ECCLESIASTES 7:9-24

⁹Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

¹⁰Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

¹¹Wisdom is as good as an inheritance: yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.

¹²For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

¹³Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath even made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out any thing that shall be after him.

¹⁵All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

¹⁶Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

¹⁷Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

¹⁸It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

¹⁹Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers which are in a city.

²⁰Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

²¹Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

²²for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

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

²⁴That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?