Reference: Ecclesiastes, The Book Of
Fausets
The speaker so entitles himself, Hebrew: Qoheleth, Greek Ecclesiastes, "the convener of, and preacher to, assemblies," namely, church assemblies. The feminine form, and its construction once with a feminine verb (Ec 7:27), show that divine Wisdom herself speaks through the inspired king Solomon. God had especially endowed him with this wisdom (1Ki 3:5-14; 6:11-12; 9:1, etc.; 1Ki 11:9-11). "The preacher taught the people (and inquirers) knowledge" in a divan assembled for the purpose (1Ki 4:34; 10:2,8,24; 2Ch 9:1,7,23). "Spake," thrice in 1Ki 4:32-33, refers not to written compositions, but to addresses spoken in assemblies. Solomon's authorship is supported by Ec 1:12,16; 2:1-15; 12:9. But in the book are found words:
(1) rarely employed in the earlier, frequently in the later books of Scripture.
(2) Words never found in Hebrew writings until the Babylonian captivity; as zimaan, "set time," for moed; Ec 3:1, namely, in Ne 2:6; Es 9:27,31. So pithgam, "sentence" (Ec 8:11); "thought," madang; 'illuw "though" (Ec 6:6); bikeen, "so" (Ec 8:10): thus, Esther approximates most to Ecclesiastes in idioms.
(3) Words not found in the late Hebrew, but only in the Aramaic sections of Daniel and Ezra: yithron, "profit "; compare yuthran in the Aramaic targums; kibaar, "already," "long ago"; taaqam, "make straight" (Ec 1:15; 7:13; Da 4:33) (Da 4:36 "established"); ruwth, "desire," found also in the Aramaic parts of Ezra.
(4) The grammatical constructions agree with the transition period from Hebrew to Aramaic; frequent participles, the uses of the relative, Vav (?) or waw-conversive rare. Probably, since the book is poetical not historical, a later writer, in the person of Solomon as an idealized Solomon, writes under inspiration the lessons that such an experience as that of Solomon would properly afford. Hence, Solomon is not named; the writer speaks as Qoheleth, "the preacher." If it were merely Solomon's penitent confession in old age, he would have used his own name. The spirit of Solomon speaks, the true Qoheleth ("gatherer"), a type of Him who is "Wisdom" and calls Himself so, and who "would have gathered Jerusalem's children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"; compare Lu 11:49 with Mt 23:34-37.
The writer makes Solomon's saying after his late repentance, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity," his text which he expands under the Spirit. So the sons of Korah write Psalm 42 as from David's soul, in his trans-jordanic flight from Absalom, so that David is the speaker throughout. Qoheleth addresses "the great congregation" (Ps 22:25; 49:2-4), giving his testimony for godliness as the only solid good, as the seal of his repentance under chastisement for apostasy (1Ki 11:14,23; Ps 89:30,33). It is just possible that the peculiarities of language may be due to Solomon's long intercourse with foreigners; also the Chaldaisms may be fragments preserved from the common tongue of which Hebrew, Syriac, Chaldee, and Arabic were offshoots. So Solomon himself would be the writer. Its canonicity rests on the testimony of the Jewish church, "to whom were committed the oracles of God," and who are never charged in the New Testament with unfaithfulness in that respect, though so unfaithful in other respects (Ro 3:2).
Many allusions to Ecclesiastes occur in New Testament: Ec 7:2; Mt 5:3-4; Ec 5:2; Mt 6:7; Ec 6:2; Lu 12:20; Mt 6:19-34; Ec 11:5; Joh 3:8; Ec 9:10; Joh 9:4; Ec 10:12; Col 4:6; Ec 12:14; 2Co 5:10; Ec 5:1; 1Ti 3:15; Jas 1:19; Ec 5:6; 1Co 11:10. The Old Testament would be incomplete without the book that sets forth the unsatisfying vanity of the creature apart from God, even as the Song depicts the all-satisfying fullness there is for us in God our Savior. The theme is the vanity of all human pursuits when made the chief end, and the consequent wisdom of making the fear of God and His commandments our main aim.
