Ecclesiastes 7:10–13

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”

For it is not wise to ask such questions.

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing

and benefits those who see the sun.

12 Wisdom is a shelter

as money is a shelter,

but the advantage of knowledge is this:

Wisdom preserves those who have it.

13 Consider what God has done:

Who can straighten

what he has made crooked?

10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,

an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,

and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

13 Consider the work of God:

who can make straight what he has made crooked?

10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. 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. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

10 Don’t long for “the good old days.”

This is not wise.

11 Wisdom is even better when you have money.

Both are a benefit as you go through life.

12 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything,

but only wisdom can save your life.

13 Accept the way God does things,

for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

10 Do not say,

“Why were the former days better than these?”

For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance,

And profitable to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense,

But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it.

13 Consider the work of God;

For who can make straight what He has made crooked?

10 Don’t ask, “Why was life better in the ‘good old days’?”

It is not wise to ask such questions.

11 Wisdom is better when it comes with money.

They both help those who are alive.

12 Wisdom is like money:

they both help.

But wisdom is better,

because it can save whoever has it.

13 Look at what God has done:

No one can straighten what he has bent.

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

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

10 Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun. 12 For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live. 13 Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked?

10 Don’t ask, “Why were things better in the old days than they are now?” It isn’t wisdom that leads you to ask this! 

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. It is an advantage to everyone who sees the sun. 12 Wisdom protects us just as money protects us, but the advantage of wisdom is that it gives life to those who have it. 

13 Consider what God has done! Who can straighten what God has bent? 

10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance,

an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money,

and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to the one who possesses it.

13 Consider the work of God;

who can make straight what he has made crooked?

10 Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance;

it benefits the living.

12 For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection.

But knowledge has an advantage—wisdom restores life to its possessor.

13 Consider the work of God.

For who is able to make straight what he made crooked?

10 Don’t say, “Why were things better in the good old days?”

It isn’t wise to ask that kind of question.

11 Wisdom is a good thing.

It’s like getting a share of the family wealth.

It benefits those who live on this earth.

12 Wisdom provides safety,

just as money provides safety.

But here’s the advantage of wisdom.

It guards the lives of those who have it.

13 Think about what God has done.

Who can make straight

what he has made crooked?

10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?”

For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good

And an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection,

But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

13 Consider the work of God,

For who is able to straighten what He has bent?