The King James Version Bible

Ecclesiastes 7:10-19

  1. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

  2. Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

  3. 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.

  4. Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

  8. Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

  9. 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.

  10. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.