This presumes the immortality of the soul, which was more needed as a doctrine at the time when God, whose theocratic kingship Israel's self chosen king in some measure superseded, was withdrawing the extraordinary providences from whence the Mosaic law had drawn its sanctions of temporal reward or punishment. The anomalies that virtue is not always rewarded, nor vice always punished, here (Ec 2:16; 3:19; 4:1; 5:8; 7:15; 8:14; 9:2,11), suggested the truth that there must be a future life and. a judgment, wherein God will deal with men according to their present works. This is "the conclusion of the whole" discussion, that man's wisdom and "whole duty" is to "fear God and keep His commandments" (Ec 12:13-14), and meanwhile to use in joyful and serene sobriety, and not abuse, life's present passing goods (Ec 3:12-13).
David, Solomon's father (Ps 39:12), and Job (Job 7:16), had already taught the vanity of man and man's earthly aims. So Solomon speaks of man ('adam, not 'iysh) as such, frail and mortal, not redeemed man nor the elect nation Israel. Hence, not Jehovah, expressing the covenant relation to His people, but the general name God ('Elohim), appears throughout, the correlative to "man" ('adam) in general. The fatiguing toil or travail ('amal) of man is another characteristic phrase; it bereaves of "quietness" and "good" (Ec 4:6,8). In contrast stands "the work of God," which "no man can find out from the beginning to the end": yet this much he sees, it is "beautiful," and "in His time," and "for ever"; "nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it" (Ec 3:11,14); none" can make that straight which He hath made crooked" (Ec 7:13).
So the" all" that is "vanity" is whatever work man, frail and mortal, undertakes, not falling in with God's irresistible work. Man's way to escape from the vanity that attends his work, however successful it seem for a time, is to "fear God," and to make His commandments the end of all our work; also to acquiesce patiently, cheerfully, and contentedly in all God's dispensations, however trying and dark (Ec 2:24; 3:12-13,22; 5:17; 8:15; 9:7). The recommendation to "eat and drink," etc., was mistaken as recommending the Epicurean sensuality against which Paul (1Co 15:32-33) protests, and was made an objection to the book; but the eating and drinking recommended is that associated with labor, not idleness; with pious "fear of God," not sensual ignoring of the future Judge; the cheerful, contented "eating and drinking" which characterized Judah and Israel under Solomon (1Ki 4:20), and under Josiah (Jer 22:15, "Did not thy father (Josiah) eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?")
So Nehemiah enjoins (Ne 8:10-12). Ec 2:24 has: "is it not good for man that he should eat?" etc. This is opposed to a self-harassing, covetous, grasping carefulness (Php 4:6-7; Mt 6:24-34; Ec 5:18, compare Ec 5:11-15). The joy of sensual levity is explicitly forbidden (Ec 7:2-6; 11:9; 12:1). The reference to hopeless oppression (Ec 4:1-3) is made the ground for supposing the period was one of the congregations's suffering, as Israel suffered under Persia after the return from Babylon. But even in Solomon's days, in the provinces, and especially when he fell into idolatry and consequent troubles, oppression must have often occurred, which his power was not able to prevent altogether in subordinate governors. Fatalism and skepticism might seem to be taught in Ec 7:16; 9:2-10, but Ec 7:17-18; 9:11; 11:1-6; 12:13, confute such notions.
What is forbidden is a self-made "righteousness" which would constrain God to grant salvation to man's works, and ceremonial strictness with which it wearies itself profitlessly; also that speculation which would fathom God's inscrutable counsels (Ec 8:17). "Under the sun" or "the heavens" is another characteristic phrase (Ec 1:13; compare Ec 7:11; 11:7; 12:2). Irresistible death is what stamps "vanity" on earthly aims and works (Ec 1:4; 8:8).; in this respect man has "no preeminence above a beast" (Ec 3:19). With all man's ceaseless round of toils he returns to the point from whence he came, like the winds and the currents (Ec 1:5-11). He can bring forth no "new" thing, nor ensure his "remembrance." "What profit then hath he of all his labor?" Ec 1:3 answering to Mt 16
See Verses Found in Dictionary
So then Yahweh God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed in his nostrils the breath of life - and man became a living soul.
