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.
3. Sorrow [is] better than laughter for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
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.
6. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool this also [is] vanity.
7. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8. Better [is] the end of a thing than its beginning [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.
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 inquire wisely concerning this.
11. Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance and [by it there is] profit to them that see the sun.
12. For wisdom [is] a defense, [and] money [is] a defense but the excellence of knowledge [is], [that] wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
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.
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.
16. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise why shouldst thou destroy thyself?
17. Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish why shouldst thou die before thy time?
18. [It is] good that thou shouldst take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not thy hand for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.
19. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty [men] who are in the city.
20. For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21. Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee
22. For often also thy 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.
24. That which is far off, and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
25. I applied my 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 whoever pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
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.
29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.