Ecclesiastes 7
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1A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. 1A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.
2It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart. 2It is better to enter a house of mourning than a house of feasting, since death is the end of every man, and the living should take this to heart.
3Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance 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 merrymaking. 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 for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools. 5It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
6For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless. 6For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.
7Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart. 7Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride. 8The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.
9Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
10Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that. 10Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this.
11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day. 11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.
12For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 12For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
13Consider the work of God: For who can make straight what he has bent? 13Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?
14In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds. 14In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
15During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds. 15In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.
16So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed. 16Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time. 17Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
18It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings. 18It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.
19Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city. 19Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
20For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins. 20Surely there is no righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
21Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you. 21Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.
22For you know in your own heart that you also have cursed others many times. 22For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
23I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this"--but it was beyond my grasp. 23All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.
24Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. 24What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?
25I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly. 25I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.
26I discovered this: More bitter than death is the kind of woman who is like a hunter's snare; her heart is like a hunter's net and her hands are like prison chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is captured by her. 26And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.
27The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item. 27“Behold,” says the Teacher, “I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find an explanation.
28What I have continually sought, I have not found; I have found only one upright man among a thousand, but I have not found one upright woman among all of them. 28While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.
29This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes. 29Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made men upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”
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Ecclesiastes 6
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