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OET by section ECC 7:1

ECC 7:1–9:12 ©

The life

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

7:1 The life

7A good reputation is better than expensive perfume,[ref]

and the day you die is more important than the day of your birth.

2It’s better to go to a house where there’s mourning than to a house where there’s a party,

because death is the end of each person,

and those still alive should consider this in their hearts.

3Laughter is better than grief

because a serious face means that the mind is working.

4Wise people do their thinking at a funeral,

whereas foolish people prefer to spend time at a party.

5It’s better to accept a rebuke from a wise person

than to listen to the songs from foolish people,

6because the laughter of a fool

is like the crackling of burning thorn twigs under a cooking pot—

that’s also pointless.

7Oppression drives a wise person insane,

and a bribe destroys a person’s morals.

8Finishing something is better than starting it,

and being patient is better than being proud.

9Don’t be quick to get angry,[ref]

because anger belongs in a fool’s toolbox.

10Don’t ask, “What was it about the old days that were better than these?”

because that question doesn’t display wisdom.

11Wisdom is good when you get an inheritance,

and it’s an advantage to those doing well.

12Wisdom can protect us just like money can,

but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

13Look at God’s work:

who can straighten what he’s made crooked?

14Be happy on a good day,

but on a day of problems, consider this:

God caused one, as well as the other

humanity can’t discover what’s going to come next.

15I’ve seen everything in my days of pointlessness:

There’s godly people dying despite doing everything right,

and there are wicked people living long lives doing evil.

16Don’t be highly righteous or overly wise—

Why go to the trouble of destroying yourself?

17Don’t be very wicked and don’t be a fool—

why should you die when it’s not your time?

18It’s good to take hold of wisdom and don’t rest from doing what is right,

because the godly person should continue with both of them.

19Wisdom gives strength to the wise—

more than the ten most powerful men in the city.

20But yes, there’s no person on the earth who’s truly good,

only doing what is right and never disobeying.

21Don’t give your attention to everything that people say,

otherwise you might hear your servant speaking against you,

22because you know how often you’ve belittled others yourself.


23I tested all of that with wisdom.

I said, “Let me be wise,” but it eluded me.

24It seemed far away

and deeper down than anyone can find.

25I changed my mind’s direction to try to learn and explore—

to search for wisdom and to understand how things work,

and to understand the foolishness of wickedness and how that leads to madness.


26I learnt that a woman who takes advantage of you leads to more bitterness than death would be

her heart is like a net and her hands become chains.

Any person that’s good in God’s eyes would escape from her,

but an ungodly person would end up captured by her.

27The leader has discovered that—

adding one thing to another to try to find an explanation for everything.

28I continually tried to learn more, but I didn’t find it.

I found one special man out of a thousand

but I couldn’t find one such woman out of all of them.

29This is the only conclusion I came to:

God made humankind to do good, but instead they’ve come up with many other kinds of schemes.

8Who’s like the wise person and understands what’s going on?

A person’s wisdom makes their face lighten up

and gives their face a certain firmness.

2Follow the king’s orders

because of your promise to God.

3Don’t rush away from the king’s presence

or take a stand on an evil matter

because whatever he wants to do, he’ll do.

4A king’s word is authoritative—

who’ll ask him what he thinks he’s doing?

5Those who follow commands will stay out of trouble,

and a wise person will know the right time and place for something

6because there’s a time and a right way to do everything,

otherwise humanity’s misery will be severe.

7No one knows what the future will bring

so no one can tell you what will happen next.

8Just as no person has control over the wind to be able to restrain it,

nor does anyone have authority over the day of their death.

Just as no one can be discharged in the middle of a war,

nor can being wicked rescue you from your situation.

9I saw all that and applied my mind to everything that happens in this world.

I saw that sometimes a person can dominate someone else to that person’s detriment.

10I’ve seen wicked people being buried—

being carried out from a sacred place,

and what they’d done there in the city was just forgotten.

That’s also pointless.

11When an evil activity isn’t quickly condemned,

then humanity will become totally determined to do evil.

12Even if an ungodly person does some evil thing a hundred times over and goes on to live a long time,

I know that things will go better for those who respect and obey God.

13It won’t go well for the wicked and what they do won’t help them live longer

because they’ve shown no respect for God’s presence.

