Ecclesiastes 7:9-19
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 7
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. 12For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom keeps its possessors alive. 13Consider the work of God, For who is able to straighten what He has bent?
15I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness.
16Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?
17Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
18It is good that you grasp one thing while not letting go of the other; for one who fears God comes out with both of them.
King James Version
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.
12For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14In 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.
15All 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.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 7
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, 12because wisdom is protection as silver is protection; but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner. 13Consider the work of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?
15In my futile life I have seen everything: someone righteous perishes in spite of his righteousness, and someone wicked lives long in spite of his evil.
16Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
17Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
18It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them.
New Living Translation
11Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life.
12Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.
13Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
15I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people.
16So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself?
17On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time?
18Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.
English Standard Version
Chapter 7
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.
New International Version
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.
12Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.
13Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
New King James Version
Chapter 7
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. 12For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. 13Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.
15I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
16 Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
17Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?
18 It is good that you grasp this, And also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
19 Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
