7:1 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.
7:2 [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.
7:6 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.
7:7 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.
7:8 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.
7:10 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.
7:11 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.
7:14 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.
7:15 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.
7:16 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.
7:17 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.
7:18 [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.
7:21 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.
7:24 That which is far off, r and exceedingly deep, who can
find it out?
(r) Meaning wisdom.
7:27 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.
7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;
but they have sought out many t devices.
