Chiasm

Ecclesiastes 7:1–6

Ecclesiastes 7:1–62 matched frames1 pivot

Read down to the center, where the pattern turns; then rise back out through its mirror.

A 1-2a A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men;
- B 2b and the living will lay it to his heart.
  - C 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: (center — italic+bold)
- B' 3b for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
A' 4-6 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.