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28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹ט֥וֹב שֵׁ֖ם מִשֶּׁ֣מֶן ט֑וֹב וְי֣וֹם הַמָּ֔וֶת מִיּ֖וֹם הִוָּלְדֽוֹ׃ ²ט֞וֹב לָלֶ֣כֶת אֶל־ בֵּֽית־ אֵ֗בֶל מִלֶּ֙כֶת֙ אֶל־ בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בַּאֲשֶׁ֕ר ה֖וּא ס֣וֹף כָּל־ הָאָדָ֑ם וְהַחַ֖י יִתֵּ֥ן אֶל־ לִבּֽוֹ׃ ³ט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִשְּׂחֹ֑ק כִּֽי־ בְרֹ֥עַ פָּנִ֖ים יִ֥יטַב לֵֽב׃ ⁴לֵ֤ב חֲכָמִים֙ בְּבֵ֣ית אֵ֔בֶל וְלֵ֥ב כְּסִילִ֖ים בְּבֵ֥ית שִׂמְחָֽה׃ ⁵ט֕וֹב לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ גַּעֲרַ֣ת חָכָ֑ם מֵאִ֕ישׁ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ שִׁ֥יר כְּסִילִֽים׃ ⁶כִּ֣י כְק֤וֹל הַסִּירִים֙ תַּ֣חַת הַסִּ֔יר כֵּ֖ן שְׂחֹ֣ק הַכְּסִ֑יל וְגַם־ זֶ֖ה הָֽבֶל׃ ⁷כִּ֥י הָעֹ֖שֶׁק יְהוֹלֵ֣ל חָכָ֑ם וִֽיאַבֵּ֥ד אֶת־ לֵ֖ב מַתָּנָֽה׃ ⁸ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽרֵאשִׁית֑וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־ ר֖וּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־ רֽוּחַ׃ ⁹אַל־ תְּבַהֵ֥ל בְּרֽוּחֲךָ֖ לִכְע֑וֹס כִּ֣י כַ֔עַס בְּחֵ֥יק כְּסִילִ֖ים יָנֽוּחַ׃ ¹⁰אַל־ תֹּאמַר֙ מֶ֣ה הָיָ֔ה שֶׁ֤הַיָּמִים֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים הָי֥וּ טוֹבִ֖ים מֵאֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֛י לֹ֥א מֵחָכְמָ֖ה שָׁאַ֥לְתָּ עַל־ זֶֽה׃ ¹¹טוֹבָ֥ה חָכְמָ֖ה עִֽם־ נַחֲלָ֑ה וְיֹתֵ֖ר לְרֹאֵ֥י הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ ¹²כִּ֛י בְּצֵ֥ל הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה בְּצֵ֣ל הַכָּ֑סֶף וְיִתְר֣וֹן דַּ֔עַת הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תְּחַיֶּ֥ה בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃ ¹³רְאֵ֖ה אֶת־ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֣י מִ֤י יוּכַל֙ לְתַקֵּ֔ן אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִוְּתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁴בְּי֤וֹם טוֹבָה֙ הֱיֵ֣ה בְט֔וֹב וּבְי֥וֹם רָעָ֖ה רְאֵ֑ה גַּ֣ם אֶת־ זֶ֤ה לְעֻמַּת־ זֶה֙ עָשָׂ֣ה הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל־ דִּבְרַ֗ת שֶׁלֹּ֨א יִמְצָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם אַחֲרָ֖יו מְאֽוּמָה׃ ¹⁵אֶת־ הַכֹּ֥ל רָאִ֖יתִי בִּימֵ֣י הֶבְלִ֑י יֵ֤שׁ צַדִּיק֙ אֹבֵ֣ד בְּצִדְק֔וֹ וְיֵ֣שׁ רָשָׁ֔ע מַאֲרִ֖יךְ בְּרָעָתֽוֹ׃ ¹⁶אַל־ תְּהִ֤י צַדִּיק֙ הַרְבֵּ֔ה וְאַל־ תִּתְחַכַּ֖ם יוֹתֵ֑ר לָ֖מָּה תִּשּׁוֹמֵֽם׃ ¹⁷אַל־ תִּרְשַׁ֥ע הַרְבֵּ֖ה וְאַל־ תְּהִ֣י סָכָ֑ל לָ֥מָּה תָמ֖וּת בְּלֹ֥א עִתֶּֽךָ׃ ¹⁸ט֚וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֶּאֱחֹ֣ז בָּזֶ֔ה וְגַם־ מִזֶּ֖ה אַל־ תַּנַּ֣ח אֶת־ יָדֶ֑ךָ כִּֽי־ יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים יֵצֵ֥א אֶת־ כֻּלָּֽם׃ ¹⁹הַֽחָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶחָכָ֑ם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּעִֽיר׃ ²⁰כִּ֣י אָדָ֔ם אֵ֥ין צַדִּ֖יק בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֶׂה־ טּ֖וֹב וְלֹ֥א יֶחֱטָֽא׃ ²¹גַּ֤ם לְכָל־ הַדְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ אַל־ תִּתֵּ֖ן לִבֶּ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא־ תִשְׁמַ֥ע אֶֽת־ עַבְדְּךָ֖ מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃ ²²כִּ֛י גַּם־ פְּעָמִ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת יָדַ֣ע לִבֶּ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר גַּם־ קִלַּ֥לְתָּ אֲחֵרִֽים׃ ²³כָּל־ זֹ֖ה נִסִּ֣יתִי בַֽחָכְמָ֑ה אָמַ֣רְתִּי אֶחְכָּ֔מָה וְהִ֖יא רְחוֹקָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ ²⁴רָח֖וֹק מַה־ שֶּׁהָיָ֑ה וְעָמֹ֥ק׀ עָמֹ֖ק מִ֥י יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃ ²⁵סַבּ֨וֹתִֽי אֲנִ֤י וְלִבִּי֙ לָדַ֣עַת וְלָת֔וּר וּבַקֵּ֥שׁ חָכְמָ֖ה וְחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן וְלָדַ֙עַת֙ רֶ֣שַׁע כֶּ֔סֶל וְהַסִּכְל֖וּת הוֹלֵלֽוֹת׃ ²⁶וּמוֹצֶ֨א אֲנִ֜י מַ֣ר מִמָּ֗וֶת אֶת־ הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁר־ הִ֨יא מְצוֹדִ֧ים וַחֲרָמִ֛ים לִבָּ֖הּ אֲסוּרִ֣ים יָדֶ֑יהָ ט֞וֹב לִפְנֵ֤י הָאֱלֹהִים֙ יִמָּלֵ֣ט מִמֶּ֔נָּה וְחוֹטֵ֖א יִלָּ֥כֶד בָּֽהּ׃ ²⁷רְאֵה֙ זֶ֣ה מָצָ֔אתִי אָמְרָ֖ה קֹהֶ֑לֶת אַחַ֥ת לְאַחַ֖ת לִמְצֹ֥א חֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃ ²⁸אֲשֶׁ֛ר עוֹד־ בִּקְשָׁ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י וְלֹ֣א מָצָ֑אתִי אָדָ֞ם אֶחָ֤ד מֵאֶ֙לֶף֙ מָצָ֔אתִי וְאִשָּׁ֥ה בְכָל־ אֵ֖לֶּה לֹ֥א מָצָֽאתִי׃ ²⁹לְבַד֙ רְאֵה־ זֶ֣ה מָצָ֔אתִי אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֧ה הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־ הָאָדָ֖ם יָשָׁ֑ר וְהֵ֥מָּה בִקְשׁ֖וּ חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת רַבִּֽים׃ (WLC)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of ones birth.

