Ecclesiastes 7:7-14

New International Version

⁷ Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
    and a bribe^(A) corrupts the heart.

⁸ The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
    and patience^(B) is better than pride.
⁹ 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.

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.