Ecclesiastes
Title
1:1 The words of the Teacher,1 the son2 of David, king3 in Jerusalem:4
Introduction: Utter Futility
1:2 "Futile! Futile!" laments5 the Teacher,6
"Absolutely futile!7 Everything8 is futile!"9
Futility Illustrated from Nature
1:3 What gain10 does anyone have in all his work
in which11 he labors12 on earth?13
1:4 A generation comes14 and a generation goes,15
but the earth remains16 the same17 forever.18
1:5 The sun rises19 and the sun sets,20
and to the place to which it hastens,21 from there it rises22 again.23
1:6 The wind travels to the south and circles around to the north,
round and round24 the wind goes and on its rounds it returns.25
1:7 All the streams run26 into the sea, but the sea is not full;
and to the place where the streams flow, there they will return to27 flow again.28
1:8 All these29 events30 are wearisome; no one can bear31 to describe them:32
The eye is never satisfied33 with seeing, nor is the ear ever filled with hearing.
1:9 What exists34 now35 is what will be in the future,36
and what has been done is what will be done;
thus there is nothing really new on earth.37
1:10 Is there anything about which someone can say, "Look at this! It is new!"?38
It was already39 done long ago,40 before our time.41
1:11 No one remembers the former events,42
nor will anyone remember43 the future events that are yet to happen;44
they will not be remembered by the future generations.45
Futility of Secular Accomplishment
1:12 I, Qoheleth, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
1:13 I applied myself46 to use my wisdom to thoroughly examine47 everything
that has been accomplished on the earth.48
I concluded:49 God has burdened50 men51 with a grievous task52 that keeps them53 occupied.54
1:14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man55 on earth,56
and I concluded: Everything57 he has accomplished58 is futile59--like striving to grasp60 wind!
1:15 "What is crooked61 cannot be straightened,62
and what is missing63 cannot be supplied."64
Futility of Secular Wisdom
1:16 I thought to myself,65
"I have become much wiser66 than any of my predecessors who ruled67 over Jerusalem;
I68 have acquired69 much wisdom and knowledge."
1:17 So I set my mind70 to discern the benefit of71 wisdom and knowledge over72 foolishness and folly;73
however, I concluded that even74 this endeavor75 is like76 trying to chase the wind!77
1:18 Because with great wisdom comes78 great frustration;
whoever increases his79 knowledge merely80 increases his81 heartache.82
Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure
2:1 I thought to myself,1
"Come now,2 I will examine3 self-indulgent pleasure4 to discern5 whether it is worthwhile."6
But I found7 that this also was futile.8
2:2 I said of merrymaking,9 "It is folly,"
and of self-indulgent pleasure10 I said,11 "It accomplishes nothing!"12
2:3 I mentally13 explored14 the effects of15 indulging16 my flesh17 with wine,
and the effects of18 behaving19 foolishly--
the whole time20 my mind was guiding me21 with wisdom22--
so that23 I might discover what is profitable24
for people25 to do on earth26 during the few days27 of their lives.
Futility of Materialism
2:4 I increased my possessions:28
I built houses for myself;29
I planted vineyards for myself.
2:5 I laid out royal gardens and enclosed parks30 for myself,
and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
2:6 I constructed pools of water for myself,
from which to irrigate a grove31 of flourishing trees.
2:7 I purchased male and female slaves,
and I owned slaves who were born in my house;32
I also acquired more livestock--both herds and flocks--
than any of my predecessors in Jerusalem.
2:8 I also gathered silver and gold for myself,
as well as special personal possessions33 of kings and provinces.
I acquired male singers and female singers for myself,
as well as a man's sensual delights34--a harem of beautiful concubines.35
2:9 So36 I accomplished far more37 than all my predecessors in Jerusalem,
yet I maintained my objectivity:
2:10 I did not hold myself back from acquiring anything that I saw,38
I did not deny myself39 from accomplishing anything that would bring me pleasure.40
Thus I41 experienced enjoyment in all my labor;
this was my reward for all my hard work.
