Eccl.7.1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
Eccl.7.1
A good reputation is better than a fat bank account. Your death date tells more than your birth date.
Eccl.7.1
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.
Eccl.7.1
A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth;
Eccl.7.1
A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. In the same way, the day you die is better than the day you are born.
Eccl.7.2
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.
Eccl.7.2
You learn more at a funeral than at a feast--After all, that's where we'll end up. We might discover something from it.
Eccl.7.2
It 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.
Eccl.7.2
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 take it to heart.
Eccl.7.2
It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is still time.
Eccl.7.3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Eccl.7.3
Crying is better than laughing. It blotches the face but it scours the heart.
Eccl.7.3
Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
Eccl.7.3
Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
Eccl.7.3
Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.
Eccl.7.4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Eccl.7.4
Sages invest themselves in hurt and grieving. Fools waste their lives in fun and games.
Eccl.7.4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
Eccl.7.4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Eccl.7.4
A wise person thinks much about death, while the fool thinks only about having a good time now.
Eccl.7.5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Eccl.7.5
You'll get more from the rebuke of a sage Than from the song and dance of fools.
Eccl.7.5
It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.
Eccl.7.5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Eccl.7.5
It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!
Eccl.7.6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
Eccl.7.6
The giggles of fools are like the crackling of twigs Under the cooking pot. And like smoke.
Eccl.7.6
Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.
Eccl.7.6
For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
Eccl.7.6
Indeed, a fool's laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless.
Eccl.7.7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
Eccl.7.7
Brutality stupefies even the wise And destroys the strongest heart.
Eccl.7.7
Extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
Eccl.7.7
Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart.
Eccl.7.7
Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.
Eccl.7.8
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Eccl.7.8
Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.
Eccl.7.8
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Eccl.7.8
The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Eccl.7.8
Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
Eccl.7.9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Eccl.7.9
Don't be quick to fly off the handle. Anger boomerangs. You can spot a fool by the lumps on his head.
Eccl.7.9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Eccl.7.9
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Eccl.7.9
Don't be quick-tempered, for anger is the friend of fools.
Eccl.7.10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Eccl.7.10
Don't always be asking, "Where are the good old days?" Wise folks don't ask questions like that.
Eccl.7.10
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Eccl.7.10
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
Eccl.7.10
Don't long for "the good old days," for you don't know whether they were any better than today.
Eccl.7.11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Eccl.7.11
Wisdom is better when it's paired with money, Especially if you get both while you're still living.
Eccl.7.11
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.
Eccl.7.11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun.
Eccl.7.11
Being wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better.
Eccl.7.12
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.
Eccl.7.12
Double protection: wisdom and wealth! Plus this bonus: Wisdom energizes its owner.
Eccl.7.12
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.
Eccl.7.12
For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.
Eccl.7.12
Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it's important to know that only wisdom can save your life.
Eccl.7.13
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Eccl.7.13
Take a good look at God's work. Who could simplify and reduce Creation's curves and angles To a plain straight line?
Eccl.7.13
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
Eccl.7.13
Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked?
Eccl.7.13
Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don't fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
Eccl.7.14
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.
Eccl.7.14
On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won't take anything for granted.
Eccl.7.14
When 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.
Eccl.7.14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
Eccl.7.14
Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. That way you will realize that nothing is certain in this life.
Eccl.7.15
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.
Eccl.7.15
I've seen it all in my brief and pointless life--here a good person cut down in the middle of doing good, there a bad person living a long life of sheer evil.
Eccl.7.15
In 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.
Eccl.7.15
I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
Eccl.7.15
In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on.
Eccl.7.16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
Eccl.7.16
So don't knock yourself out being good, and don't go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won't get anything out of it.
Eccl.7.16
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise- why destroy yourself?
Eccl.7.16
Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
Eccl.7.16
So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself?
Eccl.7.17
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
Eccl.7.17
But don't press your luck by being bad, either. And don't be reckless. Why die needlessly?
