7:1   A good reputation at the time of death is better than loving care at the time of birth.

7:2   It's better to go to a funeral than to attend a feast; funerals remind us that we all must die.

7:3   Choose sorrow over laughter because a sad face may hide a happy heart.

7:4   A sensible person mourns, but fools always laugh.

7:5   Harsh correction is better than the songs of a fool.

7:6   Foolish laughter is stupid. It sounds like thorns crackling in a fire.

7:7   Corruption makes fools of sensible people, and bribes can ruin you.

7:8   Something completed is better than something just begun; patience is better than too much pride.

7:9   Only fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge.

7:10   It isn't wise to ask, "Why is everything worse than it used to be?"

7:11   Having wisdom is better than an inheritance.

7:12   Wisdom will protect you just like money; knowledge with good sense will lead you to life.

7:13   Think of what God has done! If God makes something crooked, can you make it straight?

7:14   When 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.

7:15   I 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.

7:16   So don't destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart!

7:17   Don't die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool.

7:18   Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.

7:19   Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city.

7:20   No one in this world always does right.

7:21   Don't listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you.

7:22   Haven't you cursed many others?

7:23   I told myself that I would be smart and try to understand all of this, but it was too much for me.

7:24   The truth is beyond us. It's far too deep.

7:25   So 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.

7:26   Here 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.

7:27   With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together,

7:28   but 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.

7:29   I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.