2:11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished42
and on all the energy that I had exerted to accomplish it,43
I concluded:44 "All these45 secular achievements and acquisitions46 are ultimately47 profitless48--
like pursuing the wind!
There is nothing ultimately49 gained50 from them51 on earth."52
Wisdom is Better than Folly
2:12 Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolishness and folly.53
For what more can the king's successor do, except what he54 has already done?
2:13 I realized that wisdom has a relative55 advantage over folly,
just as light has an advantage over darkness:
2:14 The wise man can see where he is going,56 but the fool walks in darkness.
I also realized that the same fate57 happens to them both.58
2:15 So I thought to myself, "The fate of the fool will happen even to me!59
Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively60 wise?"61
So I lamented62 to myself,63
"This relative advantage of wisdom over folly64 is ultimately65 meaningless!"
2:16 Because the wise man, like66 the fool, will not be remembered for very long.67
Because68 in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten.69
Alas,70 the wise man dies--just like71 the fool!
2:17 So I loathed life72 because what occurs73 on earth74 seems awful to me;
For all of the relative advantage of wisdom75 is futile--like pursuing the wind.
Futility of Being A Workaholic
2:18 So I loathed all the fruit of76 my hard labor77
for which I had worked so hard78 on earth,79
because80 I must leave it81 behind82 in the hands of my successor.
2:19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?
Yet83 he will be master over all the fruit of84 my labor85
for which I had worked so wisely86 on earth!87
This also is futile!
2:20 So I began to despair88 about all the fruit of89 my labor90
for which I had worked so hard91 under the sun.
2:21 Because a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill;
however, he must hand over92 the fruit of his labor93 as an inheritance94
to someone else who did not work for it.
This also is futile, and an awful injustice!95
Painful Days and Restless Nights
2:22 What does a man acquire from all his physical labor
and mental turmoil with which he toils on earth?96
2:23 Simply this: All day long his work produces pain and frustration;97
and even at night his mind cannot relax!
This also is fruitless!
Enjoy Work and its Benefits
2:24 There is nothing better for98 a man than99 to eat and drink,
and for him100 to find enjoyment101 in his work.
I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment102 is a sovereign gift103 of God.
2:25 For no one104 can eat and drink105
or experience joy106 apart from him.107
2:26 To the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy;
but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing108 wealth109--
only to give110 it111 to the one who pleases God.
This112 task of the wicked113 is fruitless--like pursuing the wind!
A Time for All Events in Life
3:1 For everything1 there is an appointed time,2
and an appropriate time3 for every matter4 on earth:5
3:2 An appropriate time to be born,6 and an appropriate time to die;7
an appropriate time to plant, and an appropriate time to pluck up what was planted;
3:3 An appropriate time to kill, and an appropriate time to heal;
an appropriate time to break down, and an appropriate time to build up;
3:4 An appropriate time to weep, and an appropriate time to laugh;
an appropriate time to mourn, and an appropriate time to dance.
3:5 An appropriate time to throw away stones, and an appropriate time to gather stones;
an appropriate time to embrace, and an appropriate time to refrain from embracing;
3:6 An appropriate time to seek, and an appropriate time to give something up as lost;8
an appropriate time to keep, and an appropriate time to throw away;
3:7 An appropriate time to rip, and an appropriate time to sew;
an appropriate time to keep silent, and an appropriate time to speak.
3:8 An appropriate time to love, and an appropriate time to hate;
an appropriate time for war, and an appropriate time for peace.
Man is Ignorant of God's Timing
3:9 What advantage can the worker9 gain from his toil?10
3:10 I have observed the burden
that God has given to men to keep them occupied.
3:11 God has made everything fit beautifully11 in its appropriate time;
but12 he has also placed ignorance13 in the human heart;14
so that15 people cannot discover what God has ordained,16
from the beginning to the end17 of their lives.18
Enjoy Life in the Present
3:12 I have concluded19 that there is nothing more beneficial for people20
than21 to be happy and to enjoy themselves22 as long as they live;
3:13 And also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil,
for it23 is the gift of God.
God's Sovereignty
3:14 I also know that whatever God does will endure forever;
nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken away from it.
God has made it this way, so that men should fear him.
