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11
Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what
is
man the better?
12
For who knoweth
what
is
good for man in
this
life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for
who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
CHAPTER 7
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
778
KJV Bible