Ecclesiastes 7:5-18

⁵It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, Than for a man to hear the song of fools.

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

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

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

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

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

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

¹²For 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.

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

¹⁴In 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.

¹⁵I 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.

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

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

¹⁸It 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.