(A)For as the crackling of (B)thorns under a pot,
    so is the laughter of the fools;
    this also is vanity.[a]
Surely (C)oppression drives the wise into madness,
    and (D)a bribe corrupts the heart.
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,
    and (E)the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 7:6 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)

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