Ecclesiastes chapter 7
English Standard Version
1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of birth. 2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. 7Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 8Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. 10Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. 12For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. 13Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
15In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
21Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. 24That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?
25I turned my heart to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness that is madness. 26And I find something more bitter than death: the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her. 27Behold, this is what I found, says the Preacher, while adding one thing to another to find the scheme of things — 28which my soul has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
New International Version
1A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. 2It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. 3Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
7Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
10Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. 11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. 12Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
13Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
15In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness. 16Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself? 17Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
20Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins. 21Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you— 22for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"— but this was beyond me. 24Whatever exists is far off and most profound— who can discover it?
25So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly. 26I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a trap and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner she will ensnare.
27"Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things— 28while I was still searching but not finding— I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all. 29This only have I found: God created mankind upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes."
New American Standard Bible
1A good name is better than good oil, And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every person, And the living takes it to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. 4The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. 5It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise person Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. 7For oppression makes a wise person look foolish, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit. 9Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools. 10Do not say, 'Why is it that the former days were better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. 11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good, And an advantage to those who see the sun. 12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive. 13Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp one thing while not letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with both of them.
19Wisdom strengthens a wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. 20Indeed, there is not a righteous person on earth who always does good and does not ever sin. 21Also, do not take seriously all the words which are spoken, so that you do not hear your servant cursing you, 22for you know that even you have cursed others many times as well.
23I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, 'I will be wise,' but wisdom was far from me. 24What has been is remote and very mysterious. Who can discover it? 25I directed my mind to know and to investigate, and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of foolishness and the foolishness of insanity. 26And I discovered as more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her.
27Behold, I have discovered this,' says the Preacher, 'by adding one thing to another to find an explanation, 28which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these. 29Behold, I have found only this, that God made people upright, but they have sought out many schemes.'
Christian Standard Bible
1A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 2It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart. 3Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad. 4The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure. 5It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than to listen to the song of fools, 6for like the crackling of burning thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile. 7Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the mind. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. 9Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. 10Don’t say, "Why were the former days better than these?" since it is not wise of you to ask this. 11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and an advantage to those who see the sun, 12because wisdom is protection as silver is protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13Consider the work of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
15In my futile life I have seen everything: someone righteous perishes in spite of his righteousness, and someone wicked lives long in spite of his evil. 16Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.
19Wisdom makes the wise person stronger than ten rulers of a city. 20There is certainly no one righteous on the earth who does good and never sins.
21Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you, 22for in your heart you know that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23I have tested all this by wisdom. I resolved, "I will be wise," but it was beyond me. 24What exists is beyond reach and very deep. Who can discover it? 25I turned my thoughts to know, explore, and examine wisdom and an explanation for things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity and folly is madness. 26And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a trap: her heart a net and her hands chains. The one who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be captured by her. 27"Look," says the Teacher, "I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find out the explanation, 28which my soul continually searches for but does not find: I found one person in a thousand, but none of those was a woman. 29Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes."
New Living Translation
1A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. 2Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies — so the living should take this to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. 4A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.
5Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. 6A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless.
11Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. 12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.
13Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? 14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
15I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. 16So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.
21Don’t eavesdrop on others — you may hear your servant curse you. 22For you know how often you yourself have cursed others.
23I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, 'I am determined to be wise.' But it didn’t work. 24Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 25I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.
27This is my conclusion,' says the Teacher. 'I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 28Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! 29But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.'
King James Version
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
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 good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
22For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. 23All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
New King James Version
1A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; 2Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. 12For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
15I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? 17Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all. 19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city. 20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin. 21Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others. 23All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; But it was far from me. 24 As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find it out? 25 I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, 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, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her. 27Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher, “ Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason, 28Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, But a woman among all these I have not found. 29Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes.”
THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.
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THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®, NIV® Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible Copyright© 1960 - 2020 by The Lockman Foundation.
Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright© 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by Permission.