Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 CEV

[1] A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth. [2] It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die. [3] Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart. [4] A sensible person mourns, but fools always laugh. [5] Harsh correction is better than the songs of a fool. [6] Foolish laughter is stupid. It sounds like thorns crackling in a fire. [7] Corruption makes fools of sensible people, and bribes can ruin you. [8] Something completed is better than something just begun; patience is better than too much pride. [9] Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge. [10] It isn't wise to ask, "Why is everything worse than it used to be?" [11] Having wisdom is better than an inheritance. [12] Wisdom will protect you just like money; knowledge with good sense will lead you to life. [13] Think of what God has done! If God makes something crooked, can you make it straight? [14] When times are good, you should be cheerful; when times are bad, think what it means. God makes them both to keep us from knowing what will happen next. [15] I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, and I have seen criminals live to a ripe old age. [16] So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart! [17] Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool. [18] Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God. [19] Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city. [20] No one in this world always does right. [21] Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you. [22] Haven't you cursed many others? [23] I told myself that I would be smart and try to understand all of this, but it was too much for me. [24] The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep. [25] So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool. [26] Here is what I discovered: A bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for. [27] With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together, [28] but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman. [29] I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.