The Value of Wisdom

1A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.

2It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the banquet house: since this is the end of every man; and the living man will apply good warning to his heart.

3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5It is better to hear a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

6As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

7for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

8The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.

10Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

11Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and there is an advantage by it to them that see the sun.

12For wisdom in its shadow is as the shadow of silver: and the excellence of the knowledge of wisdom will give life to him that has it.

13Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

14In the day of prosperity live joyfully, and consider in the day of adversity: consider, I say, God also has caused the one to agree with the other for this reason, that man should find nothing after him.

Limits of Human Wisdom

15I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness. 16Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded. 17Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time. 18It is well for thee to hold fast by this; also by this defile not thine hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

19Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 20For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin 21Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee. 22For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.

23All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24That which is far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out? 25I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man. 26And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

27Behold, this have I found, said the Preacher, seeking by one at a time to find out the account, 28which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found. 29But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices.