New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
7 Surely oppression makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
7
Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; the patient in spirit are better than the proud in spirit.
8
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
9 Do not be quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
10 Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
10
Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.
11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun.
11
Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits 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.
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 the work of God; who can make straight what he has made crooked?
13
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that will come after them.
14
When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.
15 In my vain life I have seen everything; there are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their evildoing.
15
In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: the righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
16 Do not be too righteous, and do not act too wise; why should you destroy yourself?
16
Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise— why destroy yourself?
17 Do not be too wicked, and do not be a fool; why should you die before your time?
17
Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time?
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.