Category Archives: Ecclesiastes

The Vanity of Life 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David,king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanityof vanities,” says the Preacher; # “Vanity of vanities,allisvanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun? 4 Onegeneration passes away, andanothergeneration comes; # But the earth abides forever. […]

The Vanity of Pleasure 1 I saidin my heart, “Come now, I will test you withmirth; therefore enjoy pleasure”; but surely,this alsowasvanity. 2 I said of laughter—“Madness!”; and of mirth, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I searched in my hearthowto gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay […]

Everything Has Its Time 1 To everythingthereisa season, # Atime for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, # Anda time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluckwhatisplanted; 3 A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build […]

1 Then I returned and considered all theoppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressorsthereispower, But they have no comforter. 2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive. […]

Fear God, Keep Your Vows 1 Walkprudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear ratherthan to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2 Do not berash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For Godisin […]

1 Thereis an evil which I have seen under the sun, and itiscommon among men: 2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor,so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires;yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. Thisisvanity, and […]

The Value of Practical Wisdom 1 Agood nameisbetter than precious ointment, # And the day of death than the day of one’sbirth; 2 Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For thatisthe end of all men; # And the living will takeittoheart. 3 Sorrowisbetter than laughter, […]

1 Whoislike a wiseman? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? # A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, # Andthe sternness of his face is changed. Obey Authorities for God’s Sake 2 Isay,“Keep the king’s commandmentfor the sake of your oath to God. 3 Do not be hasty to go from his presence. […]

1 For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all:that the righteous and the wise and their worksarein the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatredbyanythingtheyseebefore them. 2 All thingscomealike to all: One eventhappensto the righteous and the wicked; To the good, the clean, and the unclean; […]

1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; Sodoesa little folly to one respected for wisdomandhonor. 2 A wise man’s heartisat his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, # And he shows […]