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 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 the beginning thereof: 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 defence,
and money is a defence: but the excellency 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 shouldest thou destroy
thyself?
17. Be not over much
wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy
time?
18. It 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.
19. Wisdom strengtheneth
the wise more than ten mighty men which 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 unto
all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22. For oftentimes also
thine 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 exceeding 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:
26. And 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.
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.
Sept. 21
Daily reading schedule.. go to chapter 8
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