Ecclesiastes 7:10

Modern

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

Traditional

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

Literal

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.

Latin

Ne dicas: Quid putas causæ est quod priora tempora meliora fuere quam nunc sunt? stulta enim est hujuscemodi interrogatio.

Hebrew

English

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

God's control over everything is serious, but it gives us hope.

Theme notes and profiles

Psalm 14:2–3
The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.
Judges 6:13
“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 LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
Romans 1:22–32
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,
Isaiah 50:1
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 mother was sent away.
Genesis 6:11–12
Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence.
Romans 3:9–19
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.
Jeremiah 44:17–19
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 streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster.