Ecclesiastes 7 — FBV
7Verse 1A good reputation is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you were born.Verse 2It's better to go to a funeral than to a party.+In the end, everyone dies, and those who are still alive should think about it.Verse 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for tragedy helps us by making us think.+Verse 4Wise people think about the impact of death, while those who are fools only think about having a good time.Verse 5It's better to listen to criticism from a wise person than to hear the song of fools.Verse 6The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorn twigs burning under a pot—without sense and quickly over.+Verse 7Extorting money from others makes wise people into fools, and accepting bribes corrupts the mind.Verse 8Completing something is better than starting it. Being patient is better than being proud.Verse 9Don't be quick to get angry, for anger controls the minds of fools.+Verse 10Don't ask, “Why were the good old days better than now?” Asking such questions shows you are not wise.Verse 11Wisdom is good—it's like receiving an inheritance. It benefits everyone in life.+Verse 12For wisdom provides security, as does money, but the advantage for those who have wisdom is that they are kept safe and sound!Verse 13Think about what God does. If he makes something bent, you can't straighten it!Verse 14On a good day, be happy. When a bad day comes, stop and think. God made each day, so you don't know what will happen to you next.Verse 15Throughout my life I've seen so much that is hard to understand. Good people who die young despite doing what is right,+and wicked people who live long evil lives.Verse 16Don't think you can make yourself right by a lot of religious observance, and don't pretend to be so wise.+Do you want to destroy yourself?+Verse 17On the other hand,+don't decide to live an evil life—don't be a fool! Why die before your time?Verse 18You ought to keep in mind these warnings. Those who follow God will be sure to avoid both.Verse 19Wisdom gives a wise person greater power than ten town councilors.Verse 20There's not one good person in all the world who always does what is right and never sins.Verse 21Don't take to heart everything that people say, otherwise you may hear your servant talking badly+about you,Verse 22for you know how many times you yourself have talked badly about others!Verse 23I have examined all this using the principles of wisdom. I told myself, “I will think wisely.” But wisdom eluded me.Verse 24Everything that exists is beyond our grasp—too deep for our understanding. Who can comprehend it?Verse 25I turned my thoughts to discover, investigate, and to find out more about wisdom and what makes sense. I wanted to know more about how stupid evil really is, and how ridiculous it is to be a fool.Verse 26I discovered something more horrible+than death: foolishness like a woman+who tries to entrap you, who wants to use her mind and hands to catch you and tie you up. Those who follow God will not be caught, but sinners will fall into her trap.Verse 27This is what I discovered after putting two and two+together to try and find out what it all meant, says the Teacher.Verse 28Although I really searched, I didn't find what I was looking for. People say, “I found one man among a thousand, but not one woman.”+Verse 29But I did find this one thing: God made people to do what's right, but they have followed their own ideas.+