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1A good reputation[#Pr 22.1.]
at the time of death
is better than loving care
at the time of birth.
2It's better to go to a funeral
than to attend a feast;
funerals remind us
that we all must die.
3Choose sorrow over laughter
because a sad face
may hide a happy heart.
4A sensible person mourns,
but fools always laugh.
5Harsh correction is better
than the songs of a fool.
6Foolish laughter is stupid.
It sounds like thorns
crackling in a fire.
7Corruption makes fools[#7.7 : Or “Oppression”.]
of sensible people,
and bribes can ruin you.
8Something completed is better
than something just begun;
patience is better
than too much pride.
9Only fools get angry quickly[#Jas 1.19.]
and hold a grudge.
10It isn't wise to ask,
“Why is everything worse
than it used to be?”
11Having wisdom is better
than an inheritance.
12Wisdom will protect you
just like money;
knowledge with good sense
will lead you to life.
13Think of what God has done!
If God makes something crooked,
can you make it straight?
14When times are good,
you should be cheerful;
when times are bad,
think what it means.
God makes them both
to keep us from knowing
what will happen next.
15I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, and I have seen criminals live to a ripe old age.
16So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too clever!
17Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool.
18Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.
19Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city.
20No one in this world always does right.
21Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you.
22Haven't you cursed many others?
23I told myself that I would be clever and try to understand all of this, but it was too much for me.
24The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep.
25So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it's stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.
26Here is what I discovered: a bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don't obey, you are done for.
27With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together,
28but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman.
29I did learn one thing: we were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.