Ecclesiastes 7

“A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and…” The line’s distinctive content terms include house, better, feasting. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.” Naming Sorrow keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heart, house, fools. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hear, better, fools. Its relationship to verses 4 and 6 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.” Naming Surely keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Naming Better keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” The line’s distinctive content terms include anger, angry, bosom. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.” Naming Wisdom keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is…” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.” The number ten makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:” Naming Also keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.” Naming All keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include know, applied, folly. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.