Eccl 7
1
What advantage has a man? for who knows what is good for a man in his life, during
the number of the life of the days of his vanity? and he has spent them Gr. in as a shadow; for who shall tell a man what
shall be after him under the sun?
2
A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.
3
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since
this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.
4
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will
be made better.
5
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the
house of mirth.
6
It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
7
As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also
vanity.
8
for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his Gr. the heart of his nobility noble heart.
9
The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than
the high-minded.
10
Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.
11
Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for you do
not enquire in wisdom concerning this.
12
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see
the sun.
13
For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge
of wisdom will give life to him whom has it.
14
Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made
crooked?
15
In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider,
I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other Lit. concerning speech; Heb. «in order that’ for this reason, that
man should find nothing after him.
16
I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in
his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.
17
Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest you be confounded.
18
Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest you should die before your time.
19
It is well for you to hold fast by this; also by this defile not your hand: for Alex. he who fears God shall come forth well
in all respects to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.
20
Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
21
For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin
22
Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest you hear your
servant cursing you.
23
For many times he shall trespass against you, and repeatedly shall he afflict your
heart; for thus also have you cursed others.
24
All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from
me.
25
That which is far beyond what was, and a Comp. Heb. with Gr. great depth, who shall find it out?
26
I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the
account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.
27
And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman
which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he who is good
in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by
her.
28
Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, seeking by one at a time to find out
the account,
29
which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand;
but a woman in all these I have not found.
30
But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out
many devices.