3:15 Whatever is has already been, and whatever will be has already been;
for God will seek to do again24 what has occurred25 in the past.26
The Problem of Injustice and Oppression
3:16 I saw something else on earth:27
In the place of justice, there was wickedness;
and in the place of righteousness, there was wickedness.
3:17 I thought to myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked;
for there is an appropriate time for every matter,
and there is a time of judgment28 for every deed.
3:18 I also thought to myself, "It is29 for the sake of people,30
to clearly31 show32 them that they are like animals.
3:19 For the fate of humans33 and the fate of animals are the same;
as one dies, so dies the other. Both have the same breath;
there is no advantage for humans over animals,
for both are fleeting.
3:20 Both go to the same place,
both come from the dust,
and both return to dust.
3:21 Who really knows if the spirit of man ascends upward,
and the spirit of the animal goes downward to the earth?
3:22 So I perceived that there is nothing better than that a man should enjoy his work,
because that is his reward;
for who can show him what will happen when he dies?34
Evil Oppression on Earth
4:1 So1 I again considered2 all the evil oppression3 that continually occurs4 on earth,5
and I saw:6
Those who were oppressed7 were weeping8 with tears,9 but no one was comforting them;
no one delivers10 them from the power of their oppressors.
4:2 So I considered11 the dead who had already died
more fortunate than the living who are still alive.
4:3 But better than both of them is the one who has not yet been born12
and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.13
Labor Motivated by Envy
4:4 Then I considered all the skillful work14 that is done:
Surely it is nothing more than15 competition16 between one man and another.17
This also is profitless and like18 chasing the wind.
4:5 The fool folds his hands and does no work,19
so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.20
4:6 Better is one handful with quietness
than two hands full with toil21 and chasing the wind.
Labor Motivated by Greed
4:7 So22 I again considered23 another24 futile thing on earth:25
4:8 A man who is all alone with no companion,26
he has no children nor siblings;27
Yet there is no end to all his toil,
and he28 is never satisfied with riches.
He laments,29 "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself30 of pleasure?"31
This also is futile and an unhappy business!"32
Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared
4:9 Two people are better than one,
because they can enjoy33 a better benefit34 from their labor.
4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion;
but pity35 the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
4:11 Furthermore, if two lie together, they can keep each other warm;
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
4:12 Although an assailant may overpower36 one person who is alone,37
two would be able to withstand him.
Moreover, a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.
Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking
4:13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive advice.
4:14 For he came out of prison38 to become king,
even though he had been born poor in what would become his39 kingdom.
4:15 I considered all the living who were walking on earth,40
as well as the second one41 who would arise42 in his place.
4:16 There is no end to all the people43 nor to the past generations,44
yet future generations45 will not rejoice in him.
This also is profitless and like46 chasing the wind.
Rash Vows
5:11 Be careful2 what you do3 when you go to the temple4 of God;
Draw near to listen5 rather than to offer a sacrifice6 like fools,7
for they do not realize that they are doing wrong.
5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God,
For God is in heaven and you are on earth!
Therefore, let your words be few.
5:3 Just as dreams come when there are many cares,8
so9 the rash vow10 of a fool occurs11 when there are many words.
5:4 When you make a vow12 to God, do not delay in paying it.13
For God14 takes no pleasure in fools:
Pay what you vow!
5:5 It is better for you not to vow
than to vow and not pay it.15
5:6 Do not let your mouth cause you16 to sin;
And do not tell the priest,17 "It was a mistake!"18
Why make God angry at you19
so that he would destroy the work of your hands?"
5:7 Just as there is futility in many dreams,
so also in many words.20
Therefore, fear God!
Government Corruption
5:8 If you see the extortion21 of the poor,
or the perversion22 of justice and righteousness in the government,23
do not be astonished by the matter.
For the high official is watched by a higher official,24
and there are higher ones over them!25
5:9 The produce of the land is seized26 by all of them,
even the king is served27 by the fields.28
Covetousness
5:10 The one who loves money29 will never be satisfied with money,30
he who loves wealth31 will never be satisfied32 with his33 income.
This also is futile.
