Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes 7:1

AMP: A good name is better than precious perfume,And the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth.

ASV: A [good] name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one`s birth.

BSB: A good name is better than fine perfume,and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.

DARBY: A [good] name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

DRA: What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?

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

Ecclesiastes 7:2

AMP: It is better to go to the house of mourningThan to go to the house of feasting,For that [day of death] is the end of every man,And the living will take it to heart and solemnly ponder its meaning.

ASV: 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.

BSB: It is better to enter a house of mourningthan a house of feasting,since death is the end of every man,and the living should take this to heart.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:3

AMP: Sorrow is better than laughter,For when a face is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy [because it is growing in wisdom]. [2 Cor 7:10]

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

BSB: Sorrow is better than laughter,for a sad countenance is good for the heart.

DARBY: Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

DRA: It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:4

AMP: The heart of the wise [learns when it] is in the house of mourning,But the heart of fools is [senseless] in the house of pleasure.

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

BSB: The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

DARBY: The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth.

DRA: Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:5

AMP: It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise man and pursue wisdomThan for one to listen to the song of fools and pursue stupidity.

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

BSB: It is better to heed a wise man’s rebukethan to listen to the song of fools.

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

DRA: The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:6

AMP: For like the crackling of [burning] thorn bushes under a pot,So is the laughter of the fool;And this too is vanity (futility).

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

BSB: For like the crackling of thorns under the pot,so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.

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

DRA: It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:7

AMP: For oppression makes a wise man foolish,And a bribe corrupts the [good judgment of the] heart.

ASV: Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.

BSB: Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool,and a bribe corrupts the heart.

DARBY: Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart.

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

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

Ecclesiastes 7:8

AMP: The end of a matter is better than its beginning;Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride).

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

BSB: The end of a matter is better than the beginning,and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.

DARBY: Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.

DRA: Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:9

AMP: Do not be eager in your heart to be angry,For anger dwells in the heart of fools. [James 1:19, 20]

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

BSB: Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

DARBY: Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools.

DRA: Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:10

AMP: Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

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

BSB: Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”For it is unwise of you to ask about this.

DARBY: Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

DRA: Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:11

AMP: Wisdom along with an inheritance is goodAnd an [excellent] advantage for those who see the sun.

ASV: Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.

BSB: Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good,and it benefits those who see the sun.

DARBY: Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun.

DRA: Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:12

AMP: For wisdom is a protection even as money is a protection,But the [excellent] advantage of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the lives of its possessors.

ASV: For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

BSB: For wisdom, like money, is a shelter,and the advantage of knowledgeis that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:13

AMP: Consider the work of God:Who can make straight what He has bent?

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

BSB: Consider the work of God:Who can straighten what He has bent?

DARBY: Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

DRA: For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence : but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:14

AMP: In the day of prosperity be joyful,But in the day of adversity consider thatGod has made the one as well as the other,So that man will not find out anything that will be after him.

ASV: In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything [that shall be] after him.

BSB: In the day of prosperity, be joyful,but in the day of adversity, consider this:God has made one of these along with the other,so that a man cannot discoveranything that will come after him.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:15

AMP: I have seen everything during my [fleeting] days of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in [spite of] his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives a long life in [spite of] his wickedness.

ASV: All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth [his life] in his evil-doing.

BSB: In my futile life I have seen both of these:A righteous man perishing in his righteousness,and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:16

AMP: Do not be excessively righteous [like those given to self-conceit], and do not be overly wise (pretentious)—why should you bring yourself to ruin?

ASV: Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

BSB: Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

DARBY: Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

DRA: These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:17

AMP: Do not be excessively or willfully wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

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

BSB: Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

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

DRA: Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:18

AMP: It is good that you take hold of one thing (righteousness) and also not let go of the other (wisdom); for the one who fears and worships God [with awe-filled reverence] will come forth with both of them.

ASV: It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

BSB: It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:19

AMP: Wisdom strengthens the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. [Ps 127:1; 2 Tim 3:15]

ASV: Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

BSB: Wisdom makes the wise manstronger than ten rulers in a city.

DARBY: Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] that are in a city.

DRA: It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:20

AMP: Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who always does good and who never sins. [Is 53:6; Rom 3:23]

ASV: Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

BSB: Surely there is no righteous man on earthwho does good and never sins.

DARBY: Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

DRA: Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:21

AMP: Also, do not take seriously everything that is said, so that you will not hear your servant cursing you,

ASV: Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

BSB: Do not pay attention to every word that is spoken, or you may hear your servant cursing you.

DARBY: Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.

DRA: For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:22

AMP: for you also know that you too have cursed others many times.

ASV: for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

BSB: For you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

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

DRA: But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:23

AMP: I have tested all this with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise [independently of God],” but true wisdom was far from me.

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

BSB: All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

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

DRA: For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:24

AMP: Whatever has been is far off, deeply remote and exceedingly mysterious. Who can discover it [for it is beyond the grasp of man]? [Job 28:12-28; 1 Cor 2:9-16]

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

BSB: What exists is out of reach and very deep. Who can fathom it?

DARBY: Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out?

DRA: I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,

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

Ecclesiastes 7:25

AMP: I turned around and directed my heart to know, to investigate and to seek [skillful and godly] wisdom and the reason for things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness [leading to stupidity and recklessness].

ASV: I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.

BSB: I directed my mind to understand, to explore, to search out wisdom and explanations, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the folly of madness.

DARBY: 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;

DRA: Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?

KJV: 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:

Ecclesiastes 7:26

AMP: And I discovered that [of all irrational sins none has been so destructive in beguiling one away from God as immoral women for] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is [composed of] snares and nets, and whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the sinner will be taken captive by her [evil].

ASV: And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, [and] whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

BSB: And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:27

AMP: “Behold, I have discovered this,” says the Preacher, “while adding one thing to another to find an explanation,

ASV: Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account;

BSB: “Behold,” says the Teacher, “I have discovered this by adding one thing to another to find an explanation.

DARBY: See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, [searching] one by one to find out the reason;

DRA: And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:28

AMP: which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand [who pleases God], but I have not found [such] a woman among all these [a thousand in my harem]. [1 Kin 11:3]

ASV: which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

BSB: While my soul was still searching but not finding, among a thousand I have found one upright man, but among all these I have not found one such woman.

DARBY: 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.

DRA: Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,

KJV: 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.

Ecclesiastes 7:29

AMP: Behold, I have found only this [as a reason]: God made man upright and uncorrupted, but they [both men and women] have sought out many devices [for evil].”

ASV: Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

BSB: Only this have I found: I have discovered that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”

DARBY: Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.

DRA: Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.

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

Ecclesiastes 7:30

DRA: Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word?