Ecclesiastes 7:1–29
Septuagint (Brenton) compared with World English Bible (Masoretic-derived)
Full reading for Day 241
Ecclesiastes 7:1–29 · Psalm 102 (MT: 103) · Proverbs 24:7–9 · 1 Corinthians 10:1–18
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Septuagint (Brenton)
Authoritative text
World English Bible
Masoretic-derived · highlighted where altered
1A good name is better than good oil; and the day of death than the day of birth.
1A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.
2[It 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.
2It 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 should take this to heart.
3Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.
3Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
4The 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 a reproof of a wise man, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise 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.
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
7For oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.
7Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.
8The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.
8Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.
9Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests 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.
10Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.
11Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and [there is] an advantage [by it] to them that see the sun.
11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who 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.
12For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
13Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?
13Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he 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.
14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
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.
15All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.
16Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.
16Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Be not very wicked; and be not stubborn: lest thou shouldest die before thy time.
17Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your 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].
18It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.
19Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
20For there is not a righteous man in the earth, who will do good, and not sin.
20Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.
21Also take no heed to all the words which ungodly men shall speak; lest thou hear thy servant cursing thee.
21Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
22For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.
22for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.
23All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise;but it was far from me.
23All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.
24[That which is] far beyond what was, and a great depth, who shall find it out?
24That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can 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.
25I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.
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.
26I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
27Behold, this have I found , said the Preacher, [seeking] by one at a time to find out the account,
27“Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation
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 .
28which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.
29But, behold, this have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many devices. Who knows the wise? and who knows the interpretation of a saying?
29Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”