5:11 When someone's34 prosperity35 increases, so also those who consume it increase;
so what do its owners gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes?36
5:12 The sleep of the laborer is pleasant--whether he eats little or much;
but the wealth of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life
5:13 Here is37 a depressing misfortune38 on earth39 that I have seen:
Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.
5:14 Then that wealth was lost through bad luck;40
although he fathered a son, he does not have anything left to give him.41
5:15 Just as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked will he again return as he came;
and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away for his toil.
5:16 This is another depressing misfortune:42
Just as he came, so will he go.
and what did he gain from toiling for the wind?
5:17 Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life,43
and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.
Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor
5:18 I myself have seen what is the only beneficial and appropriate thing for man:44
to eat and drink,45 and find enjoyment in all his hard work46 on earth47
during the few days of his life which God has given to him,
for this is his reward.48
5:19 To every man to whom God has given wealth, and possessions,
he has also given him the ability49
to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil;
this50 is the gift of God.
5:20 For he does not reflect51 much about the fleeting52 days of his life
because God keeps him preoccupied53 with joy in his heart.
Not Everyone Enjoys Life
6:1There is1 another misfortune2 that I have seen on earth,3
and it weighs4 heavily on men:5
6:2 God gives a man riches, property, and wealth
so that he lacks nothing that his heart6 desires,7
yet God does not enable8 him to enjoy9 the fruit of his labor10--
instead, someone else11 enjoys12 it! 13
This is fruitless and a grievous misfortune.14
6:3 Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years--
no matter how long he lives,15 but he cannot enjoy his prosperity--
even if he were to live forever,16
I would say, "A stillborn child17 is better off than him!"18
6:4 Though the stillborn child19 came into the world20 for no reason21 and departed into darkness,
though its name is shrouded in darkness,22
6:5 though it never saw the light of day23 nor knew what life is like,24
yet it has more rest25 than that man--
6:6 if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity.
For both of them die!26
6:7 All of man's labors are for nothing more than27 to fill his stomach28--
yet his appetite29 is never satisfied!
6:8 So what advantage does the wise man have over a fool?30
And what advantage31 does a pauper who knows how to live32 have over a fool?33
6:9 It is better to be content with34 what the eyes can see35
than for one's heart to always crave more.36
This continual longing37 is futile--like38 chasing after the wind.
The Futile Way Life Works
6:10 Whatever has happened has been foreordained already,
and what will happen to man39 was also foreknown.
It is useless for him to argue40 with God41 about his fate
because God42 is more powerful than he is.
6:11 The more man argues with words, the less he accomplishes.43
How does that benefit him?44
6:12 For no one knows what is best for a man during his life45--
during the few days of his fleeting life,
for46 they pass away47 like a shadow.
Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.48
Life is Brief and Death is Certain!
7:1 A good reputation1 is better2 than precious3 perfume;4
Likewise,5 the day of one's6 death7 is better than the day of one's birth.8
7:2 It is better to go to a house of mourning9
than a house of banqueting.10
For death11 is the destiny12 of every person,13
and the living should14 take this15 to heart.
7:3 Sorrow16 is better than laughter,
because sober reflection17 is good for the heart.18
7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of merrymaking.19
Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom
7:5 It is better for a man to accept20 a rebuke from wise men21
than to listen to the song22 of fools.
7:6 For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns23 under a cooking pot,
so is the laughter of the fool.
This kind of folly24 also is useless.25
Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity
7:7 Surely oppression26 can turn a wise man into a fool;27
likewise,28 a bribe corrupts29 the heart.30
7:8 The end of a matter31 is better than its beginning;
likewise, patience32 is better than pride.33
7:9 Do not let yourself become quickly provoked,34
for anger resides in the lap35 of fools.
7:10 Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?"36
for it is not wise to ask that.37
Wisdom Can Lengthens One's Life
7:11 Wisdom, like38 an inheritance, is a good thing;
it benefits those who see the light of day.39
7:12 For wisdom provides40 protection,41
just as42 money provides protection.43
But the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom preserves the life44 of its possessor.