In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared unto Solomon, in a dream by night, - and God said, Ask, what I shall give thee. Then said Solomon - Thou, didst deal, with thy servant David my father, in great lovingkindness, according as he walked before thee, in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart, with thee, - and thou hast kept, for him, this great lovingkindness, that thou hast given unto him a son, to sit upon his throne, as it is this day. read more. Now, therefore, O Yahweh my God, thou, hast made thy servant king, instead of David my father, - and, I, am but a little child, I know not how to go out and come in. And, thy servant, is in the midst of thy people, whom thou hast chosen, - a numerous people, that cannot be numbered or summed up, for multitude. Wilt thou, then, give unto thy servant, a heart that hearkeneth, to judge thy people, to discern between good and bad, - for who is able to judge this thine honoured people? And the thing was good in the eyes of the Lord, - that Solomon had asked this thing; And God said unto him - Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself many days, nor asked for thyself riches, nor asked the lives of thine enemies, - but hast asked for thyself discernment, in hearing a cause, lo! I have done according to thy word, - lo! I have given unto thee a wise and discerning heart, so that, like thee, hath been none, before thee, and, after thee, shall rise up none, like thee. Moreover also, what thou hast not asked, have I given unto thee, both riches and honour, - so that there hath been none, like thee, among the kings, all thy days. And, if thou wilt walk in my ways, by keeping my statutes, and my commandments, as, David thy father, walked, then will I lengthen out thy days.
Judah and Israel, were many, as the sand that is by the sea, for multitude, - eating and drinking, and rejoicing.
And he spake three thousand proverbs, - and it came to pass that, his songs, were a thousand and five. And he discoursed of trees - from the cedar that is in Lebanon, even unto the hyssop, that springeth out in the wall, - and he discoursed of beasts and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fishes. read more. And there came in, of all the peoples, to hear the wisdom of Solomon - of all the kings of the earth, who heard his wisdom.
Then came the word of Yahweh unto Solomon, saying: Concerning this house, which thou art building, If thou wilt walk in my statutes, and, my regulations, wilt practise, and so observe all my commandments, by walking in them, Then will I establish my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father;
And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of building the house of Yahweh, and the house of the king, and everything that Solomon desired, which he was pleased to make,
Yea she came to Jerusalem with a very heavily-laden train, of camels bearing spices, and gold in great abundance, and precious stones, - and, when she was come to Solomon, she spake unto him all that was near her heart;
How happy, are thy wives, how happy, are these thy servants, - who do stand before thee continually, who hear thy wisdom!
And, all the earth, did seek the face of Solomon, - to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
Therefore did Yahweh shew himself angry with Solomon, - because his heart had turned aside from Yahweh God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice; and had been giving command to him concerning this thing, that he should not go away after other gods, - but he had not taken heed unto that which Yahweh had commanded. read more. Wherefore Yahweh said unto Solomon - Forasmuch as this hath come to pass with thee, and thou hast not heeded my covenant and my statutes, which I charged upon thee, I will, rend, the kingdom away from thee, and will give it unto a servant of thine.
And Yahweh raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite, - of the seed of the king, was he, in Edom.
And God raised up against him an adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, - who had fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah, his lord;
And the king said unto me, the queen, also sitting beside him, For how long would be thy journey? and when wouldst thou return? So it seemed good before the king to send me, and I set him a time.
So he said unto them - Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared, for holy is the day, unto our Lord, - and be not grieved, for, the joy of Yahweh, is your strength. And, the Levites, were quieting all the people, saying - Hush! for, the day, is holy, - and be not grieved. read more. And all the people went their way, to eat and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great rejoicing, - because they had understood the words which were made known unto them.
The Jews established and took upon themselves - and upon their seed, and upon all who should join themselves unto them, that it might not pass away, that they would continue to keep these two days, according to the writing concerning them and at their set time, - always year by year.
to establish these days of the Purim, in their set times, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined upon them, and according as they had enjoined upon their own soul, and upon their seed, - the story of the fastings and of their outcry.
I am wasted away, Not, to times age-abiding, can I live, Let me alone, for, a breath, are my days.
Of thee, is my praise in the great convocation, My vows, will I pay, before them who revere him.
Hear my prayer, O Yahweh, And, unto my cry for help, give ear, At my tears, do not be silent, - For, a sojourner, am, I, with thee, A stranger, like all my fathers.
Both sons of the low, And sons of the high, - Together both rich and needy: - My mouth, shall speak forth Wisdom, And the soft utterance of my heart be Understanding: read more. I will bend, to a by-word, mine ear, I will open, on the lyre, mine enigma.