14There’s something else strange that happens in this world:

when bad things happen to godly people

and when good things happen to evil people.

That’s also hard to understand.

15Then I recommended enjoyment

because there’s nothing better for a person in this world than to eat and drink and be cheery,

then that attitude will be with them as they work

during the days of their life that God gives them in this world.

16So when I set my mind on gaining wisdom

and observing all the business done on this earth,

because day and night there’s someone not sleeping,

17and I saw everything that God does—

realising that humanity can’t discover everything that’s done in this world

they’ll try to discover it but fail.

Every if a wise person claimed to know,

they wouldn’t be able to discover it.

9Indeed I set my mind to examine all this

and concluded that godly and wise people and their work is in God’s hands.

Being loved or being hated, humankind doesn’t know what’s ahead of them.

2We all have the same fate whether godly or wicked,

or good or pure or impure,

whether you sacrifice or not,

or you’re good or disobedient,

or you make a promise or you’re the subject of a promise.

3There’s evil in everything that’s done in this world:

that same final event for everyone.

Yes, humankind’s minds are full of evil and madness during their lifetimes,

and after that they join the dead.

4Anyone who’s joined to the living has hope,

because a dog that’s alive is better than a lion that’s dead,

5because the living know that we’ll die

but the dead don’t know anything

and have no further reward because their memory is forgotten.

6Their love and hatred and their envy will have already perished,

and they no longer have a part in everything that’s done in this world.

7So go and enjoy eating your food and drinking your wine

because God has already approved what you’ve been doing.

8Always let your clothes be clean and white,

and don’t spare the use of lotion on your head.

9Live together with the wife that you love

for all the length of your pointless life that you’re given in this world,

because that’s your allocation in your life

and in the work that you’re doing in this world.

10Everything that you find to do, do it well,

because in the grave where you’ll be going,

there’s no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.


11I again saw in this world

that the fastest ones don’t always win the race,

the most powerful side doesn’t always win the war,

wise people don’t always have enough to eat,

intelligent people don’t always get wealthy,

and people with understanding don’t always win favour,

because chance and timing affects them all.

12You see, humanity doesn’t know when their time is about to be up:

just like a fish getting caught in a deadly net,

or birds that get caught in a trap,

so too people can get caught out when trouble suddenly hits them.