Wisdom Acknowledges God's Orchestration of Life
7:13 Consider the work of God:
For who can make straight what he has made crooked?
7:15 In times of prosperity45 be joyful,
but in times of adversity46 consider this:
God has made one as well as the other,47
so that no one can discover what will happen in the future.48
Exceptions to the Law of Retribution
During the days of my fleeting life49 I have seen both50 of these things:
Sometimes51 a righteous man dies prematurely52 in spite of53 his righteousness,
and sometimes54 a wicked man prolongs his life55 in spite of his evildoing.
7:16 So do not be excessively righteous and do not be excessively56 wise;57
otherwise58 you might59 be dumbfounded.60
7:17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool;
otherwise61 you might die before your time.
7:18 It is best to take hold of one warning62 without letting go of the other warning;63
For the one who fears God will follow64 both warnings.65
Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous
7:19 Wisdom gives a wise man more protection66 than ten rulers in a city.
7:20 For67 there is not one truly68 righteous man on the earth
who continually does good and never sins.
7:21 Also, do not pay attention to everything that people69 say;
otherwise,70 you might even hear71 your servant reviling you.
7:22 For you know in your own heart72 that you also have reviled others many times.
Human Wisdom is Limited
7:23 I have examined all this by wisdom;
I had said, "I am determined73 to comprehend this"74--but it was beyond my grasp.75
7:24 Whatever has happened is beyond human76 understanding;77
It is far deeper than man can fathom.78
True Righteousness and Wisdom are Virtually Non-Existent
7:25 I turned my mind79 to try to understand, examine, and comprehend80
the role of81 wisdom in the scheme of things,82
and to understand the stupidity of wickedness83 and the insanity of folly.84
7:26 I discovered this:85
More bitter than death is the kind of86 woman87 who is like a hunter's snare;88
her heart is like a hunter's net and her hands are like a prison chains.
The man who pleases God escapes her,
but the sinner is captured by her.
7:27 The Teacher says:
I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.
7:28 What I have continually sought, I have not found;
I have found only89 one upright90 man among a thousand,
but I have not found one upright woman among all of them.
7:29 This alone have I discovered: God made mankind upright,
but they have sought many evil schemes.
Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom
8:1 Who is1 a2 wise man? Who knows the solution3 to a problem?4
A man's wisdom brightens his appearance,5 and softens6 his harsh countenance.7
8:2 Obey the king's command,8
because you took9 an oath before God10 to be loyal to him.
8:3 Do not rush out of the king's presence in haste--do not delay when the matter is unpleasant,11
for he can do whatever he pleases.
8:4 Surely the king's authority12 is absolute;13
no one can say14 to him,15 "What are you doing?"
8:5 Whoever obeys his16 command will not experience harm,
and a wise man17 knows the proper time18 and procedure.19
8:6 For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,
for the oppression20 of the king21 is severe upon his victim.22
8:7 Surely no one knows the future,23
and no one can tell another person24 what will happen.25
8:8 Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it,26
so no one has power over the day of his death.
Just as no one can be discharged in the midst of battle,27
so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.28
8:9 While applying29 my mind30 to everything31 that happens in this world,32 I have seen all this:
Sometimes one man33 domineers34 other men35 to their harm.36
Contradictions to the Law of Retribution
8:10 Not only that,37 but I have seen the wicked approaching38 and entering the temple;39
and as they left the holy temple,40 they boasted41 in the city that they had done so.
This also is enigmatic.42
8:11 When43 the sentence44 is not executed45 against an evil deed speedily,
the human heart46 is encouraged47 to do evil.
8:12 Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes48 and still live a long time,49
yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people50--for they stand in fear51 before him.
8:13 But it will not go well with the wicked,
nor will they52 prolong their53 days like a shadow,54
because they55 do not stand in fear56 before God.
8:14 Here is57 another58 enigma59 that occurs on earth:
Sometimes there are righteous men who get what the wicked deserve for their deeds,60
and sometimes there are wicked men who get what the righteous deserve for their deeds.61
I said, "This also is an enigma."