Eccl.7.17
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool- why die before your time?
Eccl.7.17
Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?
Eccl.7.17
On the other hand, don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time?
Eccl.7.18
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.
Eccl.7.18
It's best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.
Eccl.7.18
It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
Eccl.7.18
It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
Eccl.7.18
So try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way.
Eccl.7.19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
Eccl.7.19
Wisdom puts more strength in one wise person Than ten strong men give to a city.
Eccl.7.19
Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.
Eccl.7.19
Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
Eccl.7.19
A wise person is stronger than the ten leading citizens of a town!
Eccl.7.20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Eccl.7.20
There's not one totally good person on earth, Not one who is truly pure and sinless.
Eccl.7.20
There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.
Eccl.7.20
For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.
Eccl.7.20
There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.
Eccl.7.21
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
Eccl.7.21
Don't eavesdrop on the conversation of others. What if the gossip's about you and you'd rather not hear it?
Eccl.7.21
Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you-
Eccl.7.21
Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
Eccl.7.21
Don't eavesdrop on others--you may hear your servant laughing at you.
Eccl.7.22
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Eccl.7.22
You've done that a few times, haven't you--said things Behind someone's back you wouldn't say to his face?
Eccl.7.22
for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Eccl.7.22
For many times, also, your own heart has known That even you have cursed others.
Eccl.7.22
For you know how often you yourself have laughed at others.
Eccl.7.23
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
Eccl.7.23
I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me,
Eccl.7.23
All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"- but this was beyond me.
Eccl.7.23
All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, "I will be wise"; But it was far from me.
Eccl.7.23
All along I have tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, "I am determined to be wise." But it didn't really work.
Eccl.7.24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
Eccl.7.24
far beyond me, and deep--oh so deep! Does anyone ever find it?
Eccl.7.24
Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound- who can discover it?
Eccl.7.24
As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, Who can find it out?
Eccl.7.24
Wisdom is always distant and very difficult to find.
Eccl.7.25
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:
Eccl.7.25
I concentrated with all my might, studying and exploring and seeking wisdom--the meaning of life. I also wanted to identify evil and stupidity, foolishness and craziness.
Eccl.7.25
So 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.
Eccl.7.25
I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, To know the wickedness of folly, Even of foolishness and madness.
Eccl.7.25
I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.
Eccl.7.26
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.
Eccl.7.26
One discovery: A woman can be a bitter pill to swallow, full of seductive scheming and grasping. The lucky escape her; the undiscerning get caught.
Eccl.7.26
I 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.
Eccl.7.26
And I find more bitter than death The woman whose heart is snares and nets, Whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, But the sinner shall be trapped by her.
Eccl.7.26
I discovered that a seductive woman is more bitter than death. Her passion is a trap, and her soft hands will bind you. Those who please God will escape from her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.
Eccl.7.27
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
Eccl.7.27
At least this is my experience--what I, the Quester, have pieced together as I've tried to make sense of life.
Eccl.7.27
"Look," says the Teacher, "this is what I have discovered: "Adding one thing to another to discover the scheme of things-
Eccl.7.27
"Here is what I have found," says the Preacher, "Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason,
Eccl.7.27
"This is my conclusion," says the Teacher. "I came to this result after looking into the matter from every possible angle.
Eccl.7.28
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.
Eccl.7.28
But the wisdom I've looked for I haven't found. I didn't find one man or woman in a thousand worth my while.
Eccl.7.28
while I was still searching but not finding- I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.
Eccl.7.28
Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, But a woman among all these I have not found.
Eccl.7.28
Just one out of every thousand men I interviewed can be said to be upright, but not one woman!
Eccl.7.29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
Eccl.7.29
Yet I did spot one ray of light in this murk: God made men and women true and upright; we're the ones who've made a mess of things.
Eccl.7.29
This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes."
Eccl.7.29
Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes."
Eccl.7.29
I discovered that God created people to be upright, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path."
