Ecclesiastes 7:14

12 For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

13 Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?

In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.

15 In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

16 Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
In the day of prosperity, be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.
KJV
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
WEB
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
ASV
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything [that shall be] after him.
DARBY
In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing [of what shall be] after him.
BLB
In a day of prosperity, be in gladness, and in a day of evil, see also: This as well as this, God has made, for the reason that man cannot find out anything after him.
ÅB
På en god dag skal du være ved godt mot, og på en ond dag skal du tenke på at Gud har gjort den og, like så vel som den andre, for at mennesket ikke skal finne noe etter seg[^1].
OTB
I tider med velstand vær glad, men i tider med motgang betrakt: Gud har gjort den ene så vel som den andre, slik at ingen kan oppdage hva som vil komme etter dem.
B1930
På en god dag skal du være ved godt mot, og på en ond dag skal du tenke på at Gud har gjort den og, like så vel som den andre, forat mennesket ikke skal finne noget efter sig. / < d.e. ikke skal vite noget av hvad som skal skje efter ham.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Ecclesiastes 3:4

    a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 3:22

    I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 8:3

    He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • Ecclesiastes 12:13

    When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

    Read in context
  • James 5:13

    Is any one of you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 28:47

    Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance,

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 26:11

    O LORD, Your hand is upraised, but they do not see it. They will see Your zeal for Your people and be put to shame. The fire set for Your enemies will consume them!

    Read in context
  • Job 10:1–2

    “I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.

    Read in context