Ecclesiastes 7 : 1 (NET)
A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 2 (NET)
It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 3 (NET)
Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 4 (NET)
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 5 (NET)
It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 6 (NET)
For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 7 (NET)
Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 8 (NET)
The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 9 (NET)
Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 10 (NET)
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 11 (NET)
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 12 (NET)
For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 13 (NET)
Consider the work of God: For who can make straight what he has bent?
Ecclesiastes 7 : 14 (NET)
In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 15 (NET)
During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 16 (NET)
So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 17 (NET)
Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 18 (NET)
It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 19 (NET)
Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 20 (NET)
For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 21 (NET)
Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 22 (NET)
For you know in your own heart that you also have cursed others many times.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 23 (NET)
I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this"� but it was beyond my grasp.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 24 (NET)
Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 25 (NET)
I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 26 (NET)
I discovered this: More bitter than death is the kind of woman who is like a hunter's snare; her heart is like a hunter's net and her hands are like prison chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is captured by her.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 27 (NET)
The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 28 (NET)
What I have continually sought, I have not found; I have found only one upright man among a thousand, but I have not found one upright woman among all of them.
Ecclesiastes 7 : 29 (NET)
This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes.

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