Ecclesiastes 7

A Good name is better then precious ointment: and the day of death, then the day of ones birth.

GenevaSurely there be many things that increase vanitie: and what auaileth it man?

ט֥וֹב שֵׁ֖ם מִ/שֶּׁ֣מֶן ט֑וֹב וְ/י֣וֹם הַ/מָּ֔וֶת מִ/יּ֖וֹם הִוָּלְדֽ/וֹ

¶ It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the liuing will lay it to his heart.

GenevaFor who knoweth what is good for man in the life and in the nomber of the dayes of the life of his vanitie, seeing he maketh them as a shadowe? For who can shewe vnto man what shall be after him vnder the sunne?

ט֞וֹב לָ/לֶ֣כֶת אֶל בֵּֽית אֵ֗בֶל מִ/לֶּ֨כֶת֙ אֶל בֵּ֣ית מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בַּ/אֲשֶׁ֕ר ה֖וּא ס֣וֹף כָּל הָ/אָדָ֑ם וְ/הַ/חַ֖י יִתֵּ֥ן אֶל לִבּֽ/וֹ

Sorrow is better then laughter: for by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better.

GenevaA good name is better then a good oyntment, and the day of death, then the day that one is borne.

ט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִ/שְּׂחֹ֑ק כִּֽי בְ/רֹ֥עַ פָּנִ֖ים יִ֥יטַב לֵֽב

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth.

GenevaIt is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting, because this is the ende of all men: and the liuing shall lay it to his heart.

לֵ֤ב חֲכָמִים֙ בְּ/בֵ֣ית אֵ֔בֶל וְ/לֵ֥ב כְּסִילִ֖ים בְּ/בֵ֥ית שִׂמְחָֽה

It is better to heare the rebuke of the wise, then for a man to heare the song of fooles.

GenevaAnger is better then laughter: for by a sad looke the heart is made better.

ט֕וֹב לִ/שְׁמֹ֖עַ גַּעֲרַ֣ת חָכָ֑ם מֵ/אִ֕ישׁ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ שִׁ֥יר כְּסִילִֽים

For as the crackling of thornes vnder a pot, so is the laughter of the foole: this also is vanitie.

GenevaThe heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: but the heart of fooles is in the house of mirth.

כִּ֣י כְ/ק֤וֹל הַ/סִּירִים֙ תַּ֣חַת הַ/סִּ֔יר כֵּ֖ן שְׂחֹ֣ק הַ/כְּסִ֑יל וְ/גַם זֶ֖ה הָֽבֶל

¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and a gift destroyeth the heart.

GenevaBetter it is to heare ye rebuke of a wise man, then that a man should heare the song of fooles.

כִּ֥י הָ/עֹ֖שֶׁק יְהוֹלֵ֣ל חָכָ֑ם וִֽ/יאַבֵּ֥ד אֶת לֵ֖ב מַתָּנָֽה

Better is the ende of a thing then the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit.

GenevaFor like ye noyse of the thornes vnder the pot, so is the laughter of the foole: this also is vanitie.

ט֛וֹב אַחֲרִ֥ית דָּבָ֖ר מֵֽ/רֵאשִׁית֑/וֹ ט֥וֹב אֶֽרֶךְ ר֖וּחַ מִ/גְּבַהּ רֽוּחַ

Be not hastie in thy spirit to bee angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.

GenevaSurely oppression maketh a wise man mad: and the rewarde destroyeth the heart.

אַל תְּבַהֵ֥ל בְּ/רֽוּחֲ/ךָ֖ לִ/כְע֑וֹס כִּ֣י כַ֔עַס בְּ/חֵ֥יק כְּסִילִ֖ים יָנֽוּחַ

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former dayes were better then these? For thou doest not enquire wisely concerning this.

GenevaThe ende of a thing is better then the beginning thereof, and the pacient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit.

אַל תֹּאמַר֙ מֶ֣ה הָיָ֔ה שֶׁ֤/הַ/יָּמִים֙ הָ/רִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים הָי֥וּ טוֹבִ֖ים מֵ/אֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֛י לֹ֥א מֵ/חָכְמָ֖ה שָׁאַ֥לְתָּ עַל זֶֽה

¶ Wisedome is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profite to them that see the sunne.

GenevaBe not thou of an hastie spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosome of fooles.

טוֹבָ֥ה חָכְמָ֖ה עִֽם נַחֲלָ֑ה וְ/יֹתֵ֖ר לְ/רֹאֵ֥י הַ/שָּֽׁמֶשׁ

For wisedome is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellencie of knowledge is, that wisedome giueth life to them that haue it.

