Ecclesiastes 7:8–10
The NET BibleOther versions
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7:8The end of a matter31 is better than its beginning;
likewise, patience32 is better than pride.33
7:9Do not let yourself be quickly provoked,34
for anger resides in the lap35 of fools.
7:10Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?”36
for it is not wise to ask that.37
Footnotes
- 31 The term דָבָר (davar) denotes “matter; thing” here rather than “speech; word,” as the parallelism with “patience” suggests. The term was misunderstood as “speech; word” by the (so also ).
- 32 Heb “the patient of spirit.”
- 33 Heb “the proud of spirit.”
- 34 Heb “Do not be hasty in your spirit to become angry.”
- 35 Heb “bosom.”
- 36 Heb “these.” “Days” does not appear in the Hebrew text as second time, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.
- 37 Heb “It is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”
The NET Bible First Edition, Copyright 1996-2005 by Biblical Studies Press
In other versions
ESVEnglish Standard Version
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles
NIVNew International Version (2011)
The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?”
For it is not wise to ask such questions.
Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.
CSBChristian Standard Bible
The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.
Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry,
for anger abides in the heart of fools.
Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
since it is not wise of you to ask this.
Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
NLTNew Living Translation
Finishing is better than starting.
Patience is better than pride.
Control your temper,
for anger labels you a fool.
Don’t long for “the good old days.”
This is not wise.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
LEBThe Lexham English Bible
The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
better to be slow to anger than hot-headed.
Do not be quick in your spirit to anger,
for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Copyright 2012 Lexham Press
KJV 1900King James Version
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 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.
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