Ecclesiastes 7:10 “Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwis…”

Ecclesiastes 7:10

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is unwise of you to ask about this.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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

World English Bible

Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For you do not ask wisely about this.

American Standard Version

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

Geneva Bible 1599

The ende of a thing is better then the beginning thereof, and the pacient in spirit is better then the proude in spirit.

Darby Translation

Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Young's Literal Translation

Say not thou, 'What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.

Bible in Basic English

Say not, Why were the days which have gone by better than these? Such a question comes not from wisdom.

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Cross references

“What”

Judges 6:13 Jeremiah 44:17–19

Judges 6:13 · BSB

“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the…

Jeremiah 44:17–19 · BSB

Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the str…

“wisely”

Isaiah 50:1 Romans 1:22–32 Romans 3:9–19 Genesis 6:11 Genesis 6:12 Psalm 14:2

Isaiah 50:1 · BSB

This is what the LORD says: “Where is your mother’s certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of My creditors did I sell you? Look, you were sold for your iniquities, and for your transgressions your…

Romans 1:22–32 · BSB

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 3:9–19 · BSB

What then? Are we any better? Not at all. For we have already made the charge that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin.

Genesis 6:11 · BSB

Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence.

Genesis 6:12 · BSB

And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways.

Psalm 14:2 · BSB

The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

9Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.

11Wisdom, like an inheritance, is good, and it benefits those who see the sun.

Read Ecclesiastes 7