GenevaSay not thou, Why is it that the former dayes were better then these? for thou doest not enquire wisely of this thing.

כִּ֛י בְּ/צֵ֥ל הַֽ/חָכְמָ֖ה בְּ/צֵ֣ל הַ/כָּ֑סֶף וְ/יִתְר֣וֹן דַּ֔עַת הַֽ/חָכְמָ֖ה תְּחַיֶּ֥ה בְעָלֶֽי/הָ

Consider the worke of God: for who can make that straight, which hee hath made crooked?

GenevaWisedome is good with an inheritance, and excellent to them that see the sunne.

רְאֵ֖ה אֶת מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה הָ/אֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּ֣י מִ֤י יוּכַל֙ לְ/תַקֵּ֔ן אֵ֖ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִוְּתֽ/וֹ

In the day of prosperitie be ioyfull, but in the day of aduersitie consider: God also hath set the one ouer against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

GenevaFor man shall rest in the shadowe of wisedome, and in the shadowe of siluer: but the excellencie of the knowledge of wisedome giueth life to the possessers thereof.

בְּ/י֤וֹם טוֹבָה֙ הֱיֵ֣ה בְ/ט֔וֹב וּ/בְ/י֥וֹם רָעָ֖ה רְאֵ֑ה גַּ֣ם אֶת זֶ֤ה לְ/עֻמַּת זֶה֙ עָשָׂ֣ה הָֽ/אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל דִּבְרַ֗ת שֶׁ/לֹּ֨א יִמְצָ֧א הָֽ/אָדָ֛ם אַחֲרָ֖י/ו מְאֽוּמָה

All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnes, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednes.

GenevaBeholde the worke of God: for who can make straight that which he hath made crooked?

אֶת הַ/כֹּ֥ל רָאִ֖יתִי בִּ/ימֵ֣י הֶבְלִ֑/י יֵ֤שׁ צַדִּיק֙ אֹבֵ֣ד בְּ/צִדְק֔/וֹ וְ/יֵ֣שׁ רָשָׁ֔ע מַאֲרִ֖יךְ בְּ/רָעָתֽ/וֹ

Be not righteous ouer much, neither make thy selfe ouer wise: why shouldest thou destroy thy selfe?

GenevaIn 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 shoulde finde nothing after him.

אַל תְּהִ֤י צַדִּיק֙ הַרְבֵּ֔ה וְ/אַל תִּתְחַכַּ֖ם יוֹתֵ֑ר לָ֖/מָּה תִּשּׁוֹמֵֽם

Be not ouermuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

GenevaI haue seene all things in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his iustice, and there is a wicked man that continueth long in his malice.

אַל תִּרְשַׁ֥ע הַרְבֵּ֖ה וְ/אַל תְּהִ֣י סָכָ֑ל לָ֥/מָּה תָמ֖וּת בְּ/לֹ֥א עִתֶּֽ/ךָ

It is good that thou shouldest take holde of this, yea also from this withdraw not thine hand: for hee that feareth God, shall come foorth of them all.

GenevaBe not thou iust ouermuch, neither make thy selfe ouerwise: wherefore shouldest thou be desolate?

ט֚וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֶּאֱחֹ֣ז בָּ/זֶ֔ה וְ/גַם מִ/זֶּ֖ה אַל תַּנַּ֣ח אֶת יָדֶ֑/ךָ כִּֽי יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים יֵצֵ֥א אֶת כֻּלָּֽ/ם

Wisedome strengtheneth the wise, more then ten mightie men which are in the citie.

GenevaBe not thou wicked ouermuch, neither be thou foolish: wherefore shouldest thou perish not in thy time?

הַֽ/חָכְמָ֖ה תָּעֹ֣ז לֶ/חָכָ֑ם מֵֽ/עֲשָׂרָה֙ שַׁלִּיטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ בָּ/עִֽיר

For there is not a iust man vpon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

GenevaIt is good that thou lay hold on this: but yet withdrawe not thine hand from that: for he that feareth God, shall come forth of them all.

כִּ֣י אָדָ֔ם אֵ֥ין צַדִּ֖יק בָּ/אָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲשֶׂה טּ֖וֹב וְ/לֹ֥א יֶחֱטָֽא

Also take no heede vnto all words that are spoken; lest thou heare thy seruant curse thee.

GenevaWisedome shall strengthen the wise man more then ten mightie princes that are in ye citie.

