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Chapître 7

1

A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.⁹

2

[It is] better to go² to the house of mourning, than to go² to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay⁴ [it] to his heart.

3

 Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.⁴

4

The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.

5

[It is] better to hear² the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear⁶ the song of fools.

6

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.

7

Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad;²⁵ and a gift destroyeth¹⁷ the heart.

8

 Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit.

9

Be not hasty¹⁷ in thy spirit to be angry:² for anger resteth⁴ in the bosom of fools.

10

 Say⁴ not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire¹ wisely concerning this.

11

 Wisdom [is] good with an inheritance: and [by it there is] profit to them that see⁶ the sun.

12

For wisdom [is] a defence, [and] money [is] a defence: but the excellency of knowledge [is, that] wisdom giveth life¹⁷ to them that have it.

13

 Consider³ the work of God: for who can⁴ make [that] straight,¹⁵ which he hath made crooked?¹⁴

14

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider:³ God also hath set¹ the one over against the other, to the end that man should find⁴ nothing ³⁹⁷² after him.

15

All [things] have I seen¹ in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth⁶ in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth⁵⁶ [his life] in his wickedness.

16

Be not righteous over much;⁵³ neither make thyself over wise:¹⁰¹ why shouldest thou destroy¹¹³ thyself?

17

Be not over much⁵³ wicked,⁴ neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die⁴ before thy time?

18

[It is] good that thou shouldest take hold⁴ of this; yea, also from this withdraw⁵⁵ not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth⁴ of them all.

19

 Wisdom strengtheneth⁴ the wise more than ten mighty [men] which are in the city.

20

For [there is] not a just man upon earth, that doeth⁴ good, and sinneth⁴ not.

21

Also take⁴ no heed unto all words that are spoken;¹⁷ lest thou hear⁴ thy servant curse¹⁸ thee:

22

For oftentimes ⁷²²⁷ also thine own heart knoweth¹ that thou thyself likewise hast cursed¹⁴ others.

23

All this have I proved¹⁴ by wisdom: I said,¹ I will be wise;⁴ but it [was] far from me.

24

That which is far off, and exceeding deep, ⁶⁰¹³ who can find it out?⁴

25

I applied¹ mine heart to know,² and to search,² and to seek out¹⁵ wisdom, and the reason [of things], and to know² the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness [and] madness:

26

And I find⁶ more bitter than death the woman, whose heart [is] snares and nets, [and] her hands [as] bands: whoso pleaseth ⁶⁴⁴⁰ God shall escape¹¹ from her; but the sinner⁶ shall be taken¹¹ by her.

27

 Behold,³ this have I found,¹ saith¹ the preacher, [counting] one by one, to find out² the account:

28

Which yet my soul seeketh,¹⁴ but I find¹ not: one man among a thousand have I found;¹ but a woman among all those have I not found.¹

29

 Lo,³ this only have I found,¹ that God hath made¹ man upright; but they have sought out¹⁴ many inventions.