Ecclesiastes 7:1
American King James A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
American Standard Version A `good' name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one's birth.
King James A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
World English Bible A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one’s birth.
Ecclesiastes 7:2
American King James It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
American Standard Version It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
King James It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
World English Bible It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living should take this to heart.
Ecclesiastes 7:3
American King James Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
American Standard Version Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.
King James Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
World English Bible Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
Ecclesiastes 7:4
American King James The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
American Standard Version The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
King James The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
World English Bible The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
American King James It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
American Standard Version It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
King James It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
World English Bible It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:6
American King James For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
American Standard Version For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
King James For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
World English Bible For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 7:7
American King James Surely oppression makes a wise man mad; and a gift destroys the heart.
American Standard Version Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.
King James Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
World English Bible Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
American King James Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
American Standard Version Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; `and' the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
King James Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
World English Bible Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
American King James Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
American Standard Version Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
King James Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
World English Bible Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:10
American King James Say not you, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
American Standard Version Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
King James Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
World English Bible Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.
Ecclesiastes 7:11
American King James Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
American Standard Version Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun.
King James Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
World English Bible Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
Ecclesiastes 7:12
American King James For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it.
American Standard Version For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
King James 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.
World English Bible For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Ecclesiastes 7:13
American King James Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?
American Standard Version Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
King James Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
World English Bible Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight which he has made crooked?
Ecclesiastes 7:14
American King James In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
American Standard Version In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything `that shall be' after him.
King James 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.
World English Bible In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
Ecclesiastes 7:15
American King James All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongs his life in his wickedness.
American Standard Version All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth `his life' in his evil-doing.
King James 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.
World English Bible All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.
Ecclesiastes 7:16
American King James Be not righteous over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself ?
American Standard Version Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
King James Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
World English Bible Don’t be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Ecclesiastes 7:17
American King James Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?
American Standard Version Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
King James Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
World English Bible Don’t be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
Ecclesiastes 7:18
American King James It is good that you should take hold of this; yes, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears God shall come forth of them all.
American Standard Version It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.
King James 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.
World English Bible It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also don’t withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all.
Ecclesiastes 7:19
American King James Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
American Standard Version Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
King James Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
World English Bible Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
Ecclesiastes 7:20
American King James For there is not a just man on earth, that does good, and sins not.
American Standard Version Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
King James For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
World English Bible Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn’t sin.
Ecclesiastes 7:21
American King James Also take no heed to all words that are spoken; lest you hear your servant curse you:
American Standard Version Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;
King James Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
World English Bible Also don’t take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
Ecclesiastes 7:22
American King James For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise have cursed others.
American Standard Version for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
King James For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
World English Bible for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:23
American King James All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
American Standard Version All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
King James All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
World English Bible All this I have proved in wisdom. I said, “I will be wise;” but it was far from me.
Ecclesiastes 7:24
American King James That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
American Standard Version That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
King James That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
World English Bible That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?
Ecclesiastes 7:25
American King James I applied my 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:
American Standard Version I turned about, and my heart `was set' to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason `of things', and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness.
King James 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:
World English Bible I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
American King James And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
American Standard Version And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, `and' whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
King James 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.
World English Bible I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
Ecclesiastes 7:27
American King James Behold, this have I found, said the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
American Standard Version Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, `laying' one thing to another, to find out the account;
King James Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
World English Bible “Behold, I have found this,” says the Preacher, “to one another, to find an explanation
Ecclesiastes 7:28
American King James Which yet my soul seeks, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
American Standard Version which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
King James 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.
World English Bible which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those.
Ecclesiastes 7:29
American King James See, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
American Standard Version Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
King James Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
World English Bible Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions.”