the Week of Proper 21 / Ordinary 26
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World English Bible
Ecclesiastes 7:10
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Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?"For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the dayes of the old time were better then they that be nowe? for that were no wyse question.
Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
Do not say, Why was it that the former days were better than these? For you do not ask from wisdom concerning this.
Don't say, "Life was better in the ‘good old days.' What happened?" Wisdom does not lead us to ask that question.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former dayes were better then these? For thou doest not enquire wisely concerning this.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
Saye not thou: What is the cause that ye dayes of ye olde tyme were better, then they yt be now? for that were no wyse question.
Don't always be asking, "Where are the good old days?" Wise folks don't ask questions like that.
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
Say not, Why were the days which have gone by better than these? Such a question comes not from wisdom.
Don't say, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
Say not thou, What is [the cause] that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that.
It isn't wise to ask, "Why is everything worse than it used to be?"
Don't ask why the old days were better than now, because that is a foolish question.
Say not thou, Why is it that the former dayes were better then these? for thou doest not enquire wisely of this thing.
Say not, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? For you do not enquire wisely concerning this.
Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.
Say not thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.
Don't long for "the good old days." This is not wise.
Do not say, "Why were the days of the past better than these?" For it is not wise to ask this.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger will rest in the bosom of fools.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.
Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" For it is unwise of you to ask about this.
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Do not say, What hath happened, that, the former days, were better than these? for, not wisely, askest thou concerning this.
(7-11) Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Do not say, "Why is it that the former days were better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.
Don't ask, "Why was life better in the ‘good old days'?" It is not wise to ask such questions.
Never ask, "Oh, why were things so much better in the old days?" It's not an intelligent question.
Don't say, "Why were the former days better than these?" since it is not wise of you to ask this.
Seie thou not, What gessist thou is of cause, that the formere tymes weren betere than ben now? for whi siche axyng is fonned.
Say not, "Why were the former days better than these?" For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
Say not thou, `What was it, That the former days were better than these?' For thou hast not asked wisely of this.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
What: Judges 6:13, Jeremiah 44:17-19
wisely: Heb. out of wisdom, Genesis 6:11, Genesis 6:12, Psalms 14:2, Psalms 14:3, Isaiah 50:1, Romans 1:22-32, Romans 3:9-19
Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me 1 Samuel 25:10 - there be Ecclesiastes 1:9 - that hath
Cross-References
I, even, I do bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the sky. Everything that is in the earth will die.
In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. Every living thing that I have made, I will destroy from the surface of the ground."
The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ark, and it was lifted up above the earth.
The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
Who were snatched away before their time, Whose foundation was poured out as a stream,
They ate, they drank, they married, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Say not thou, what is [the cause] that the former days were better than these?.... This is a common opinion, that in all ages prevails among men, that former times were better than present ones; that trade flourished more, and men got more wealth and riches, and lived in greater ease and plenty; and complain that their lot is cast in such hard times, and are ready to lay the blame upon the providence of God, and murmur at it, which they should not do;
for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this: this is owing to ignorance of former times; which, if rightly inquired into, or the true knowledge of them could be come at, it would appear that they were no better than the present; and that there were always bad men, and bad things done; frauds, oppressions, and violence, and everything that can be complained of now: or if things are worse than they were, this should be imputed to the badness of men; and the inquirer should look to himself, and his own ways, and see if there is not a cause there, and study to redeem the time, because the days are evil; and not arraign the providence of God, and murmur at that, and quarrel with it; as if the distributions of it were unequal, and justice not done in one age as in another
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Ecclesiastes 7:10. The former days were better than these? — This is a common saying; and it is as foolish as it is common. There is no weight nor truth in it; but men use it to excuse their crimes, and the folly of their conduct. "In former times, say they, men might be more religious, use more self-denial, be more exemplary." This is all false. In former days men were wicked as they are now, and religion was unfashionable: God also is the same now as he was then; as just, as merciful, as ready to help: and there is no depravity in the age that will excuse your crimes, your follies, and your carelessness.
Among the oriental proverbs I find the following:
"Many say, This is a corrupt age. This mode of speaking is not just; it is not the age that is corrupt, but the men of the age."
