Geneva Study Bible A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of {b} death than the day of one's birth.
(b) He speaks thus after the judgment of the flesh, which thinks death is the end of all evils, or else because this corporal death is the entering into everlasting life. 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. It is better to go to the house of {c} 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.
(c) Where we may see the hand of God and learn to examine our lives. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. For as the crackling of {d} thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
(d) Which crackle for a while and profit nothing. Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. Surely oppression maketh a wise man {e} mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
(e) A man that is esteemed wise, when he falls to oppression, becomes like a beast. Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Better is the {f} end of a thing than its beginning: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
(f) He notes their lightness who attempt a thing and suddenly leave it off again. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire {g} wisely concerning this.
(g) Murmur not against God when he sends adversities for man's sins. Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. Wisdom is good with an {h} inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
(h) He answers to them who do not value wisdom unless riches are joined with it, showing that both are the gifts of God, but that wisdom is far more excellent and may be without riches. 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. 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.
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
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. In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity {i} consider: God also hath appointed the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find {k} nothing after him.
(i) Consider why God sends it and what may comfort you. (k) That man should be able to control nothing in his works. 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. All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his {l} righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
(l) Meaning that cruel tyrants put the godly to death and let the wicked go free. Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not righteous {m} over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
(m) Do not boast too much of your own justice and wisdom. Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? Be not {n} over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
(n) Do not tarry long when you are admonished to come out of the way of wickedness. 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. It is good that thou shouldest take hold of {o} this; yea, also from {p} this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall escape from them all.
(o) That is, on these admonitions that go before. (p) Consider what desolation and destruction will come, if you do not obey them. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: Also take no {q} heed to all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
(q) Credit them not, neither care for them. For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? That which is far off, {r} and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
(r) Meaning wisdom. 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: 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:
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. 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.
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to {s} find out the account:
(s) That is, to come to a conclusion. 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. 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.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many {t} devices. (t) And so are cause for their own destruction. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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