The World English Bible (WEB) Part 61

23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. 23:13 Don't withhold correction from a child. If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 23:14 Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from Sheol. 23:15 My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine: 23:16 yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right. 23:17 Don't let your heart envy sinners; but rather fear Yahweh all the day long. 23:18 Indeed surely there is a future hope, and your hope will not be cut off. 23:19 Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path! 23:20 Don't be among ones drinking too much wine, or those who gorge themselves on meat: 23:21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor; and drowsiness clothes them in rags. 23:22 Listen to your father who gave you life, and don't despise your mother when she is old. 23:23 Buy the truth, and don't sell it. Get wisdom, discipline, and understanding. 23:24 The father of the righteous has great joy. Whoever fathers a wise child delights in him. 23:25 Let your father and your mother be glad! Let her who bore you rejoice! 23:26 My son, give me your heart; and let your eyes keep in my ways. 23:27 For a prost.i.tute is a deep pit; and a wayward wife is a narrow well. 23:28 Yes, she lies in wait like a robber, and increases the unfaithful among men. 23:29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? 23:30 Those who stay long at the wine; those who go to seek out mixed wine. 23:31 Don't look at the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly.

23:32 In the end, it bites like a snake, and poisons like a viper. 23:33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will imagine confusing things. 23:34 Yes, you will be as he who lies down in the midst of the sea, or as he who lies on top of the rigging: 23:35 "They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don't feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another." 24:1 Don't be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 24:2 for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 24:4 by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 24:5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 24:6 for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors. 24:7 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate. 24:8 One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 24:9 The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 24:10 If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 24:11 Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 24:12 If you say, "Behold, we didn't know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? 24:13 My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 24:14 so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. 24:15 Don't lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don't destroy his resting place: 24:16 for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 24:17 Don't rejoice when your enemy falls.

Don't let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 24:18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 24:19 Don't fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked: 24:20 for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 24:21 My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don't join those who are rebellious: 24:22 for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both--who knows? 24:23 These also are sayings of the wise.

To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24:24 He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him--24:25 but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. 24:26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 24:27 Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. 24:28 Don't be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don't deceive with your lips. 24:29 Don't say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work." 24:30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 24:31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 24:32 Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 24:33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; 24:34 so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man. 25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

25:2 It is the glory of G.o.d to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 25:3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable. 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner; 25:5 Take away the wicked from the king's presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. 25:6 Don't exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men; 25:7 for it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here," than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen. 25:8 Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you? 25:9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don't betray the confidence of another; 25:10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart. 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear. 25:13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters. 25:14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively. 25:15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone. 25:16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it. 25:17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you. 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. 25:19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot. 25:20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: 25:22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.

25:23 The north wind brings forth rain: so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face. 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman. 25:25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. 25:26 Like a muddied spring, and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked. 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey; nor is it honorable to seek one's own honor. 25:28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint. 26:1 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.

26:2 Like a fluttering sparrow, like a darting swallow, so the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest. 26:3 A whip is for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the back of fools! 26:4 Don't answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

26:6 One who sends a message by the hand of a fool is cutting off feet and drinking violence. 26:7 Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 26:8 As one who binds a stone in a sling, so is he who gives honor to a fool. 26:9 Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

26:10 As an archer who wounds all, so is he who hires a fool or he who hires those who pa.s.s by. 26:11 As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly. 26:12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 26:13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"

26:14 As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.

26:15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer with discretion. 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog's ears is one who pa.s.ses by and meddles in a quarrel not his own. 26:18 Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death, 26:19 is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?" 26:20 For lack of wood a fire goes out. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. 26:21 As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife. 26:22 The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, they go down into the innermost parts. 26:23 Like silver dross on an earthen vessel are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart. 26:24 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. 26:25 When his speech is charming, don't believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26:26 His malice may be concealed by deception, but his wickedness will be exposed in the a.s.sembly. 26:27 Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him. 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin. 27:1 Don't boast about tomorrow; for you don't know what a day may bring forth. 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. 27:3 A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; but who is able to stand before jealousy? 27:5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love. 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; although the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 27:7 A full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to a hungry soul, every bitter thing is sweet. 27:8 As a bird that wanders from her nest, so is a man who wanders from his home.

27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man's friend. 27:10 Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother. 27:11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart, then I can answer my tormentor. 27:12 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge; but the simple pa.s.s on, and suffer for it. 27:13 Take his garment when he puts up collateral for a stranger. Hold it for a wayward woman! 27:14 He who blesses his neighbor with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse by him. 27:15 A continual dropping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike: 27:16 restraining her is like restraining the wind, or like grasping oil in his right hand. 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance. 27:18 Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit. He who looks after his master shall be honored.

27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; and a man's eyes are never satisfied. 27:21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but man is refined by his praise. 27:22 Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him. 27:23 Know well the state of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds: 27:24 for riches are not forever, nor does even the crown endure to all generations. 27:25 The hay is removed, and the new growth appears, the gra.s.ses of the hills are gathered in. 27:26 The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of a field.

27:27 There will be plenty of goats' milk for your food, for your family's food, and for the nourishment of your servant girls. 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion. 28:2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge. 28:3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops. 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them. 28:5 Evil men don't understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully. 28:6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. 28:7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father. 28:8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor. 28:9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. 28:10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good. 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him. 28:12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble. 28:15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.

