14 On a good day, enjoy yourself;On a bad day, examine your conscience.God arranges for both kinds of daysSo that we won’t take anything for granted.
15-17 I’ve seen it all in my brief and pointless life—here a good person cut down in the middle of doing good, there a bad person living a long life of sheer evil. So don’t knock yourself out being good, and don’t go overboard being wise. Believe me, you won’t get anything out of it. But don’t press your luck by being bad, either. And don’t be reckless. Why die needlessly?
18 It’s best to stay in touch with both sides of an issue. A person who fears God deals responsibly with all of reality, not just a piece of it.
19 Wisdom puts more strength in one wise personThan ten strong men give to a city.
20 There’s not one totally good person on earth,Not one who is truly pure and sinless.
21-22 Don’t eavesdrop on the conversation of others.What if the gossip’s about you and you’d rather not hear it?You’ve done that a few times, haven’t you—said thingsBehind someone’s back you wouldn’t say to his face?
23-25 I tested everything in my search for wisdom. I set out to be wise, but it was beyond me, far beyond me, and deep—oh so deep! Does anyone ever find it? I concentrated with all my might, studying and exploring and seeking wisdom—the meaning of life. I also wanted to identify evil and stupidity, foolishness and craziness.