The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

Ecclesiastes 7

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1

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

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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.

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3

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

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4

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

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5

It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

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6

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

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7

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

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8

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

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9

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

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10

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

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11

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

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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.

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13

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

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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.

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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.

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16

Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?

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17

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

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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.

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19

Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

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20

For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

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21

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:

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22

For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

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23

All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

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24

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

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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:

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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.

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27

Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:

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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.

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29

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

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Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

A shift to Proverbial Wisdom (Aureum Dictum). Qoheleth explores the "House of Mourning" as superior to the "House of Mirth" for character formation. He warns against "self-righteousness" and "over-wickedness," seeking a middle path of "Fearing God" while acknowledging total human depravity (v. 20).

THEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

1. The Pedagogical Value of Death: The "end of a thing" provides the perspective that the "beginning" lacks (v. 8).
2. Total Depravity: Verse 20 is a key text for Reformed anthropology: "not a just man upon earth... that sinneth not."
3. Divine Crookedness: Man cannot "fix" what God has ordained as a trial (v. 13).

Practical Lessons

PRACTICAL LESSONS

1. Wisdom as Defense: Wisdom is a "shadow" (protection) just as money is, but it "giveth life" (v. 12).
2. Seeking the Original Design: Remembering that God made man "upright," but we sought out many "inventions" (v. 29).

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