7is_good a_name than_ointment good and_day_of the_death than_day_of birth_one’s.
2is_good to_go to a_house_of mourning than_go to a_house_of a_feast in/on/at/with_what it is_the_end_of every_of the_humankind and_the_living he_will_give to his/its_heart.
3is_good vexation than_laughter if/because in/on/at/with_sad_of face a_heart it_will_be_good.
4the_heart_of wise_people in_house_of mourning and_heart_of fools in_house_of rejoicing.
5is_good to_listen the_rebuke_of a_wise_person from_man who_listens_to the_song_of fools.
6If/because like_crackling_of the_thorns under the_pot so the_laughter_of the_fools and_also this is_futility.
7If/because the_oppression it_will_make_look_foolish a_wise_person and_corrupts a_bribe DOM a_heart.
8is_good the_end_of a_matter than_beginning_of_its is_good a_person_long_of spirit than_proud_of spirit.
9Do_not be_hasty in/on/at/with_spirit_of_your to_anger if/because anger in/on/at/with_bosom_of fools it_settles.
10Do_not say why was_it that_the_days the_former they_were good from_these if/because not from_wisdom you_have_asked on this.
11is_good wisdom with an_inheritance and_advantage to_see_of the_sun.
12If/because in/on/at/with_protection the_wisdom in/on/at/with_protection the_money and_advantage_of knowledge the_wisdom it_preserves_alive possessor_of_its.
13Consider DOM the_work_of the_ʼElohīm if/because who is_he_able to_make_straight DOM that_which made_crooked_he.
14In/on_day good be in/on/at/with_joyful and_in/on/at/with_day_of adversity consider also DOM this as_well_as_of this he_has_made the_ʼElohīm on cause_of that_not he_will_find_out the_humankind after_him anything.
15DOM the_everything I_have_seen in/on/at/with_life_of vain_of_my there_is a_righteous_person who_perishes in/on/at/with_righteousness_of_his and_there_is a_wicked_person who_prolongs in/on/at/with_evil_of_his.
16Do_not be righteous greatly and_not make_yourself_wise excessively to/for_what will_you_destroy_yourself.
17Do_not be_wicked greatly and_not be a_fool to/for_what will_you_die in/on/at/with_before time_of_your.
18is_good (cmp) you_will_take_hold in/on/at/with_the_one and_also of_the_other do_not give_rest_to DOM hand_of_your if/because one_fearing_of (of)_god he_will_go_out DOM both_of_them.
19The_wisdom it_gives_strength to_the_wise from_ten rulers who they_are in/on/at/with_city.
20If/because anyone there_is_not righteous on_the_earth who he_does good and_not he_sins.
21Also to/from_all/each/any/every the_word which people_speak do_not give attention_of_you that not you_will_hear DOM servant_of_your cursing_of_you.
22If/because also times many heart_of_your it_knows (cmp) also you[fn] you_have_cursed others.
23All_of this I_have_put_to_the_test in/on/at/with_wisdom I_said let_me_be_wise and_she was_far from_me.
24is_far_away whatever which_is and_deep deep who discover_it.
25I_turned I and_mind_of_my to_know and_to_search_out and_ wisdom _seek and_scheme and_to_ wickedness _know stupidity and_the_folly madness(es).
26And_find I bitter more_than_death DOM the_woman who she is_snares and_nets her/its_heart are_fetters hands_of_whose a_person_good to_(the)_face_of/in_front_of/before the_ʼElohīm he_escapes from_her/it and_sinner he_is_captured in/on/at/with_her.
27Consider this I_have_found Teacher she_said one to_another to_find the_scheme_of_things.
28Which again it_has_sought soul_of_my and_not I_have_found a_man one among_a_thousand I_have_found and_woman in/on/at/with_all_of these not I_have_found.
29To/for_only consider this I_have_found (cmp) he_made the_ʼElohīm DOM the_humankind upright and_they they_have_sought schemes many.
8Who like_the_wise and_who is_knowing the_interpretation_of a_matter the_wisdom_of anyone it_makes_shine his/its_faces/face and_hardness_of his/its_faces/face it_is_changed.
2I the_mouth_of a_king keep and_because_of the_cause_of the_oath_of god.
3Do_not be_hasty from_presence_of_his you_will_go do_not stand in/on/at/with_matter evil if/because all that he_will_desire he_will_do.
4In/on/at/with_that a_word_of a_king is_mastery and_who will_he_say to_him/it what are_you_doing.
5one_who_keeps_of (of)_a_command not he_will_know a_thing evil and_proper_time and_procedure the_heart it_will_know a_wise_person.
6If/because to/from_all/each/any/every matter there_is an_appropriate_time and_procedure if/because the_trouble_of the_humankind is_great on/upon/above_him/it.
7If/because no_they is_knowing what that_happen if/because just_as it_will_be who will_he_tell to_him/it.
8There_is_not anyone having_mastery in/on/at/with_wind to_restrain DOM the_wind and_there_is_no mastery in/on_day the_death and_no discharge in/on/at/with_war and_not wickedness it_will_rescue DOM practice_of_it.
