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< Chapter 7 >

 
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
7:2
 
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
7:3
 
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
7:4
 
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
7:5
 
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
7:6
 
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7:7
 
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
7:8
 
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
7:9
 
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
7:10
 
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
7:11
 
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
7:12
 
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.
7:13
 
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
7:14
 
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.
7:15
 
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.
7:16
 
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
7:17
 
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
7:18
 
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.
7:19
 
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
7:20
 
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
7:21
 
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
7:22
 
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
7:23
 
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
7:24
 
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
7:25
 
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
7:26
 
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
7:27
 
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
7:28
 
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
7:29
 
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

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John Wesley's Notes
Explanation posted by John Wesley on 2007-01-01 00:00:00
Solomon here recommends seriousness, ver. 1-6 Calmness of spirit, ver. 7-10. Wisdom, ver. 11, 12. Suiting ourselves to every condition, ver. 13, 14. The advice of an infidel answered, ver. 15-18. The praise of wisdom, ver. 19. All men are sinners, ver. 20. Mind not the censures of others, ver. 21, 22. Solomon's experience of men and women, ver. 23-29.
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