Ecclesiastes 7:8-25
English Standard Version
Chapter 7
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. 12For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. 13Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.
15In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing.
16Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?
18It is good that you should take hold of this, and from that withhold not your hand, for the one who fears God shall come out from both of them.
21Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
