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

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

2 I t 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 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 heart.

3 S orrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness.

4 T he heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth and sensual joy.

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

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

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

For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

7 S urely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Surely oppression and extortion make a wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding and judgment.

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

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

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

Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools.

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

Do not say, Why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise or because of wisdom that you ask this.

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

Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yes, more excellent it is for those who see the sun.

12 F or wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

For wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the life of him who has it.

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

Consider the work of God: who can make straight what He has made crooked?

14 I n 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.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one side by side with the other, so that man may not find out anything that shall be after him.

15 A ll 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.

I have seen everything in the days of my vanity (my emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility): there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.

16 B e not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

Be not righteous overmuch, neither strive to make yourself overwise—why should you destroy yourself ?

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

be not wicked overmuch or willfully, neither be foolish—why should you die before your time?

18 I t 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 that you should take hold of this and from that withdraw not your hand; for he who fears and worships God will come forth from them all.

19 W isdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers or valiant generals who are in the city.

20 F or there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and never sins.

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

Do not give heed to everything that is said, lest you hear your servant cursing you—

22 F or oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

For often your own heart knows that you have likewise cursed others.

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

All this have I tried and proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise —but it was far from me.

24 T hat which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?

That which is is far off, and that which is deep is very 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:

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.

26 A nd 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.

And I found that more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

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

Behold, this I have found, says the Preacher, while weighing one thing after another to find out the right estimate —

28 W hich 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.

Which I am still seeking but have not found—one upright man among a thousand have I found, but an upright woman among all those have I not found.

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

Behold, this is the only I have found: God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.