Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 NLT

[1] A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. [2] Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies- so the living should take this to heart. [3] Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. [4] A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. [5] Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. [6] A fool's laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. [7] Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart. [8] Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. [9] Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. [10] Don't long for "the good old days." This is not wise. [11] Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. [12] Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. [13] Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? [14] Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life. [15] I have seen everything in this meaningless life, including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. [16] So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? [17] On the other hand, don't be too wicked either. Don't be a fool! Why die before your time? [18] Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes. [19] One wise person is stronger than ten leading citizens of a town! [20] Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins. [21] Don't eavesdrop on others-you may hear your servant curse you. [22] For you know how often you yourself have cursed others. [23] I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, "I am determined to be wise." But it didn't work. [24] Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. [25] I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. [26] I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare. [27] "This is my conclusion," says the Teacher. "I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. [28] Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman! [29] But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path."