Ecclesiastes 7:1-29 NCV

[1] It is better to have respect than good perfume. The day of death is better than the day of birth. [2] It is better to go to a funeral than to a party. We all must die, and everyone living should think about this. [3] Sorrow is better than laughter, and sadness has a good influence on you. [4] A wise person thinks about death, but a fool thinks only about having a good time. [5] It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. [6] The laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorns in a cooking fire. Both are useless. [7] Even wise people are fools if they let money change their thinking. [8] It is better to finish something than to start it. It is better to be patient than to be proud. [9] Don't become angry quickly, because getting angry is foolish. [10] Don't ask, "Why was life better in the 'good old days'?" It is not wise to ask such questions. [11] Wisdom is better when it comes with money. They both help those who are alive. [12] Wisdom is like money: they both help. But wisdom is better, because it can save whoever has it. [13] Look at what God has done: No one can straighten what he has bent. [14] When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. [15] In my useless life I have seen both of these: I have seen good people die in spite of their goodness and evil people live a long time in spite of their evil. [16] Don't be too right, and don't be too wise. Why destroy yourself? [17] Don't be too wicked, and don't be foolish. Why die before your time? [18] It is good to grab the one and not let go of the other; those who honor God will hold them both. [19] Wisdom makes a person stronger than ten leaders in a city. [20] Surely there is not a good person on earth who always does good and never sins. [21] Don't listen to everything people say, or you might hear your servant insulting you. [22] You know that many times you have insulted others. [23] I used wisdom to test all these things. I wanted to be wise, but it was too hard for me. [24] I cannot understand why things are as they are. It is too hard for anyone to understand. [25] I studied and tried very hard to find wisdom, to find some meaning for everything. I learned that it is foolish to be evil, and it is crazy to act like a fool. [26] I found that some women are worse than death and are as dangerous as traps. Their love is like a net, and their arms hold men like chains. A man who pleases God will be saved from them, but a sinner will be caught by them. [27] The Teacher says, "This is what I learned: I added all these things together to find some meaning for everything. [28] While I was searching, I did not find one man among the thousands I found. Nor did I find a woman among all these. [29] One thing I have learned: God made people good, but they have found all kinds of ways to be bad."