Ecclesiastes 7:19-26 in English

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.