Ecclesiastes 7

A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

Having a respected reputation is more valuable than the finest perfume; and the day we leave this world is better than the day we enter it.

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.

It's more meaningful to visit a place of sorrow than a place of celebration, for death is everyone's destiny, and the living should deeply reflect on this.

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Feeling sadness can be more beneficial than laughter, as it helps to improve our hearts and character.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Wise hearts find wisdom in sorrow, while foolish hearts only seek joy.

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

It's more beneficial to listen to the criticism of the wise, than to indulge in the flattery of fools.

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

Just like the meaningless noise of burning thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: it's all pointless.

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Indeed, oppression can turn even the wisest person into a fool; and a bribe can corrupt the purest of hearts.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

The finish line is often sweeter than the starting point, and being patient and humble is far more rewarding than being arrogant.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Don't let anger control you quickly; only fools let it settle in their hearts.

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Don't ask why the past seemed better than now. It's not wise to compare times.

Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

Wisdom is good, and better still with an inheritance; it brings benefits to those who see the sun.

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.

Wisdom protects us, just like money does. But the true beauty of knowledge is that wisdom breathes life into those who possess it.

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

Reflect on God's creations: who can perfect what He intentionally made imperfect?

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.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are tough, remember that God has a purpose for both. He's arranged life this way so we can't predict what's next.

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.

In my fleeting, empty days I've observed everything: good people sometimes meet an untimely end despite their righteousness, while some evil ones live long, thriving in their wickedness.

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Don't be overly righteous or too wise; why ruin yourself?

Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Don't let evil consume you, nor act foolishly. Why risk your life prematurely?

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.

It is good to hold on to the one warning and not let go of the other. For those who respect God will come safely through them both.

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

Wisdom empowers the wise, making them stronger than ten powerful city dwellers.

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

No one on earth is perfect; even the most righteous among us make mistakes and sin.

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

Don't pay attention to everything people say, or you might overhear your servant speaking ill of you.

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Often, your own heart reminds you that you too have hurt others with your words.

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

I've sought wisdom, promising myself to be wise. Yet, I found it to be beyond my reach.

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

Who can truly grasp the mysteries of the distant and profound?

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:

I dedicated my heart to understand, to explore, and to discover wisdom and the logic behind everything. I also sought to comprehend the depth of foolishness and insanity.

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.

I've discovered that a woman with a deceitful heart can be more devastating than death itself. Her love is a trap, her touch a shackle. Those who please God will evade her, but those who sin will fall into her grasp.

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

Look, this is what I've discovered, says the speaker, carefully examining each detail to understand the whole story.

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.

My soul yearns and searches, but it's hard to find: I've discovered one genuine man in a thousand; yet, among countless women, I've found none.

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

I've realized this one truth: God created humans to be good, but they've chosen to complicate things with their own ideas.