(KJV) Ecclesiastes 7¹

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⥃The Value of Wisdom

[1] A good name² [is] better than precious³ ointment; and the day⁴ of death than the day of one’s birth.

[2] [¶][It is] better⁵ to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that⁶ [is] the end of all men; and the living⁷ will lay [it] to his heart. [3] Sorrow⁸ [is] better⁹ than laughter: for by¹⁰ the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. [4] The heart¹¹ of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart¹² of fools [is] in the house of mirth. [5] [It is] better¹³ to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song¹⁴ of fools. [6] For as¹⁵ the crackling¹⁶ of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter¹⁷ of the fool: this also [is] vanity.

[7] Surely oppression¹⁸ maketh a wise man mad; and a gift¹⁹ destroyeth the heart. [8] Better²⁰ [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient²¹ in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit. [9] Be not hasty²² in thy spirit to be angry: for anger²³ resteth in the bosom of fools. [10] Say not thou, What²⁴ is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely²⁵ concerning this.

[11] Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance²⁶: and [by it there is] profit to them²⁷ that see the sun. [12] For wisdom²⁸ [is] a defence²⁹, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency³⁰ of knowledge [is], [that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it. [13] Consider³¹ the work of God: for who³² can make [that] straight, which he hath made crooked? [14] In the day³³ of prosperity be joyful, but³⁴ in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set³⁵ the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

⥃The Limits of Human Wisdom

[15] All [things] have I³⁶ seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just³⁷ [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked³⁸ [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness. [16] Be not³⁹ righteous over much; neither⁴⁰ make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself⁴¹? [17] Be not⁴² over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why⁴³ shouldest thou die before thy time⁴⁴? [18] [It is] good⁴⁵ that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for⁴⁶ 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.⁴⁷ [20] For [there⁴⁸ is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth⁴⁹ good, and sinneth not. [21] Also take no heed⁵⁰ unto⁵¹ all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: [22] For oftentimes also⁵² thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

[23] All this have I proved by wisdom: I said⁵³, I will be wise; but it [was] far from me. [24] That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?⁵⁴ [25] I applied mine heart⁵⁵ to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason⁵⁶ [of things], and to know⁵⁷ the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness: [26] And I find⁵⁸ more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth God⁵⁹ shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. [27] Behold, this have I found, saith⁶⁰ the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out the account⁶¹: [28] Which yet⁶² my soul seeketh, but I find not: one⁶³ man among a thousand have I found; but⁶⁴ a woman among all those have I not found. [29] Lo, this only have I found, that God⁶⁵ hath made man upright; but they⁶⁶ have sought out many inventions.

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