The Value of Wisdom
1A good name[is] betterthan preciousointment;and the dayof deaththan the dayof one's birth.
2[It is] betterto goto the houseof mourning,than to goto the houseof feasting:forthat [is] the endof all men;and the livingwill lay[it] to his heart.
3Sorrow[is] betterthan laughter:for by the sadnessof the countenancethe heartis made better.
4The heartof the wise[is] in the houseof mourning;but the heartof fools[is] in the houseof mirth.
5[It is] betterto hearthe rebukeof the wise,than for a manto hearthe songof fools.
6For as the cracklingof thornsunder a pot,so [is] the laughterof the fool:this also [is] vanity.
7Surely oppressionmaketh a wise manmad;and a giftdestroyeththe heart.
8Better[is] the endof a thingthan the beginningthereof: [and] the patientin spirit[is] betterthan the proudin spirit.
9Be not hastyin thy spiritto be angry:for angerrestethin the bosomof fools.
10Saynot thou, What is [the cause] that the formerdayswere betterthan these? for thou dost not enquirewiselyconcerning this.
11Wisdom[is] goodwith an inheritance:and [by it there is] profitto them that seethe sun.
12For wisdom[is] a defence,[and] money[is] a defence:but the excellencyof knowledge[is, that] wisdomgiveth lifeto them that haveit.
13Considerthe workof God:for who canmake [that] straight,which he hath made crooked?
14In the dayof prosperitybe joyful,but in the dayof adversityconsider:Godalso hath setthe one over againstthe other, to the endthat manshould findnothingafterhim.
Limits of Human Wisdom
15All [things] have I seenin the daysof my vanity:there isa just[man] that perishethin his righteousness,and there is a wicked[man] that prolongeth[his life] in his wickedness.16Be not righteousover much;neither make thyself overwise:why shouldest thou destroythyself?17Be not over muchwicked,neither be thou foolish:why shouldest thou diebefore thy time?18[It is] goodthat thou shouldest take holdof this; yea, also from thiswithdrawnot thine hand:for he that fearethGodshall come forthof them all.
19Wisdomstrengtheneththe wisemore than tenmighty[men] which are in the city.20For [there is] not a justmanupon earth,that doethgood,and sinnethnot.21Also takeno heedunto all wordsthat are spoken;lest thou hearthy servantcursethee:22For oftentimesalso thine own heartknoweththat thou thyself likewise hast cursedothers.
23All thishave I provedby wisdom:I said,I will be wise;but it [was] farfrom me.24That which is far off,and exceeding deep,who can find it out?25I appliedmine heartto know,and to search,and to seek outwisdom,and the reason[of things], and to knowthe wickednessof folly,even of foolishness[and] madness:26And I findmore bitterthan deaththe woman,whose heart[is] snaresand nets,[and] her hands[as] bands:whoso pleasethGodshall escapefrom her; but the sinnershall be takenby her.
27Behold,this have I found,saiththe preacher,[counting] oneby one,to find outthe account:28Which yet my soulseeketh,but I findnot: onemanamong a thousandhave I found;but a womanamong all those have I not found.29Lo,this onlyhave I found,that Godhath mademanupright;but they have sought outmanyinventions.
