Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 NET

[1] A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. [2] It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart. [3] Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart. [4] The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking. [5] It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools. [6] For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless. [7] Surely oppression can turn a wise person into a fool; likewise, a bribe corrupts the heart. [8] The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride. [9] Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools. [10] Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that. [11] Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day. [12] For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner. [13] Consider the work of God: For who can make straight what he has bent? [14] In times of prosperity be joyful, but in times of adversity consider this: God has made one as well as the other, so that no one can discover what the future holds. [15] During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds. [16] So do not be excessively righteous or excessively wise; otherwise you might be disappointed. [17] Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool; otherwise you might die before your time. [18] It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings. [19] Wisdom gives a wise person more protection than ten rulers in a city. [20] For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins. [21] Also, do not pay attention to everything that people say; otherwise, you might even hear your servant cursing you. [22] For you know in your own heart that you also have cursed others many times. [23] I have examined all this by wisdom; I said, "I am determined to comprehend this"-but it was beyond my grasp. [24] Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom. [25] I tried to understand, examine, and comprehend the role of wisdom in the scheme of things, and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the insanity of folly. [26] I discovered this: More bitter than death is the kind of woman who is like a hunter's snare; her heart is like a hunter's net and her hands are like prison chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is captured by her. [27] The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item. [28] What I have continually sought, I have not found; I have found only one upright man among a thousand, but I have not found one upright woman among all of them. [29] This alone have I discovered: God made humankind upright, but they have sought many evil schemes.