Ecclesiastes 7:5-26

⁵The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

⁶It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

⁷For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

⁸Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

⁹Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

¹⁰Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

¹¹Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

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

¹³For 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.

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

¹⁵In 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.

¹⁶These 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁶I 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: