rd

Ecclesiastes 7

Divers precepts to follow that which is good, and to avoid the contrary.
1.Surely there be many things that increase vanity and what availeth it man?
2.For who knoweth what is agood 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 shewe unto man what shalbe after him under the sun?
3.*A good name is better then a good ointment, and the day of bdeath, then the day that one is born.
4.It is better to go to the house of cmourning, then to go to the house of feasting, because this is the end of all men, and the living shal lay it to his heart.
5.Anger is better then laughter: for by a sad look the heart is made better.
6.The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
7.Better it is to hear the rebuke of a wise man, then that a man should hear the song of fools.
8.For like the noise of the dthorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool, this also in vanity.
9.Surely oppression maketh a wise man emad: and the reward destroyeth the heart.
10.The fend of a thing is better then the beginning thereof, and the patient in spirit is better then the proud in spirit.
11.Be not thou of an hasty spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
12.Say not thou, Why is it that the former days were better then these? for thou doest not inquire gwisely of this thing.
13.Wisdom is good with an hinheritance, and excellent to them that see the sun.
14.For man shal 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.
15.Behold the work of God: for who can make *straight that which he hath made crooked?
16.In the day of wealth be of good comfort, and in the day of affliction iconsider: God also hath made this contrary to that, to the intent that man should find knothing after him.
17.I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his ljustice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.
18.Be not thou just movermuch, neither make thy self over wise: wherefore shuldest thou be desolate?
19.Be not thou wicked novermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shuldest thou perish not in thy time?
20.It is good that thou lay hold on othis: but yet withdraw not thine hand from pthat: for he that feareth God, shal come forth of them all.
21.Wisdom shal strengthen the wise man more then ten mighty princes that are in the city.
22.*Surely there is no man just in the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.
23.Give not thine qheart also to all the words that men speak, lest thou do hear thy servant cursing thee.
24.For often times also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast ^cursed others.
25.All this have I proved by wisdom: I thought I wil be wise, but it went far from me.
26.It is far off, what may rit be? and it is a profound deepness, who can find it?
27.I 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,
28.And I find more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nets and snares, and her hands, as bands: he that is good before God, shalbe delivered from her, but the sinner shalbe taken by her.
29.Behold, saith the Preacher, this have I found, seeking one by one to sfind the count:
30.And 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.
31.Only lo, this have I found, that God hath made man righteous: but they have sought many tinventions.

Notes

2-*.
Job 14.2, Ps. 144.4.
2-a.
There is no state, wherein man can live to have perfect quietness in this life.
3-*.
Prov. 22.1.
3-b.
He speaks thus after the judgement of the flesh, which thinks death to be the end of all evils or els, because that this corporal death is the entering into life everlasting.
4-c.
Where we may see the hand of God and learn to examine our lives.
8-d.
Which crackle for a while and profit nothing.
9-e.
A man that is esteemed wise, when he falls to oppression, becomes like a beast.
10-f.
He notes their lightness which enterprise a thing, and suddenly leave it off again.
12-g.
Murmur not against God when he sends adversities for man’s sins.
13-h.
He answers to them that esteem not wisdom, except riches be joined therewith, showing that both are the gifts of God, but that wisdom is far more excellent and may be without riches.
15-*.
Ch. 1.15.
16-i.
Consider wherefore God does send it and what may comfort you.
16-k.
That man should be able to control nothing in his works.
17-l.
Meaning, that cruel tyrants put the godly to death and let the wicked go free.
18-m.
Boast not too much of your own justice and wisdom.
19-n.
Tarry not long when you are admonished to come out of the way of wickedness.
20-o.
To wit, on these admonitions that go before.
20-p.
Consider what desolation and destruction shall come, if you do not obey them.
22-*.
1 King 8.46, 2 Chron. 6.36, Prov. 20.9, 1 John 1.8.
23-q.
Credit them not, neither care for them.
24-^.
Or, spoken evil of others.
26-r.
Meaning, wisdom.
29-s.
That is, to come to a conclusion.
31-t.
And so are cause of their own destruction.