Enjoy Life In Spite of Its Injustices
8:15 So I recommend the enjoyment of life,62
for there is nothing better on earth63 for man to do64 except65 to eat, drink, and enjoy66 life;67
thus,68 joy69 will accompany him in his toil
during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.70
Limitations of Human Wisdom
8:16 When I diligently attempted71 to gain72 wisdom
and to observe the human73 activity74 on earth--
even though75 it prevents anyone from sleeping76 day or night77--
8:17 then I discerned all that God has done:78
No one really comprehends what happens79 on the earth.80
Despite all human81 efforts to discover it, no one can ever grasp82 it.83
Even if 84 a wise man might claim85 that he understood,
he would not really comprehend86 it.87
Everyone Will Die
9:1 So I reflected on all this,1 attempting to clear2 it all up.
I concluded that3 the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God;
whether he will be loved or hated4--
no one knows anything of what lies ahead of him.5
9:2 Everyone shares the same fate6--
the righteous and the wicked,
the good and the bad;7
the ceremonially clean and the ceremonially unclean,
those who offer sacrifices and those who do not offer sacrifices.
What happens to the good man, also happens to the sinner;8
what happens to those who make vows, also happens to those who are afraid to make vows.
9:3 This is the unfortunate thing9 about everything that happens on earth:10
the same fate awaits11 everyone;
The hearts of all people12 are full of evil,
and there is madness in their hearts during their lives--then they die.13
Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead
9:4 But whoever is among14 the living15 has hope;
a live dog is better than a dead lion.
9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything;
they have no further reward--and even the memory of them is forgotten.
9:6 The things they loved,16 as well as the things they hated17 and envied,18 all perished long ago;
and they no longer have a part in anything that is done on earth.19
Life is Brief, so its Joys Should be Cherished
9:7 Go, eat your food20 with joy,
and drink your wine with a happy heart,
because God has already approved your work.
9:8 Let your clothes always be white,
and do not spare precious ointment on your head.
9:9 Enjoy21 life with your beloved wife22 during all the days of your fleeting23 life
that God24 has given you on earth25 during all your fleeting days;26
for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work27 on earth.28
9:10 Whatever you29 find to do with your hands,30
do it with all your might;
because there is neither work nor plan nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol,31
the place where you will eventually go.32
Wisdom Cannot Protect against Seemingly Chance Events
9:11 Again,33 I observed this on the earth:34
the race is not always35 won by the swiftest,
the battle is not always won by the strongest;
prosperity36 does not always belong to those who are the wisest,
wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning,
nor does success37 always come to those with the most knowledge--
for time and chance may overcome38 them all.
9:12 Surely, no one39 knows his appointed time!40
Like fish that are caught in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare--
just like them, all people41 are ensnared42 at an unfortunate43 time that falls upon them suddenly.
Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel
9:13 This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth,44
and it is a great burden45 to me:
9:14 There was once46 a small city with a few men in it,
and a mighty king attacked it, besieging47 it and building strong48 siege works against it;
9:15 However, a poor but wise man lived49 in the city,50
and he could have delivered51 the city by his wisdom;
but no one listened52 to that poor man.
9:16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might,53
but a poor man's wisdom is despised; no one ever listens54 to his advice.55
Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly
9:17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet,
more than the shouting of a ruler is heard56 among fools.
9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much good.
10:1 Dead1 flies2 make the perfumer's ointment give off a rancid stench,3
so a little folly can outweigh4 much wisdom.5
Wisdom Can Be Nullified By the Caprice of Rulers
10:2 The heart of the wise man is at his right hand,6
but a fool's heart is at his left hand.7
10:3 Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense,8
and shows9 everyone what a fool he is.
10:4 If the anger10 of the ruler rises against you, do not resign11 from your position,12
for a calm13 response14 can undo15 great offenses.
10:5 I have seen another16 misfortune17 on the earth:18
it is the kind of error that an authoritative ruler makes.19
10:6 Fools20 are placed in many positions of authority,21
but wealthy men sit in lowly positions.
10:7 I have seen servants22 on horseback,
and princes walking on foot23 like servants.
Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life
10:8 He who digs a pit may24 fall into it,
and he who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.25
10:9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them,
he who splits logs may be endangered by them.