²It is better 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 lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the 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. 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. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 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 enquire 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 defence, and money is a defence: 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. ¹⁵All 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. 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 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. ²⁰For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. ²¹Also take no 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 by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. ²⁴That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? ²⁵I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: ²⁶And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. ²⁷Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: ²⁸Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.(KJV)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of 1's birth.

²It is better 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 lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the 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. 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. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 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 enquire 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 defence, and money is a defence: 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 1 over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. ¹⁵All 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. 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 this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. ¹⁹Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than 10 mighty men which are in the city. ²⁰For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. ²¹Also take no 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 by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. ²⁴That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? ²⁵I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness: ²⁶And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. ²⁷Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting 1 by 1, to find out the account: ²⁸Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: 1 man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.(KJV/NC)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth. ²It is better 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 lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance 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 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 extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 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; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him. ¹⁵All this have I seen in my days of 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 overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? ¹⁷Be not overmuch 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 thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all. ¹⁹Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that 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? ²⁵I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness. ²⁶And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. ²⁷Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account; ²⁸which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.(ASV)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A GOOD name is better than a precious ointment; and the day of one's death than the day of his birth. ²It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting; for this is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the 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. ⁵It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. ⁶For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of fools; this is also vanity.

⁷¶ Surely slander destroys a wise man; and a bribe destroys the heart. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; and the patient man in humbleness is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹Be not hastily angry, for anger rests in the bosom of the fools. ¹⁰Say not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For you do not enquire wisely concerning this.

¹¹¶ Wisdom is better than weapons; yea, it is better for those who see the light of the truth. ¹²For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to him who possesses it. ¹³Consider the work of God; for who can straighten him who is crooked? ¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, but look after yourself in the day of adversity. God also has made one thing opposite to another, to the end that man should know nothing after he is gone. ¹⁵All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. ¹⁶Be not overrighteous; neither make yourself overwise; lest you should become stupid. ¹⁷Be not excessively wicked, lest you be hated much; neither be foolish, lest you die before your time. ¹⁸It is good that you should take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not your hand; for he who reverences God shall follow all these things. ¹⁹Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten princes that are in the city. ²⁰For there is no just man upon the earth, that does good, and sins not. ²¹Also take no heed of all words that are spoken by the wicked; neither listen to your servant when he curses you; ²²For your heart knows that you yourself have oftentimes cursed others.

