Ecclesiastes
Verses from the book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 1:2
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:3
What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:5
The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:8
All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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 God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:15
That which is crooked can't be made straight; and that which is lacking can't be counted.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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."
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:18
For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:2
I said of laughter, "It is foolishness;" and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:4
I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:9
So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:10
Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:13
Then I saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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!
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:20
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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 God.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:26
For to the man who pleases him, God 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 God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:10
I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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 God has done from the beginning even to the end.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:13
Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:15
That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:17
I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:18
I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:20
All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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?"
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:2
Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:11
Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:14
For out of prison he came forth to be king; yes, even in his kingdom he was born poor.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:15
I saw all the living who walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the other, who succeeded him.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:1
Guard your steps when you go to God's house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:2
Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:3
For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool's speech with a multitude of words.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:4
When you vow a vow to God, do not defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:5
It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:6
Do not allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Do not protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:8
If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, do not marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:9
Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:13
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:14
Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:15
As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:16
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:17
All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:18
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:19
Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:20
For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:1
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men:
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:3
If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial; I say, that a stillborn child is better than he:
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:4
for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:5
Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has rest rather than the other.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:6
Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, do not all go to one place?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:8
For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:11
For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:2
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, and the living should take this to heart.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the face the heart is made good.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:7
Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:8
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:10
Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not ask wisely about this.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:11
Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:13
Consider the work of God, for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:15
All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:16
Do not be overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:20
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth, who does good and doesn't sin.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:21
Also do not take heed to all words that are spoken, lest you hear your servant curse you;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:23
All this have I proved in wisdom. I said, "I will be wise;" but it was far from me.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:24
That which is, is far off and exceedingly deep. Who can find it out?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:25
I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:27
Behold, this have I found, says the Preacher, one to another, to find out the scheme;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:29
Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they search for many schemes.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:3
Do not be hasty to go out of his presence. Do not persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:4
for the king's word is supreme. Who can say to him, "What are you doing?"
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:6
For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:9
All this have I seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:10
So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:12
Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:14
There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:15
Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:16
When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:1
For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, man doesn't know it; all is before them.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:2
All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesn't sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:3
This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:4
For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:5
For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:6
Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go your way-eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:8
Let your garments be always white, and do not let your head lack oil.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:9
Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity: for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:12
For man also doesn't know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:13
I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:17
The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:18
Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 1:4
One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:5
I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 2:6
I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:3
a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:4
a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:6
a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:7
a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 3:8
a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 4:12
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 5:7
For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 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.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:2
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but a foreigner eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:7
All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 6:12
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:1
A good name is better than fine perfume; and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:17
Do not be too wicked, neither be foolish. Why should you die before your time?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:18
It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also from that do not withdraw your hand; for he who fears God will come forth from them all.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:22
for often your own heart knows that you yourself have likewise cursed others.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:26
I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 7:28
which my soul still seeks; but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:5
Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:8
There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow; because he doesn't fear God.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 8:17
then I saw all the work of God, that man can't find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won't find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won't be able to find it.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:14
There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great siege works against it.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 9:15
Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:2
A wise man's heart is at his right hand, but a fool's heart at his left.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:3
Yes also, when the fool walks by the way, his understanding fails him, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:5
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, the sort of error which proceeds from the ruler.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:7
I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:8
He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:9
Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. Whoever splits wood may be endangered thereby.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the axe is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:11
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmer's tongue.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:14
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesn't know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him?
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:15
The labor of fools wearies every one of them; for he doesn't know how to go to the city.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:16
Woe to you, land, when your king is a child, and your princes eat in the morning!
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:17
Happy are you, land, when your king is the son of nobles, and your princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:18
By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:19
A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes the life glad; and money is the answer for all things.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 10:20
Do not curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; and do not curse the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the sky may carry your voice, and that which has wings may tell the matter.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:1
Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:2
Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you do not know what evil will be on the earth.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:3
If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:4
He who observes the wind won't sow; and he who regards the clouds won't reap.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child; even so you do not know the work of God who does all.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:6
In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both will be equally good.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:7
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to see the sun.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:8
Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 11:10
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:2
Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:3
in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:4
and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:5
yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be in the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:6
before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the spring, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:7
and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:9
Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:10
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:11
The words of the wise are like goads; and like nails well fastened are words from the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:12
Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:13
This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
Read commentary →Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.
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