Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Verse
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

Ecclesiastes 7:5-11
New American Standard Bible

Chapter 7

5It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise person Than for one to listen to the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool; And this too is futility. 7For oppression makes a wise person look foolish, And a bribe corrupts the heart. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than arrogance of spirit. 9Do not be eager in your spirit to be angry, For anger resides in the heart of fools. 10Do not say, 'Why is it that the former days were better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. 11Wisdom along with an inheritance is good, And an advantage to those who see the sun.
King James Version

Chapter 7

5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Christian Standard Bible

Chapter 7

5It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than to listen to the song of fools, 6for like the crackling of burning thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile. 7Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the mind. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. 9Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. 10Don’t say, "Why were the former days better than these?" since it is not wise of you to ask this. 11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and an advantage to those who see the sun,
New Living Translation

Chapter 7

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.
7Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.
8Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.
9Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.
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.
English Standard Version

Chapter 7

5It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. 7Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 8Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. 10Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
New International Version

Chapter 7

5It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person than to listen to the song of fools.
6Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.
7Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 8The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
10Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not wise to ask such questions. 11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun.
New King James Version

Chapter 7

5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7Surely oppression destroys a wise man’s reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. 10Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not inquire wisely concerning this. 11Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun.
What is the Gospel?
Download the app:
BibleRef.com is a ministry of