Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
    and a bribe(A) corrupts the heart.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience(B) is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked(C) in your spirit,
    for anger resides in the lap of fools.(D)

10 Do not say, “Why were the old days(E) better than these?”
    For it is not wise to ask such questions.

11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing(F)
    and benefits those who see the sun.(G)
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 what God has done:(H)

Who can straighten
    what he has made crooked?(I)
14 When times are good, be happy;
    but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one
    as well as the other.(J)
Therefore, no one can discover
    anything about their future.

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Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

14 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.

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