7:1 Divers precepts to follow that which is good, and to avoid the contrary. Surely there be many things that increase vanity, and what availeth it a man?
7:2 For who knoweth what is good for man in the life, and in the number of the days of the life of his vanity, seeing he maketh them as a shadow? for who can show unto man what shall be after him under the sun?
7:3 A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of death, than the day that one is born.
7:4 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, because this is the end of all men: and the living shall lay it to his heart.
7:5 Anger is better than laughter: for by a sad look the heart is made better.
7:6 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
7:7 Better it is to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than that a man should hear the song of fools.
7:8 For like the noise of the thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7:9 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and the reward destroyeth the heart.
7:10 The end of a thing is better than the beginning thereof, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
7:11 Be not thou of an hasty spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
7:12 Say not thou, Why is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely of this thing.
7:13 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and excellent to them that see the sun.
7:14 For man shall rest in the shadow of wisdom, and in the shadow of silver: but the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life to the possessors thereof.
7:15 Behold the work of God; for who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?
7:16 In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man should find nothing after him.
7:17 I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his justice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.
7:18 Be not thou just overmuch, neither make thyself overwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?
7:19 Be not thou wicked overmuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?
7:20 It is good that thou lay hold on this: but yet withdraw not thine hand from that: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
7:21 Wisdom shall strengthen the wise men more than ten mighty princes that are in the city.
7:22 Surely there is no man just in the earth that doeth good and sinneth not.
7:23 Give not thine heart also to all the words that men speak, lest thou do hear thy servant cursing thee.
7:24 For oftentimes also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast cursed others.
7:25 All this have I proved by wisdom: I thought, I will be wise, but it went far from me.
7:26 It is far off, what may it be? and it is a profound deepness, who can find it?
7:27 I have compassed about, both I and mine heart to know and to inquire and to search wisdom, and reason, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness,
7:28 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands as bands: he that is good before God, shall be delivered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.
7:29 Behold, saith the Preacher, this have I found, seeking one by one to find the count:
7:30 And yet my soul seeketh, but I find it not. I have found one man of a thousand: but a woman among them all have I not found.
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