1A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
2A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.
3¶ It 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.
4¶ It 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.
5Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.7.3 Sorrow: or, Anger
6Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.7.3 Sorrow: or, Anger
7The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
8The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
9It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
10It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
11For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.7.6 crackling: Heb. sound
12For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.7.6 crackling: Heb. sound
13¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
14¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
15Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
16Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
17Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
18Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
19Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.7.10 wisely: Heb. out of wisdom
20Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.7.10 wisely: Heb. out of wisdom
21¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.7.11 good…: or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too
22¶ Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.7.11 good…: or, as good as an inheritance, yea, better too
23For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.7.12 defence: Heb. shadow
24For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.7.12 defence: Heb. shadow
25Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
26Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
27In 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.7.14 set: Heb. made
28In 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.7.14 set: Heb. made
29All 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.
30All 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.
31Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?7.16 destroy…: Heb. be desolate?
32Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?7.16 destroy…: Heb. be desolate?
33Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?7.17 before…: Heb. not in thy time?
34Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?7.17 before…: Heb. not in thy time?
35It 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.
36It 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.
37Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
38Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
39For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
40For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
41Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:7.21 take…: Heb. give not thine heart
42Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:7.21 take…: Heb. give not thine heart
43For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
44For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
45¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
46¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
47That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
48That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
49I 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:7.25 I applied…: Heb. I and mine heart compassed
50I 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:7.25 I applied…: Heb. I and mine heart compassed
51And 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.7.26 whoso…: Heb. he that is good before God
52And 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.7.26 whoso…: Heb. he that is good before God
53Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:7.27 counting…: or, weighing one thing after another, to find out the reason
54Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:7.27 counting…: or, weighing one thing after another, to find out the reason
55Which 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.
56Which 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.
57Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
58Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.