28:16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days. 28:17 A man who is tormented by life blood will be a fugitive until death; no one will support him. 28:18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.

28:19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 28:20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished. 28:21 To show partiality is not good; yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. 28:22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn't know that poverty waits for him. 28:23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.

28:24 Whoever robs his father or his mother, and says, "It's not wrong."

He is a partner with a destroyer. 28:25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper. 28:26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe. 28:27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses. 28:28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive. 29:1 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy. 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan. 29:3 Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prost.i.tutes squanders his wealth. 29:4 The king by justice makes the land stable, but he who takes bribes tears it down. 29:5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 29:6 An evil man is snared by his sin, but the righteous can sing and be glad. 29:7 The righteous care about justice for the poor. The wicked aren't concerned about knowledge. 29:8 Mockers stir up a city, but wise men turn away anger. 29:9 If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace. 29:10 The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. 29:11 A fool vents all of his anger, but a wise man brings himself under control.

29:12 If a ruler listens to lies, all of his officials are wicked. 29:13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both. 29:14 The king who fairly judges the poor, his throne shall be established forever. 29:15 The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother. 29:16 When the wicked increase, sin increases; but the righteous will see their downfall. 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul. 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed.

29:19 A servant can't be corrected by words. Though he understands, yet he will not respond. 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?

There is more hope for a fool than for him. 29:21 He who pampers his servant from youth will have him become a son in the end. 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin. 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but one of lowly spirit gains honor. 29:24 Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul. He takes an oath, but dares not testify. 29:25 The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe. 29:26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but a man's justice comes from Yahweh. 29:27 A dishonest man detests the righteous, and the upright in their ways detest the wicked. 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle:

the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: 30:2 "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding. 30:3 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know? 30:5 "Every word of G.o.d is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 30:6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar. 30:7 "Two things I have asked of you; don't deny me before I die: 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me; 30:9 lest I be full, deny you, and say, 'Who is Yahweh?' or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonor the name of my G.o.d. 30:10 "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty. 30:11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother. 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. 30:13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes!

Their eyelids are lifted up. 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. 30:15 "The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough:' 30:16 Sheol, the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'

30:17 "The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother: the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it. 30:18 "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand: 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden. 30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.' 30:21 "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up: 30:22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food; 30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress. 30:24 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise: 30:25 the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.

30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks. 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.

30:28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings'

palaces. 30:29 "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going: 30:30 The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any; 30:31 the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up. 30:32 "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth. 30:33 For as the churning of milk brings forth b.u.t.ter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife." 31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

31:2 "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! 31:3 Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' 31:5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." 31:10 *Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. 31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. 31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. 31:14 She is like the merchant ships.

She brings her bread from afar. 31:15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

31:16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 31:17 She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. 31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. 31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 31:23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 31:29 "Many women do n.o.ble things, but you excel them all." 31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Notes:

[1] back to 31:10 Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.

Ecclesiastes

1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

1:2 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." 1:3 What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? 1:4 One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. 1:5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises. 1:6 The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses. 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again. 1:8 All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 1:9 That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 1:10 Is there a thing of which it may be said, "Behold, this is new?" It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.

1:11 There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.

1:12 I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 1:13 I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that G.o.d has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 1:15 That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted. 1:16 I said to myself, "Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge." 1:17 I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind. 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

2:1 I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity. 2:2 I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

2:3 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives. 2:4 I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. 2:5 I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. 2:6 I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared. 2:7 I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem; 2:8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men- -musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. 2:10 Whatever my eyes desired, I didn't keep from them. I didn't withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. 2:11 Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

2:12 I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly: for what can the king's successor do? Just that which has been done long ago.

2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. 2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness--and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all.

2:15 Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity. 2:16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!

2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. 2:18 I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who comes after me. 2:19 Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun.

This also is vanity.

2:20 Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun. 2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it.

This also is vanity and a great evil. 2:22 For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun? 2:23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. 2:24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of G.o.d. 2:25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? 2:26 For to the man who pleases him, G.o.d gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases G.o.d. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 3:5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 3:6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 3:7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 3:9 What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? 3:10 I have seen the burden which G.o.d has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that G.o.d has done from the beginning even to the end. 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. 3:13 Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of G.o.d. 3:14 I know that whatever G.o.d does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and G.o.d has done it, that men should fear before him. 3:15 That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and G.o.d seeks again that which is pa.s.sed away.

3:16 Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 3:17 I said in my heart, "G.o.d will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." 3:18 I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, G.o.d tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. 3:19 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity. 3:20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. 3:21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?"

3:22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

4:1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 4:2 Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. 4:3 Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4:4 Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 4:5 The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. 4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 4:8 There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother.

There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment?

This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business.

4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? 4:12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn't know how to receive admonition any more. 4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.

4:15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him. 4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was--yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

5:1 Guard your steps when you go to G.o.d's house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don't know that they do evil. 5:2 Don't be rash with your mouth, and don't let your heart be hasty to utter anything before G.o.d; for G.o.d is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 5:3 For as a dream comes with a mult.i.tude of cares, so a fool's speech with a mult.i.tude of words. 5:4 When you vow a vow to G.o.d, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow. 5:5 It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. 5:6 Don't allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don't protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should G.o.d be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? 5:7 For in the mult.i.tude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear G.o.d.

5:8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don't marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them. 5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

5:10 He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. 5:11 When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.