Ecclesiastes 7

1A good name better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that the end of all men; and the living will lay to his heart. 3Sorrow better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4The heart of the wise in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools in the house of mirth. 5better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so the laughter of the fool: this also vanity. 7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8Better the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: the patient in spirit better than the proud in spirit. 9Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10Say not you, What is that the former days were better than these? for you dost not enquire wisely concerning this. 11Wisdom good with an inheritance: and profit to them that see the sun. 12For wisdom a defence, money a defence: but the excellency of knowledge wisdom giveth life to them that have it. 13Consider the work of Elohim: for who can make straight, which he has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Elohim also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 15All have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked that prolongeth in his wickedness. 16Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest you destroy thyself? 17Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why shouldest you die before your time? 18good that you shouldest take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that feareth Elohim shall come forth of them all. 19Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty which are in the city. 20For not a just man upon earth, that does good, and sinneth not. 21Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you: 22For oftentimes also your own heart knoweth that you thyself likewise hast cursed others. 23All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it far from me. 24That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason , and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness madness: 26And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart snares and nets, her hands bands: whoso pleaseth Elohim shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 27Behold, this have I found, says the preacher, one by one, to find out the account: 28Which 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. 29Lo, this only have I found, that Elohim has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.