| Chapter 7 |
1 |
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. --
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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. --
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3 |
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. --
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4 |
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. --
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5 |
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. --
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6 |
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. --
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7 |
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. --
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8 |
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. --
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9 |
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. --
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10 |
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. --
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11 |
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. --
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12 |
For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellence of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. --
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13 |
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? --
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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. --
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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. --
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16 |
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldst thou destroy thyself? --
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17 |
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldst thou die before thy time? --
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18 |
It is good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all. --
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19 |
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men who are in the city. --
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20 |
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. --
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21 |
Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: --
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22 |
For often also thy own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. --
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23 |
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. --
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24 |
That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out? --
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25 |
I applied my 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: --
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26 |
And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. --
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27 |
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: --
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28 |
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. --
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29 |
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. --
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