 |  | Ecclesiastes 7 |  |  |
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Wisdom and Folly Contrasted | ||||
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| 1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one's birth. | 1 Better is a name than good perfume, And the day of death than the day of birth. | 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. | 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. | 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. | 2 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. | 2 Better to go unto a house of mourning, Than to go unto a house of banqueting, For that is the end of all men, And the living layeth it unto his heart. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. | 3 Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected. | 3 Better is sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better. | 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. | 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. | 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. | 4 The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth. | 4 The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, And the heart of fools in a house of mirth. | 5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. | 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. | 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. | 5 It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools. | 5 Better to hear a rebuke of a wise man, Than for a man to hear a song of fools, | NASB | KJV | ASV | DRB | YLT |
| 6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity. | 6 For as the noise of thorns under the pot, So is the laughter of a fool, even this is vanity. | 7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. | 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. | 7 Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. | 7 Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart. | 7 Surely oppression maketh the wise mad, And a gift destroyeth the heart. | 8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. | 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. | 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. | 8 Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous. | 8 Better is the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better is the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit. | 9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. | 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. | 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. | 9 Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool. | 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry, For anger in the bosom of fools resteth. | 10 Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. | 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. | 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. | 10 Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish. | 10 Say not thou, 'What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this. | NASB | KJV | ASV | DRB | YLT |
| 11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. | 11 Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And an advantage it is to those beholding the sun. | 12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. | 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. | 12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. | 12 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. | 12 For wisdom is a defense, money is a defence, And the advantage of the knowledge of wisdom is, She reviveth her possessors. | 13 Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? | 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? | 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? | 13 Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised. | 13 See the work of God, For who is able to make straight that which He made crooked? | 14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. | 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. | 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him. | 14 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. | 14 In a day of prosperity be in gladness, And in a day of evil consider. Also this over-against that hath God made, To the intent that man doth not find anything after him. | 15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. | 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. | 15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. | 15 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. | 15 The whole I have considered in the days of my vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there is a wrong-doer prolonging himself in his wrong. | NASB | KJV | ASV | DRB | YLT |
| 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? | 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? | 16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? | 16 Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid. | 16 Be not over-righteous, nor show thyself too wise, why art thou desolate? | 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? | 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? | 17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? | 17 Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time. | 17 Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time? | 18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. | 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. | 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all. | 18 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. | 18 It is good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all. | 19 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. | 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. | 19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. | 19 Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city. | 19 The wisdom giveth strength to a wise man, more than wealth the rulers who have been in a city. | 20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. | 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. | 20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. | 20 For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not. | 20 Because there is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and sinneth not. | NASB | KJV | ASV | DRB | YLT |
| 21 Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. | 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: | 21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; | 21 But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee. | 21 Also to all the words that they speak give not thy heart, that thou hear not thy servant reviling thee. | 22 For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. | 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. | 22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. | 22 For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others. | 22 For many times also hath thy heart known that thou thyself also hast reviled others. | 23 I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. | 23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. | 23 All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. | 23 I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me, | 23 All this I have tried by wisdom; I have said, 'I am wise,' and it is far from me. | 24 What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it? | 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? | 24 That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out? | 24 Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out? | 24 Far off is that which hath been, and deep, deep, who doth find it? | 25 I directed my mind to know, to investigate and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness. | 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: | 25 I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things , and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness. | 25 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: | 25 I have turned round, also my heart, to know and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and reason, and to know the wrong of folly, and of foolishness the madness. | NASB | KJV | ASV | DRB | YLT |
| 26 And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. | 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. | 26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. | 26 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. | 26 And I am finding more bitter than death, the woman whose heart is nets and snares, her hands are bands; the good before God escapeth from her, but the sinner is captured by her. | 27 "Behold, I have discovered this," says the Preacher, "adding one thing to another to find an explanation, | 27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: | 27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account; | 27 Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account, | 27 See, this I have found, said the Preacher, one to one, to find out the reason | 28 which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these. | 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. | 28 which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. | 28 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. | 28 (that still my soul had sought, and I had not found), One man, a teacher, I have found, and a woman among all these I have not found. | 29 "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices." | 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. | 29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. | 29 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? | 29 See, this alone I have found, that God made man upright, and they -- they have sought out many devices. |
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