Ecclesiastes 7:13-26

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

¹⁴On 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.

¹⁵All 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.—

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

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

¹⁸It 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.

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

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

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

²²For oftentimes also doth thy own heart know that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.—

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

²⁴Far is what formerly was so, and what was deep remaineth deep: who can find it out?

²⁵Then 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.

²⁶And 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.