸ It is good, that thou sustain a just or rightwise man; but also withdraw thou not thine hand from him; for he that dreadeth God, is not negligent of anything.

¹⁹ Wisdom hath strengthened a wise man, over ten princes of a city.

²⁰ Forsooth no just or rightwise man there is in the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹ But also give thou not thine heart to all words, that be said; lest peradventure thou hear thy servant cursing thee;

²² for thy conscience knoweth, that also thou hast cursed oft other men.

²³ I assayed all things in wisdom; I said, I shall be made wise, and it went away further from me,

²⁴ much more than it was; and the depth is low, who shall find it?

²⁵ I compassed all things with my soul, to know, and to behold, and seek wisdom, and reason, and to know the wickedness of a fool, and the error of unprudent men.

²⁶ And I found a woman bitterer than death, the which is the snare of hunters, and her heart is a net, and her hands be bonds; he that pleaseth God shall escape her, but he that is a sinner, shall be taken of her.

²⁷ Lo! I found this, said Ecclesiastes, one and other, that I should find reason,

²⁸ which my soul seeketh yet; and I found not. I found one man of a thousand; and I found not a woman of all.

²⁹ I found this only, that God made a man rightful or made man right; and he meddled himself with questions without number.

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.)

¹² For as wisdom defendeth, so money defendeth; but learning and wisdom have this moreover, that those give life to them that have them. (For like wisdom defendeth, so money defendeth; but learning and wisdom have this as well, that they give life to those who have them.)

¹³ Behold thou the works of God, and see that no man may amend him, whom God hath despised.

¹⁴ In a good day use thou (thy) goods, and before eschew thou an evil day, (or On a good day, enjoy thy good things, but shun thou them on an evil day); for God made so this day as that day, (so) that a man find not just complainings against him.

¹⁵ Also I saw these things in the days of my nativity; a just man perisheth in his rightfulness, and a wicked man liveth much time in his malice. (And I have seen these things since the day of my birth or in all my empty and futile days; a righteous person perisheth in his righteousness, and a wicked person liveth a great deal of time in his malice.)

¹⁶ Do not thou be just over much, neither understand thou more than is needful; lest thou be astonied. (Do not thou be too good, nor understand thou more than is useful; lest thou be regarded with contempt, or with derision.)

¹⁷ Do thou not wickedly much, and do not thou be a fool; lest thou die in a time not thine. (Do not thou do many wicked things, and do not be a fool; lest thou die before thy time.)

¹⁸ It is good, that thou sustain a just man; but also withdraw thou not thine hand from him; for he that dreadeth God, is not negligent of anything. (It is good that thou sustain the one, but also do not thou withdraw thy hand from the other; for he who feareth God, is not negligent of anything.)

¹⁹ Wisdom hath strengthened a wise man, over ten princes of a city. (Wisdom can strengthen the wise, more than ten leaders of a city.)

²⁰ Forsooth no just man there is in the earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. (But there is no righteous person in the earth who only, or who always, doeth good, and never sinneth.)

²¹ But also give thou not thine heart to all (the) words, that be said; lest peradventure thou hear thy servant cursing thee;

²² for thy conscience knoweth, that also thou hast cursed oft other men. (for thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often cursed other people.)

²³ I assayed all things in wisdom; I said, I shall be made wise, and it went away further from me (or but it went farther away from me),

²⁴ much more than it was; and the depth is low, who shall find it? (much more than it was before; and to such a depth, yea, so low down, that who shall ever be able to find it?)

²⁵ I compassed all things with my soul (or I put my mind upon everything, yea), to know, and to behold, and (to) seek (out) wisdom, and reason, and to know the wickedness of a fool, and the error of unprudent men.

²⁶ And I found a woman bitterer than death, the which is (like) the snare of hunters, and her heart is (like) a net, and her hands be (like) bonds; he that pleaseth God shall escape her, but he that is a sinner, shall be taken of her. (And I found a woman more bitter than death, who is like a hunter’s snare, and her heartis like a net, and her hands be like bonds; he who pleaseth God shall escape her, but he who is a sinner shall be caught by her.)

²⁷ Lo! I found this, said Ecclesiastes, (concerning) one (thing) and (an)other, that I should find (the) reason,

²⁸ which my soul seeketh yet; and (other things) I found not. I found one man of a thousand; and I found not a woman of all. (which my soul yet seeketh; but other things I did not find. I found one man out of a thousand; but I did not find one woman out of all of them.)

²⁹ I found this only, that God made a man rightful or that God made man right; and (then) he meddled himself with questions without number. (I found only this, that God made a person upright, or clear-headed; but then he mixed himself in, or he mixed himself up, with too many questions.)

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.

¹² For wisdom is a defense, money is a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom is, She reviveth her possessors.

¹³ See the work of God, For who is able to make straight that which He made crooked?

¹⁴ In a day of prosperity be in gladness, And in a day of evil consider. Also this over-against that hath God made, To the intent that man doth not find anything after him.

¹⁵ The whole I have considered in the days of my vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there is a wrong-doer prolonging himself in his wrong.

¹⁶ Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate?

¹⁷ Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time?

¹⁸ It is good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all.

¹⁹ The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city.

²⁰ Because there is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and sinneth not.

²¹ Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee.

²² For many times also hath thy heart known that thou thyself also hast reviled others.

²³ All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me.

²⁴ Far off is that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it?

²⁵ I have turned round, also my heart, to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and reason, and to know the wrong of folly, and of foolishness the madness.

²⁶ And I am finding more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is nets and snares, her hands are bands; the good before God escapeth from her, but the sinner is captured by her.

²⁷ See, this I have found, said the Preacher, one to one, to find out the reason

²⁸ (that still my soul had sought, and I had not found), One man, a teacher, I have found, and a woman among all these I have not found.

²⁹ See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they — they have sought out many devices.