²³¶ I have tried all these things by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but wisdom was far from me. ²⁴Yea, wisdom was far off; it also had depth beyond depth; who can find it out? ²⁵I went around and applied my heart to know and to visit and to search for wisdom and reason and to know the wickedness of the fool, even folly and transgression. ²⁶And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands bind him who is good; he who is good in the presence of God shall escape from her; but he who sins shall be caught by her. ²⁷Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, weighing one thing against another to find out the purposes, ²⁸And again my soul sought but I found not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all these I have not found. ²⁹But behold, this thing I have found, that God has made men upright; but they have sought out many devices. (LAM)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A 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 men, and the living will lay it to heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of countenance 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. ⁶For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. ⁷Surely oppression makes the wise man foolish, and a bribe corrupts the mind. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹Be not quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom 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 evil-doing. ¹⁶Be not righteous overmuch, and do not make yourself overwise; why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷Be not wicked overmuch, 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 he who fears God shall come forth from them all.

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

²⁰Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

²¹Do not give heed to all the things that men say, lest you hear your servant cursing you; ²²your heart knows that many times you have yourself cursed others.

²³All this I have tested by wisdom; I said, "I will be wise"; but it was far from me. ²⁴That which is, is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out? ²⁵I turned my mind to know and to search out and to seek wisdom and the sum of things, and to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness which is madness. ²⁶And I found 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, adding one thing to another to find the sum, ²⁸which my mind 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. ²⁹Behold, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices. (RSV)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 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 every man; the living should take this to heart. ³Sorrow 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 a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools. ⁶Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless. ⁷Extortion turns a wise man 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. ⁹Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. 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: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.

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: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

¹⁵In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his 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? ¹⁸It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. ¹⁹Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. ²⁰There is not a righteous man on earth 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 wisdom may be, it 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 made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."(NIV)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth. ²It is better 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 should take this to heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. 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 extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.

The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. ¹⁰Don't say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. ¹²For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked? ¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evil-doing. ¹⁶Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time? ¹⁸It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that don't withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all. ¹⁹Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. ²⁰Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin. ²¹Also don't take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; ²²for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise 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 exceedingly deep. Who can find it out? ²⁵I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷Behold, this have I found, says the Preacher, one to another, to find out the scheme; ²⁸which my soul still seeks; but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes.(WEB)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth. ²It is better 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 should take this to heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. 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 extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than its beginning.

The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. ¹⁰Don't say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For you do not ask wisely about this.

¹¹Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. ¹²For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

¹³Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked? ¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.

¹⁵All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing. ¹⁶Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? ¹⁷Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time? ¹⁸It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that don't withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all. ¹⁹Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. ²⁰Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin. ²¹Also don't take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; ²²for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise 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 exceedingly deep. Who can find it out? ²⁵I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.

²⁶I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.

²⁷Behold, this have I found, says the Preacher, one to another, to find out the scheme; ²⁸which my soul still seeks; but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. ²⁹Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes.(WEB/HNV)

28 Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 ¹A GOOD name is better than a precious ointment; and the day of one's death than the day of his birth. ²It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting; for this is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ³Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the 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. ⁵It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. ⁶For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of fools; this is also vanity.

⁷Surely slander destroys a wise man; and a bribe destroys the heart. ⁸Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; and the patient man in humbleness is better than the proud in spirit. ⁹Do not be hastily angry, for anger rests in the embrace of the fools. ¹⁰Do not say, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For you do not ask wisely concerning this.

¹¹Wisdom is better than weapons; yes, it is better for those who see the light of the truth. ¹²For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money; and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to him who possesses it. ¹³Consider the work of God; for who can straighten him who is crooked? ¹⁴In the day of prosperity be joyful, but look after yourself in the day of adversity. God has also made one thing opposite to another, to the end that man should know nothing after he is gone. ¹⁵All things I have seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. ¹⁶Do not be overrighteous; nor make yourself overwise; lest you should become stupid. ¹⁷Do not be excessively wicked, lest you be greatly hated; nor be foolish, lest you die before your time. ¹⁸It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, from this also do not withdraw your hand; for he who reverences God will follow all these things. ¹⁹Wisdom strengthens the wise more than 10 princes that are in the city. ²⁰For there is no just man on the earth, that does good, and does not sin. ²¹And pay no attention to all th words that are spoken by the wicked; nor listen to your servant when he curses you; ²²For your heart knows that you yourself have often cursed others.

²³I have tried all these things by wisdom; I said, I will be wise; but wisdom was far from me. ²⁴Yes, wisdom was far off; it also had depth beyond depth; who can find it out? ²⁵I went around and applied my heart to know and to visit and to search for wisdom and reason and to know the wickedness of the fool, even folly and transgression. ²⁶And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands bind him who is good; he who is good in the presence of God will escape from her; but he who sins will be caught by her. ²⁷Look, I have found this, says the Preacher, weighing one thing against another to find out the purposes, ²⁸And again my soul sought but I did not find: 1 man among 1,000 I have found; but a woman among all these I have not found. ²⁹But look, this thing I have found, that God has made men upright; but they have sought out many devices. (BRB)