| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. | 1A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. |
| 2Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. | 2Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. |
| 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. | 3Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. |
| 4A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. | 4A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. |
| 5Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. | 5Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. |
| 6A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. | 6A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. |
| 7Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart. | 7Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart. |
| 8Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. | 8Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. |
| 9Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. | 9Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. |
| 10Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. | 10Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. |
| 11Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. | 11Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. |
| 12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. | 12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. |
| 13Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? | 13Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? |
| 14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. The Limits of Human Wisdom | 14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. The Limits of Human Wisdom |
| 15I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. | 15I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. |
| 16So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? | 16So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? |
| 17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? | 17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? |
| 18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. | 18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. |
| 19One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! | 19One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! |
| 20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. | 20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. |
| 21Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. | 21Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. |
| 22For you know how often you yourself have cursed others. | 22For you know how often you yourself have cursed others. |
| 23I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. | 23I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. |
| 24Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. | 24Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. |
| 25I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. | 25I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. |
| 26I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. | 26I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. |
| 27“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. | 27“This is my conclusion,” says the Teacher. “I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. |
| 28Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! | 28Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! |
| 29But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” | 29But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path.” |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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