1 A good name{H8034} is better{H2896} than precious{H2896} ointment{H8081}; and the day{H3117} of death{H4194} than the day{H3117} of one's birth{H3205}{(H8736)}.

2 It is better{H2896} to go{H3212}{(H8800)} to the house{H1004} of mourning{H60}, than to go{H3212}{(H8800)} to the house{H1004} of feasting{H4960}: for{H834} that is the end{H5490} of all men{H120}; and the living{H2416} will lay{H5414}{(H8799)} it to his heart{H3820}.

3 Sorrow{H3708} is better{H2896} than laughter{H7814}: for by the sadness{H7455} of the countenance{H6440} the heart{H3820} is made better{H3190}{(H8799)}.

4 The heart{H3820} of the wise{H2450} is in the house{H1004} of mourning{H60}; but the heart{H3820} of fools{H3684} is in the house{H1004} of mirth{H8057}.

5 It is better{H2896} to hear{H8085}{(H8800)} the rebuke{H1606} of the wise{H2450}, than for a man{H376} to hear{H8085}{(H8802)} the song{H7892} of fools{H3684}.

6 For as the crackling{H6963} of thorns{H5518} under a pot{H5518}, so is the laughter{H7814} of the fool{H3684}: this also is vanity{H1892}.

7 Surely oppression{H6233} maketh a wise man{H2450} mad{H1984}{(H8779)}; and a gift{H4979} destroyeth{H6}{(H8762)} the heart{H3820}.

8 Better{H2896} is the end{H319} of a thing{H1697} than the beginning{H7225} thereof: and the patient{H750} in spirit{H7307} is better{H2896} than the proud{H1362} in spirit{H7307}.

9 Be not hasty{H926}{(H8762)} in thy spirit{H7307} to be angry{H3707}{(H8800)}: for anger{H3708} resteth{H5117}{(H8799)} in the bosom{H2436} of fools{H3684}.

10 Say{H559}{(H8799)} not thou, What is the cause that the former{H7223} days{H3117} were better{H2896} than these? for thou dost not enquire{H7592}{(H8804)} wisely{H2451} concerning this.

11 Wisdom{H2451} is good{H2896} with an inheritance{H5159}: and by it there is profit{H3148} to them that see{H7200}{(H8802)} the sun{H8121}.

12 For wisdom{H2451} is a defence{H6738}, and money{H3701} is a defence{H6738}: but the excellency{H3504} of knowledge{H1847} is, that wisdom{H2451} giveth life{H2421}{(H8762)} to them that have{H1167} it.

13 Consider{H7200}{(H8798)} the work{H4639} of God{H430}: for who can{H3201}{(H8799)} make that straight{H8626}{(H8763)}, which he hath made crooked{H5791}{(H8765)}?

14 In the day{H3117} of prosperity{H2896} be joyful{H2896}, but in the day{H3117} of adversity{H7451} consider{H7200}{(H8798)}: God{H430} also hath set{H6213}{(H8804)} the one over against{H5980} the other, to the end{H1700} that man{H120} should find{H4672}{(H8799)} nothing{H3972} after{H310} him.

15 All things have I seen{H7200}{(H8804)} in the days{H3117} of my vanity{H1892}: there is{H3426} a just{H6662} man that perisheth{H6}{(H8802)} in his righteousness{H6664}, and there is a wicked{H7563} man that prolongeth{H748}{(H8688)} his life in his wickedness{H7451}.

16 Be not righteous{H6662} over much{H7235}{(H8687)}; neither make thyself over{H3148} wise{H2449}{(H8691)}: why shouldest thou destroy{H8074}{(H8709)} thyself?

17 Be not over much{H7235}{(H8687)} wicked{H7561}{(H8799)}, neither be thou foolish{H5530}: why shouldest thou die{H4191}{(H8799)} before thy time{H6256}?

18 It is good{H2896} that thou shouldest take hold{H270}{(H8799)} of this; yea, also from this{H2088} withdraw{H3240}{(H8686)} not thine hand{H3027}: for he that feareth{H3373} God{H430} shall come forth{H3318}{(H8799)} of them all.

19 Wisdom{H2451} strengtheneth{H5810}{(H8799)} the wise{H2450} more than ten{H6235} mighty{H7989} men which are in the city{H5892}.

20 For there is not a just{H6662} man{H120} upon earth{H776}, that doeth{H6213}{(H8799)} good{H2896}, and sinneth{H2398}{(H8799)} not.

21 Also take{H5414}{(H8799)} no heed{H3820} unto all words{H1697} that are spoken{H1696}{(H8762)}; lest thou hear{H8085}{(H8799)} thy servant{H5650} curse{H7043}{(H8764)} thee:

22 For oftentimes{H6471}{H7227} also thine own heart{H3820} knoweth{H3045}{(H8804)} that thou thyself likewise hast cursed{H7043}{(H8765)} others{H312}.

23 All this{H2090} have I proved{H5254}{(H8765)} by wisdom{H2451}: I said{H559}{(H8804)}, I will be wise{H2449}{(H8799)}; but it was far{H7350} from me.

24 That which is far off{H7350}, and exceeding deep{H6013}, who can find it out{H4672}{(H8799)}?

25 I applied{H5437}{(H8804)} mine heart{H3820} to know{H3045}{(H8800)}, and to search{H8446}{(H8800)}, and to seek out{H1245}{(H8763)} wisdom{H2451}, and the reason{H2808} of things, and to know{H3045}{(H8800)} the wickedness{H7562} of folly{H3689}, even of foolishness{H5531} and madness{H1947}:

26 And I find{H4672}{(H8802)} more bitter{H4751} than death{H4194} the woman{H802}, whose heart{H3820} is snares{H4685} and nets{H2764}, and her hands{H3027} as bands{H612}: whoso pleaseth{H2896}{H6440} God{H430} shall escape{H4422}{(H8735)} from her; but the sinner{H2398}{(H8802)} shall be taken{H3920}{(H8735)} by her.

27 Behold{H7200}{(H8798)}, this have I found{H4672}{(H8804)}, saith{H559}{(H8804)} the preacher{H6953}, counting one{H259} by one{H259}, to find out{H4672}{(H8800)} the account{H2808}:

28 Which yet my soul{H5315} seeketh{H1245}{(H8765)}, but I find{H4672}{(H8804)} not: one{H259} man{H120} among a thousand{H505} have I found{H4672}{(H8804)}; but a woman{H802} among all those have I not found{H4672}{(H8804)}.

29 Lo{H7200}{(H8798)}, this only{H905} have I found{H4672}{(H8804)}, that God{H430} hath made{H6213}{(H8804)} man{H120} upright{H3477}; but they have sought out{H1245}{(H8765)} many{H7227} inventions{H2810}.