1aThe author now offers a number of practical maxims, which, however, he concludes (vv. 23–24) are of limited value. A good name is better than fragrant oil, and the day of death than the day of birth.bUntil the moment of death, people risk forfeiting their good name.
2It is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of feasting; for that is the end of every mortal, and the living should take it to heart.
3Vexation is better than revelry;cFor empty revelry precludes real happiness; cf. 2.2. for though the face be sad, the heart may be glad.
4The wise are drawn to a house of mourning, and the foolish to a house of merrymaking.
5It is better to listen to the reproof of someone wise than to listen to the praise of fools.
6For the levitydlevity Emendation yields “praise” (shbḥ). of the fool is like the crackling of nettles under a kettle.eThis section, to end of v. 7, is apparently a continuation of the thought in vv. 11–12 and 19. But that too is illusory;
7for cheatingfcheating Emendation yields “riches.” may rob the wise of reason and destroy the prudence of the cautious.gthe cautious Lit. “caution”; cf. postbiblical mathun “cautious.”
8The end of a matter is better than the beginning of it.Better a patient spirit than a haughty spirit.
9Don’t let your spirit be quickly vexed, for vexation abides in the breasts of fools.
10Don’t say, “How has it happened that former times were better than these?” For it is not wise of you to ask that question.
11Wisdom is as good as a patrimony, and even better, for those who behold the sun.
12For to be in the shelter of wisdom is to be also in the shelter of money,hFor to be in the shelter of wisdom is to be also in the shelter of money Emendation yields “For the possessor of wisdom becomes a possessor of money.” and the advantage of intelligence is that wisdom preserves the life of the one who possesses it.
13iThese verses continue the thought of v. 10. Consider God’s doing! Who can straighten what has been twisted?
14So in a time of good fortune enjoy the good fortune; and in a time of misfortune, reflect: The one no less than the other was God’s doing; consequently, mortals may find no fault with [God].jThe one no less than the other … find no fault with [God] So Rashi; cf. the same thought in Job 1.22; 2.10.
15In my own brief span of life, I have seen both these things: sometimes someone good perishes despite their goodness, and sometimes someone wicked endures despite their wickedness.
16So don’t overdo goodness and don’t act too wise, or you may be dumfounded.
17Don’t overdo wickedness and don’t be a fool, or you may die before your time.
18It is best that you grasp the one without letting go of the other, for those who fear God will do their dutykdo their duty Cf. postbiblical yaṣaʼ yede. by both.
19Wisdom is more of a stronghold to someone wise than ten magnateslten magnates Emendation yields “the riches of the magnates”; cf. Prov. 18.11. that a city may contain.
20mApparently continuing the thought of v. 16. For there is not one good person on earth who does what is bestndoes what is best Refers back to 6.12. and doesn’t err.
21Finally, don’t pay attention to everything that is said, so that you may not hear your slave reviling you;
22for well you rememberowell you remember Lit. “your heart knows”; the same idiom occurs again in 8.5. the many times that you yourself have reviled others.
23All this I tested with wisdom. I thought I could fathom it,pit Refers back to 6.12. but it eludes me.
24[The secret of] what happens is elusive and deep, deep down; who can discover it?
25I put my mind to studying, exploring, and seeking wisdom and the reason of things, and to studying wickedness, stupidity, madness, and folly.
26Now, I find more bitter than death the woman who is all traps, whose hands are fetters, and whose heartqI find more bitter than death the woman who…whose hands…whose heart Or “I find woman more bitter than death; she…her hands…her heart.” Force of Heb. uncertain. is snares. He who is pleasing to God escapes her, and he who is displeasing is caught by her.
27See, this is what I found, said Koheleth, item by item in my search for the reason of things.
28As for what I sought further but did not find: I found only one [true] human being in a thousand, and among all these I did not find a [truly compatible] woman.
29But, see, this I did find:ramong all these … this I did find Force of Heb. uncertain. God made human beings plain, but they have engaged in too much reasoning.