Ecclesiastes 7:5-16

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹⁴When 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.

¹⁵I 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.

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