 |  | Ecclesiastes 7 |  |  |
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Wisdom and Folly Contrasted | ||||
 NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than expensive perfume, and the day you die is better than the day you're born. | 1 A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth. | 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth. | 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart. | 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. | 2 It is better to go to a funeral than to a banquet because that is where everyone will end up. Everyone who is alive should take this to heart! | 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 should take this to heart. | 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter because, in spite of a sad face, the heart can be joyful. | 3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good. | 3 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. | 4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. | 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. | 4 The minds of wise people think about funerals, but the minds of fools think about banquets. | 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. | 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth. | 5 It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools. | 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. | 5 It is better to listen to wise people who reprimand you than to fools who sing your praises. | 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. | 5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 6 For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. | 6 The laughter of a fool is like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot. Even this is pointless. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. | 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. | 7 For oppression makes a wise man mad, And a bribe corrupts the heart. | 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. | 7 Oppression can turn a wise person into a fool, and a bribe can corrupt the mind. | 7 Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding. | 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart. | 8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. | 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. | 8 The end of something is better than its beginning. It is better to be patient than arrogant. | 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. | 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit. | 9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. | 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. | 9 Don't be quick to get angry, because anger is typical of fools. | 9 Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. | 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools. | 10 Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. | 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. | 10 Don't ask, "Why were things better in the old days than they are now?" It isn't wisdom that leads you to ask this! | 10 Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this. | 10 Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good And an advantage to those who see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun. | 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. | 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun. | 12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. | 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. | 12 Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it. | 12 For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. | 12 For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live. | 13 Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent? | 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? | 13 Consider what God has done! Who can straighten what God has bent? | 13 Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked? | 13 Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked? | 14 In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him. | 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. | 14 When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future. | 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him. | 14 In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing of what shall be after him. | 15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. | 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. | 15 I have seen it all in my pointless life: Righteous people die in spite of being righteous. Wicked people go on living in spite of being wicked. | 15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing. | 15 All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his days by his wickedness. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? | 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? | 16 Don't be too virtuous, and don't be too wise. Why make yourself miserable? | 16 Don't be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? | 16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? | 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? | 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? | 17 Don't be too wicked, and don't be a fool. Why should you die before your time is up? | 17 Don't be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time? | 17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? | 18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. | 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. | 18 It's good to hold on to the one and not let go of the other, because the one who fears God will be able to avoid both extremes. | 18 It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that don't withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all. | 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God cometh forth from them all. | 19 Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. | 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. | 19 Wisdom will help a wise person more than ten rulers can help a city. | 19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. | 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men that are in a city. | 20 Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins. | 20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. | 20 Certainly, there is no one so righteous on earth that he always does what is good and never sins. | 20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin. | 20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not. | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 21 Also, do not take seriously all words which are spoken, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you. | 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: | 21 Don't take everything that people say to heart, or you may hear your own servant cursing you. | 21 Also don't take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you; | 21 Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee. | 22 For you also have realized that you likewise have many times cursed others. | 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. | 22 Your conscience knows that you have cursed others many times. | 22 for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others. | 22 For also thine own heart knoweth that oftentimes thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. | 23 I tested all this with wisdom, and I said, "I will be wise," but it was far from me. | 23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. | 23 I used wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise, but it is out of my reach." | 23 All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me. | 23 All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. | 24 What has been is remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it? | 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? | 24 Whatever wisdom may be, it is out of reach. It is deep, very deep. Who can find out what it is? | 24 That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out? | 24 Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out? | 25 I directed my mind to know, to investigate and to seek wisdom and an explanation, and to know the evil of folly and the foolishness of madness. | 25 I applied mine 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: | 25 I turned my attention to study, to explore, and to seek out wisdom and the reason for things. I learned that wickedness is stupid and foolishness is madness. | 25 I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness. | 25 I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness; | NASB | KJV | GWT | WEB | DBY |
| 26 And I discovered more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are chains. One who is pleasing to God will escape from her, but the sinner will be captured by her. | 26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. | 26 I find that a woman whose thoughts are [like] traps and snares is more bitter than death itself. Even her hands are [like] chains. Whoever pleases God will escape her, but she will catch whoever continues to sin. | 26 I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her. | 26 and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is nets and snares, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her. | 27 "Behold, I have discovered this," says the Preacher, "adding one thing to another to find an explanation, | 27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: | 27 The spokesman said, "This is what I've found: I added one thing to another in order to find a reason for things. | 27 "Behold, I have found this," says the Preacher, "one to another, to find out the scheme; | 27 See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, searching one by one to find out the reason; | 28 which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these. | 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. | 28 I am still seeking a reason for things, but have not found any. I found one man out of a thousand who had it, but out of all these I didn't find one woman. | 28 which my soul still seeks; but I have not found. One man among a thousand have I found; but I have not found a woman among all those. | 28 which my soul yet seeketh, and I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found. | 29 "Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices." | 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. | 29 I have found only this: God made people decent, but they looked for many ways [to avoid being decent]." | 29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes." | 29 Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices. |
<< Ecclesiastes 7 >> New American Standard Bible Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. GOD'S WORD is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. The World English Bible is a 1997 revision of the American Standard Version of the Holy Bible, first published in 1901. It is in the Public Domain. Please feel free to copy and distribute it freely. Thank you to Michael Paul Johnson for making this work available. For the latest information, to report corrections, or for other correspondence, visit www.ebible.org. | ||||