Ecclesiastes 7
Wisdom and Folly Compared
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 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. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 32:29, 32:46, Psalms 90:12
3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Parallel theme: Psalms 119:67, 119:71, Daniel 10:19, Luke 6:21, 6:25, 2 Corinthians 4:17
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. Parallel theme: Psalms 141:5, Proverbs 13:18, Revelation 3:19
6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 2:2, Psalms 58:9, 118:12
7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 4:1, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19, 28:65, 1 Samuel 8:3, 12:3, Proverbs 17:8, 17:23, Isaiah 1:23 +4
8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Spirit: Proverbs 14:29, 16:32, Galatians 5:22. Parallel theme: Proverbs 13:10, 15:18, Luke 21:19, Hebrews 10:36, James 5:8, 5:11, 1 Peter 1:13 +5
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. Parallel theme: Judges 6:13, Isaiah 50:1
11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
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. Parallel theme: Judges 9:15, Psalms 57:1, Proverbs 2:7, 3:18, 8:35, 11:4, Isaiah 32:2, 33:6, John 12:50, 17:3 +5
13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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.
The Limits of Human Wisdom
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. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 6:12
16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 12:12, Genesis 3:6, Job 28:28, Proverbs 23:4, 25:16, Luke 18:12, Romans 12:3, 1 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 2:18, 2:23 +5
17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. shall come forth of them all. References God: Ecclesiastes 8:12, 12:13, Luke 11:42. Good: Ecclesiastes 11:6. Parallel theme: Malachi 4:2, Luke 1:50
19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Parallel theme: Proverbs 21:22, 24:5
20 For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Sin: 1 Kings 8:46, 2 Chronicles 6:36, Proverbs 20:9, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23. Righteousness: Psalms 143:2, Isaiah 64:6. Parallel theme: Psalms 130:3, James 3:2 +4
21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: Word: Isaiah 29:21. Curse: 2 Samuel 16:10, Proverbs 30:10
22 For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. Parallel theme: Romans 1:22, 1 Corinthians 1:20
24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
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:
26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth GodGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity. shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. Sin: Ecclesiastes 2:26. Parallel theme: Proverbs 2:16, 9:18, 22:14
27 Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
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. Parallel theme: Job 33:23, Psalms 12:1, Isaiah 26:9
29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. References God: Psalms 99:8. Creation: Genesis 5:1. Parallel theme: Psalms 106:29, 106:39, Jeremiah 4:22, Titus 3:3