Bible, King James Version
Ecclesiastes
Qoh.7
[1] A good name is better than precious ointment; and the
day of death than the day of one's birth.
[2] 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.
[3] Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of
the countenance the heart is made better.
[4] The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but
the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
[5] It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for
a man to hear the song of fools.
[6] For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the
laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
[7] Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift
destroyeth the heart.
[8] Better is the end of a thing than the beginning
thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in
spirit.
[9] Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger
resteth in the bosom of fools.
[10] Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days
were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely
concerning this.
[11] Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there
is profit to them that see the sun.
[12] For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but
the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them
that have it.
[13] Consider the work of God: for who can make that
straight, which he hath made crooked?
[14] In 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.
[15] All 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.
[16] Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over
wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
[17] Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why
shouldest thou die before thy time?
[18] It 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.
[19] Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty
men which are in the city.
[20] For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth
good, and sinneth not.
[21] Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken;
lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
[22] For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou
thyself likewise hast cursed others.
[23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be
wise; but it was far from me.
[24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can
find it out?
[25] I 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:
[26] And 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.
[27] Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher,
counting one by one, to find out the account:
[28] Which 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.
[29] Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man
upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
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