1Surely there be many things that increase vanity, and what availeth it a man?
2For who knoweth what is good for man in the life, and in the number of the days of the life of his vanity, seeing he maketh them as a shadow? for who can show unto man what shall be after him under the sun?
3A good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of death, than the day that one is born.
4It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting, because this is the end of all men: and the living shall lay it to his heart.
5Anger is better than laughter: for by a sad look the heart is made better.
6The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
7Better it is to hear the rebuke of a wise man, than that a man should hear the song of fools.
8For like the noise of the thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
9Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and the reward destroyeth the heart.
10The end of a thing is better than the beginning thereof, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
11Be not thou of an hasty spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
12Say not thou, Why is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely of this thing.
13Wisdom is good with an inheritance, and excellent to them that see the sun.
14For man shall rest in the shadow of wisdom, and in the shadow of silver: but the excellency of the knowledge of wisdom giveth life to the possessors thereof.
15Behold the work of God; for who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?
16In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction consider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man should find nothing after him.
17I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his justice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.
18Be not thou just overmuch, neither make thyself overwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?
19Be not thou wicked overmuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?
20It is good that thou lay hold on this: but yet withdraw not thine hand from that: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
21Wisdom shall strengthen the wise men more than ten mighty princes that are in the city.
22Surely there is no man just in the earth that doeth good and sinneth not.
23Give not thine heart also to all the words that men speak, lest thou do hear thy servant cursing thee.
24For oftentimes also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast cursed others.
25All this have I proved by wisdom: I thought, I will be wise, but it went far from me.
26It is far off, what may it be? and it is a profound deepness, who can find it?
27I have compassed about, both I and mine heart to know and to inquire and to search wisdom, and reason, and to know the wickedness of folly, and the foolishness of madness,
28And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands as bands: he that is good before God, shall be delivered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.
29Behold, saith the Preacher, this have I found, seeking one by one to find the count:
30And yet my soul seeketh, but I find it not. I have found one man of a thousand: but a woman among them all have I not found.
31Only lo, this have I found, that God hath made man righteous: but they have sought many inventions.