Bible Arch

Ecclesiastes

Chapter 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 enquire 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.