Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
KJV
Parallel translations
4 additional translations▾
Parallel translations
4 additional translationsBetter is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
The end of a matter is better than the beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud one.
Better is the latter end of a thing than its beginning, Better is the patient of spirit, than the haughty of spirit.
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.
About this book
Old Testament▾
About this book
Old TestamentEcclesiastes — Qohelet the Preacher — ''vanity of vanities, all is vanity.'' The book's relentless examination of life under the sun, resolving not in despair but in ''fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.''
- Author
- Traditional: Solomon (''son of David, king in Jerusalem''). Critical: a later Qohelet figure writing in Solomonic persona. §7.9 surfaces; Pastor Marc's drawer carries the position.
- Date
- Solomonic reading: c. 940 BC. Critical reading: Persian or early Hellenistic period (5th–3rd century BC).