Ecclesiastes 7:1-9 ▼

1 Better is a good name than good oil, And better is the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth.

2 Better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting Because that is the end of all mankind, And the living puts this in his heart.

3 Better is vexation than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be merry.

4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the heart of fools is in the house of gladness.

5 Better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man Than for one to listen to the song of fools.

6 For as the crackling sound of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is vanity.

7 For oppression gives a wise man over to madness, And a bribe destroys the heart.

8 Better is the end of a matter than its beginning; Better is patience of spirit than haughtiness of spirit.

9 Do not be eager in your spirit to be vexed, For vexation rests in the bosom of fools.