Ecclesiastes 7 — NETB

7Verse 1A good reputation is better than precious perfume;
likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
^{Verse 2}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.
^{Verse 3}Sorrow is better than laughter,
because sober reflection is good for the heart.
^{Verse 4}The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.

Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom

^{Verse 5}It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise
than to listen to the song of fools.
^{Verse 6}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.

Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity

^{Verse 7}Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool;
likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart.
^{Verse 8}The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
likewise, patience is better than pride.
^{Verse 9}Do not let yourself be quickly provoked,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
^{Verse 10}Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?”
for it is not wise to ask that.

Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life

^{Verse 11}Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing;
it benefits those who see the light of day.
^{Verse 12}For wisdom provides protection,
just as money provides protection.
But the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Wisdom Acknowledges God’s Orchestration of Life

^{Verse 13}Consider the work of God:
For who can make straight what he has bent?
^{Verse 14}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.

Exceptions to the Law of Retribution

^{Verse 15}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.
^{Verse 16}So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise;
otherwise you might be disappointed.
^{Verse 17}Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool;
otherwise you might die before your time.
^{Verse 18}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.

Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous

^{Verse 19}Wisdom gives a wise person more protection
than ten rulers in a city.
^{Verse 20}For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth
who continually does good and never sins.
^{Verse 21}Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say;
otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you.
^{Verse 22}For you know in your own heart
that you also have cursed others many times.

Human Wisdom is Limited

^{Verse 23}I have examined all this by wisdom;
I said, “I am determined to comprehend this” – but it was beyond my grasp.
^{Verse 24}Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding;
it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.

True Righteousness and Wisdom are Virtually Nonexistent

^{Verse 25}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.
^{Verse 26}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.
^{Verse 27}The Teacher says:
I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.
^{Verse 28}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.
^{Verse 29}This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright,
but they have sought many evil schemes.