Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ( ESV ). Ecclesiastes 7:1-13 read as follows:
"A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death that the day of birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not, 'Why were the former days better than these?' For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to 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 preserves the life of him who has it. 13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?"
Solomon teaches that the heart of the wise is "in the house of mourning" ( see verse four, above ).
The phrase "house of mourning," here, is most likely in reference to a funeral. We find the phrase "day of death" in verse one, and the phrase "end of all mankind" in verse two. If there were one place in this world that would force us to reflect on the meaning of life, it would be at such an event.
To be sure, those who are engaged in mirth are not reflecting on the purpose of life on this earth. Please click on the "Full Screen" symbol, at the lower right corner of the image below, to read today's bulletin regarding the book of Ecclesiastes, for example:
Also, please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see Psalm 119:65-73, 142, and 151; John 17:1, 3, and 17; and 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>.
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