Ecclesiastes 7 (DRA)

← Ecclesiastes 6 Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 8 →
v1

What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?

v2

A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

v3

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

v4

Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

v5

The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

v6

It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

v7

For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.

v8

Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

v9

Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

v10

Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

v11

Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

v12

Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

v13

For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

v14

Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

v15

In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

v16

These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

v17

Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

v18

Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

v19

It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

v20

Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

v21

For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

v22

But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

v23

For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

v24

I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

v25

Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

v26

I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

v27

And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter’s snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.

v28

Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

v29

Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.

v30

Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word?

← Ecclesiastes 6 Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 8 →