10:10 If the iron axhead26 is blunt and the workman27 does not sharpen28 its edge,29
he must exert a great deal of effort;30
thus wisdom has the advantage of giving success.
10:11 If the snake should bite before it is charmed,31
the snake charmer32 is in trouble.33
Words and Works of Wise men and Fools
10:12 The words of a wise man34 win him35 favor,36
but the words37 of a fool are self-destructive.38
10:13 At the beginning his words39 are foolish
and at the end40 his talk41 is wicked madness,42
10:14 yet a fool multiplies words.43
No one knows what will happen;
Who can tell him what will happen in the future?44
10:15 The toil of a fool45 wears him out,46
because he does not even know the way to the city.47
The Problem with Foolish Rulers
10:16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish,48
and your princes feast in the morning!
10:17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility,49
and your princes feast at the proper time50--with self-control51 and not in drunkenness.
10:18 Because of laziness the roof52 sinks in,
and because of idle hands53 the house leaks.
10:19 Feasts54 are made55 for laughter,
and wine makes life merry;56
but money is the answer57 for everything.
10:20 Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
and do not curse people in authority58 while in your bedroom;59
for a bird of the air might carry your60 voice,
or some winged creature61 might repeat your62 words.63
Ignorance of the Future Demands Diligence in the Present
11:1 Send1 your grain2 overseas,3
for after many days you will get a return.4
11:2 Divide your merchandise5 among seven or even eight6 investments,7
for you do not know8 what calamity9 may happen on earth.
11:3 If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth;
and whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, the tree will lie wherever it falls.
11:4 He who watches the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.10
11:5 Just as you do not know the path11 of the wind,
or how the bones form12 in the womb of a pregnant woman;13
so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
11:6 Sow your seed in the morning,
and do not stop working14 until the evening;15
for you do not know which activity16 will succeed17--
whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.18
Life Should Be Savored Because Death is Imminent
11:7 Light19 is sweet,20
and it is pleasant for a person21 to see the sun.22
11:8 So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember that the days of darkness23 will be many--all that is about to come is obscure.24
Enjoy Life to the Fullest under the Fear of God
11:9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young,25
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Follow the impulses26 of your heart and the desires27 of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
11:10 Banish28 emotional stress29 from your mind.30
and put away pain31 from your body;32
for youth33 and the prime of life34 are fleeting.35
Fear God Now Because Old Age and Death Come Quickly
12:1So remember1 your Creator in the days of your youth--
before2 the difficult3 days come,
and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
12:2 before the sun and the light4 of the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds disappear5 after the rain;
12:3 when those who keep watch over the house6 begin to tremble,7
and the virile men begin to stoop over,8
and the grinders9 begin to cease because they grow few,
and those who look through the windows grow dim,10
12:4 and the doors along the street are shut;
when the sound of the grinding mill11 grows low,
and one is awakened12 by the sound of a bird,
and all their13 songs14 grow faint,15
12:5 and they are afraid of heights and the dangers16 in the street;
the almond blossoms17 grow white,18
and the grasshopper19 drags itself along,20
and the caper berry21 shrivels up22--
because man goes to his eternal home,23
and the mourners go about in the streets--
12:6 before the silver cord is removed,
or the golden bowl is broken,
or the pitcher is shattered at the well,24
or the water wheel25 is broken at the cistern--
12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis
12:8 "Absolutely futile!"26 laments the Teacher,27
"All of these things28 are futile!"29
Concluding Epilogue: Qoheleth's Advice is Wise
12:9 Not only was Qoheleth wise,30
but he also taught knowledge to the people;
he carefully evaluated31 and arranged32 many proverbs.
12:10 Qoheleth sought to find delightful33 words,
and to accurately write34 truthful sayings.35
12:11 The words of the sages are like prods,36
and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails;
they are given by one shepherd.
Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands!
12:12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.37
There is no end to the making38 of books,
and much study is wearisome to the body.39
12:13 The end of the matter, having heard everything:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty40 of man.
12:14 For God will bring every deed into judgment,
concerning every secret thing, whether good or evil.