Ecc 7:8-10 | NETfull | STEP | The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-10

8 The end of a matter ^{▼▼ The term דָבָר (davar) denotes “matter; thing” here rather than “speech; word,” as the parallelism with “patience” suggests. The term was misunderstood as “speech; word” by the Vulgate (so also Douay).} is better than its beginning;
likewise, patience ^{▼▼ Heb “the patient of spirit.”} is better than pride. ^{▼▼ Heb “the proud of spirit.”}
9 Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, ^{▼▼ Heb “Do not be hasty in your spirit to become angry.”}
for anger resides in the lap ^{▼▼ Heb “bosom.”} of fools.
10 Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?” ^{▼▼ Heb “these.” “Days” does not appear in the Hebrew text as second time, but is supplied in the translation for smoothness.}
for it is not wise to ask that. ^{▼▼ Heb “It is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”}