9DOM all_of this I_have_seen and_applied DOM mind_of_my to/from_all/each/any/every deed which it_is_done under the_sun a_time when he_has_power the_humankind in/on/at/with_another to_hurt to_him/it.
10And_in/on/at/with_such I_have_seen wicked_people being_buried and_go_in and_from_place_of holy they_went and_forgotten in/on/at/with_city where right they_had_done also this is_futility.
11That not it_is_done the_sentence_of the_deed_of the_evil quickly on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in yes/correct/thus/so it_is_full the_heart_of the_children_of the_humankind (is)_in_them for_doing evil.
12That a_sinner is_doing evil a_hundred_times_of and_prolongs_life to_him/it if/because also am_knowing I (cmp) it_will_belong good with_fear_of the_ʼElohīm that they_fear at_before_presence_of_him.
13And_good not it_will_belong with_the_wicked and_not he_will_prolong days like_the_shadow that not_they he_has_feared from_to/for_face/front/presence god.
14There_is futility which it_is_done on the_earth/land (cmp) there_are righteous_people whom it_is_happening to_them according_to_deeds_of the_wicked and_there_are wicked_people who_happens to_them according_to_deeds_of the_righteous I_said that_too this is_futility.
15And_commend I DOM the_enjoyment that there_is_not good for_a_man under the_sun if/because (if) to_eat and_to_drink and_to_enjoy and_he accompany_him in/on/at/with_toil_of_his the_days_of his/its_life which he_has_given to_him/it the_ʼElohīm under the_sun.
16Just_as I_gave DOM mind_of_my to_know wisdom and_to_see DOM the_business which it_is_done on the_earth/land if/because also in_the_day and_in_the_night sleep in/on/at/with_eyes_of_one’s not_he is_seeing.
17And_saw DOM all_of the_work_of the_ʼElohīm if/because not he_is_able the_humankind to_discover DOM the_work which it_is_done under the_sun in/on/at/with_spite_of that he_toils the_humankind in_seeking and_not he_will_find_out and_also if he_will_say the_wise to_know not he_will_be_able to_discover.
9If/because DOM all_of this I_have_given to heart_of_my and_to_concluded DOM all_of this (cmp) the_righteous and_the_wise and_deeds_of_their in/on/at/with_hand_of the_ʼElohīm both love as_well_as hatred not is_knowing the_humankind the_everything to/for_confronts_of_them.
2The_everything just_as for_the_all fate one to_the_righteous and_to_the_wicked to_the_good and_to_the_clean and_to_the_unclean and_to_those_sacrifice and_to_the_one not_he is_sacrificing as_the_good so_the_sinner the_swear just_as an_oath one_fearing.
3This is_an_evil in/on/at/with_all that it_is_done under the_sun if/because fate one to_the_everyone and_also the_heart_of the_children_of the_humankind is_full evil and_madness in/on/at/with_hearts_of_their in/on/at/with_live_of_they and_after_that to the_dead.
4If/because who is_the_one_who he_is_united[fn] to all_of the_living there_is hope if/because to_dog living it is_good more_than the_lion the_dead.
5If/because the_life are_knowing that_die and_the_dead not_they are_knowing anything and_no still to/for_them a_reward if/because memory_of_them it_is_forgotten.
6Both love_of_their as_well_as hate_of_their as_well_as envy_of_their already it_has_perished and_share there_is_not to/for_them again have_ever in/on/at/with_all that it_is_done under the_sun.
7Go eat in/on/at/with_joy bread_of_your and_drink in/on/at/with_heart_of good wine_of_your if/because already he_has_taken_pleasure_in the_ʼElohīm DOM what_do_of_your.
8In_all time let_them_be garments_of_your white and_oil on head_of_your not let_it_be_lacking.
9See life with a_wife whom you_love all_of the_days_of the_life_of vain_of_your which he_has_given to/for_yourself(m) under the_sun all_of the_days_of fleeting_of_your if/because it portion_of_your in/on/at/with_life and_in/on/at/with_toil_of_your which you are_toiling under the_sun.
10All that it_finds hand_of_your for_doing in/on/at/with_might_of_your do if/because there_is_not work and_planning and_knowledge and_wisdom in/on/at/with_shəʼōl where you are_going  there_to.
11I_returned and_saw under the_sun if/because_that not to_the_swift the_race and_not to_the_strong the_battle and_also not to_THE_wise food and_also not to_the_intelligent wealth and_also not to_the_skillful favour if/because time and_chance it_happens_to DOM all_of_them.
12If/because also not he_knows the_humankind DOM time_of_his like_the_fish that_caught in/on/at/with_net evil and_as/like_birds the_caught in/on/at/with_snare so_they are_ensnared the_children_of the_humankind at_time_of evil when_that_falls upon_them suddenly.

7:22 OSHB variant note: את: (x-qere) ’אַתָּ֖ה’: lemma_859 c n_0.0 morph_HPp2ms id_21fA1 אַתָּ֖ה

9:4 OSHB variant note: יבחר: (x-qere) ’יְחֻבַּ֔ר’: lemma_2266 n_1.1 morph_HVPi3ms id_21t8g יְחֻבַּ֔ר

ECC 7:1–9:12 ©

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