גַּ֤ם לְ/כָל הַ/דְּבָרִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ אַל תִּתֵּ֖ן לִבֶּ֑/ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא תִשְׁמַ֥ע אֶֽת עַבְדְּ/ךָ֖ מְקַלְלֶֽ/ךָ

For often times also thine owne heart knoweth, that thou thy selfe likewise hast cursed others.

GenevaSurely there is no man iust in the earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.

כִּ֛י גַּם פְּעָמִ֥ים רַבּ֖וֹת יָדַ֣ע לִבֶּ֑/ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר גַּם את קִלַּ֥לְתָּ אֲחֵרִֽים

¶ All this haue I prooued by wisedome: I said, I will be wise, but it was farre from me.

GenevaGiue not thine heart also to all ye wordes that men speake, lest thou doe heare thy seruant cursing thee.

כָּל זֹ֖ה נִסִּ֣יתִי בַֽ/חָכְמָ֑ה אָמַ֣רְתִּי אֶחְכָּ֔מָה וְ/הִ֖יא רְחוֹקָ֥ה מִמֶּֽ/נִּי

That which is farre off, and exceeding deepe, who can finde it out?

GenevaFor often times also thine heart knoweth that thou likewise hast cursed others.

רָח֖וֹק מַה שֶּׁ/הָיָ֑ה וְ/עָמֹ֥ק עָמֹ֖ק מִ֥י יִמְצָאֶֽ/נּוּ

I applyed mine heart to know, and to search, and to seeke out wisdome, and the reason of things, aud to know the wickednes of folly, euen of foolishnesse and madnesse.

GenevaAll this haue I prooued by wisedome: I thought I will be wise, but it went farre from me.

סַבּ֨וֹתִֽי אֲנִ֤י וְ/לִבִּ/י֙ לָ/דַ֣עַת וְ/לָ/ת֔וּר וּ/בַקֵּ֥שׁ חָכְמָ֖ה וְ/חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן וְ/לָ/דַ֨עַת֙ רֶ֣שַׁע כֶּ֔סֶל וְ/הַ/סִּכְל֖וּת הוֹלֵלֽוֹת

And I finde more bitter then death, the woman whose heart is snares & nets, and her handes as bands: who so pleaseth God, shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

GenevaIt is farre off, what may it be? and it is a profound deepenesse, who can finde it?

וּ/מוֹצֶ֨א אֲנִ֜י מַ֣ר מִ/מָּ֗וֶת אֶת הָֽ/אִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁר הִ֨יא מְצוֹדִ֧ים וַ/חֲרָמִ֛ים לִבָּ֖/הּ אֲסוּרִ֣ים יָדֶ֑י/הָ ט֞וֹב לִ/פְנֵ֤י הָ/אֱלֹהִים֙ יִמָּלֵ֣ט מִמֶּ֔/נָּה וְ/חוֹטֵ֖א יִלָּ֥כֶד בָּֽ/הּ

Behold, this haue I found (saith the Preacher) counting one by one to finde out the account:

GenevaI haue compassed about, both I and mine heart to knowe and to enquire and to search wisedome, and reason, and to knowe the wickednesse of follie, and the foolishnesse of madnesse,

רְאֵה֙ זֶ֣ה מָצָ֔אתִי אָמְרָ֖ה קֹהֶ֑לֶת אַחַ֥ת לְ/אַחַ֖ת לִ/מְצֹ֥א חֶשְׁבּֽוֹן

Which yet my soule seeketh, but I finde not: one man among a thousand haue I found, but a woman among all those haue I not found.

GenevaAnd I finde more bitter then death the woman whose heart is as nettes and snares, and her handes, as bands: he that is good before God, shalbe deliuered from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

אֲשֶׁ֛ר עוֹד בִּקְשָׁ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖/י וְ/לֹ֣א מָצָ֑אתִי אָדָ֞ם אֶחָ֤ד מֵ/אֶ֨לֶף֙ מָצָ֔אתִי וְ/אִשָּׁ֥ה בְ/כָל אֵ֖לֶּה לֹ֥א מָצָֽאתִי

Loe, this onely haue I found, that God hath made man vpright: but they haue sought out many inuentions.

GenevaBeholde, sayth the Preacher, this haue I found, seeking one by one to finde the count:

לְ/בַד֙ רְאֵה זֶ֣ה מָצָ֔אתִי אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֧ה הָ/אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת הָ/אָדָ֖ם יָשָׁ֑ר וְ/הֵ֥מָּה בִקְשׁ֖וּ חִשְּׁבֹנ֥וֹת רַבִּֽים