But, my lovingkindness, will I not frustrate from them, Neither will I falsify my faithfulness;
The beginning of wisdom, is the reverence of Yahweh, Good discretion, have all that do them, His praise, endureth for aye.
Surely, unto times age-abiding, shall he not be shaken, In remembrance, age-abiding, shall the righteous one remain;
The reverence of Yahweh, is the beginning of knowledge, Wisdom and correction, the foolish have despised. Hear, my son, the correction of thy father, and do not reject the instruction of thy mother;
Wisdom, in the open place, soundeth forth, in the broadways, she raiseth her voice;
The beginning of wisdom, is the reverence of Yahweh, and, the knowledge of the Holy, is understanding;
The words of the Proclaimer, son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities! saith the Proclaimer, vanity of vanities! all, is vanity. read more. What profit hath Man, in all his toil wherewith he toileth under the sun?
What profit hath Man, in all his toil wherewith he toileth under the sun? Generation, goeth and, generation, cometh, but, the earth, unto times age-abiding, remaineth.
Generation, goeth and, generation, cometh, but, the earth, unto times age-abiding, remaineth. And the sun, breaketh forth, and the sun, goeth in, - yea, unto his own place, he panteth, from whence he brake forth.
And the sun, breaketh forth, and the sun, goeth in, - yea, unto his own place, he panteth, from whence he brake forth. Going unto the south, and circling unto the north, - circling, circling continually, is, the wind, and, over its own circuits, returneth the wind.
Going unto the south, and circling unto the north, - circling, circling continually, is, the wind, and, over its own circuits, returneth the wind. All the streams, flow into the sea, yet, the sea, is not full, - unto the place whither the streams flow, thither, do they again flow.
All the streams, flow into the sea, yet, the sea, is not full, - unto the place whither the streams flow, thither, do they again flow. All words, are weak, unable is any man to tell, - not satisfied is the eye by seeing, nor filled is the ear with hearing.
All words, are weak, unable is any man to tell, - not satisfied is the eye by seeing, nor filled is the ear with hearing. That which hath been, is the same that shall be, and, that which hath been done, is the same that shall be done, - and there is, nothing new, under the sun.
That which hath been, is the same that shall be, and, that which hath been done, is the same that shall be done, - and there is, nothing new, under the sun. Is there a thing, of which it can be said, See here, it is, new? Already, hath it been, for ages, it is something which was before us.
Is there a thing, of which it can be said, See here, it is, new? Already, hath it been, for ages, it is something which was before us. There is, no remembrance, of the thing before, - nor, even of the things after, which shall be, will there be any remembrance, with them who shall come after.
There is, no remembrance, of the thing before, - nor, even of the things after, which shall be, will there be any remembrance, with them who shall come after. I, the Proclaimer, was king over Israel, in Jerusalem.
I, the Proclaimer, was king over Israel, in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and to search out, wisely, concerning all things which are done under the heavens, - the same, is the vexatious employment God hath given to the sons of men, to work toilsomely therein,
That which is crooked, cannot be straight, - and, that which is wanting, cannot be reckoned.
That which is crooked, cannot be straight, - and, that which is wanting, cannot be reckoned. Spake, I, in my heart, saying, As for me, lo! I have become great, and have gathered wisdom, beyond any one who hath been before me over Jerusalem, - and, my heart, hath seen much wisdom and knowledge:
Said, I, in my heart, Come now! I will prove thee with gladness, and look thou on blessedness, - but lo! even that, was vanity. Of laughter, I said, Madness! and, of mirth, What can it do? read more. I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life. I enlarged my works, - I built me houses, I planted me vineyards; I made me gardens, and parks, - I planted in them trees of every kind of fruit; I made me pools of water, - to irrigate therefrom the thick-set saplings growing up into trees: I acquired, men-servants and women-servants, and, the children of the household, were mine, - also possessions, herds and flocks in abundance, were mine, beyond all who had been before me in Jerusalem; I heaped me up, both silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings, and provinces, - I provided me singing-men and singing-women, and the delights of the sons of men, a wife and wives. So I became great, and increased, more than any one who had been before me in Jerusalem, - moreover, my wisdom, remained with me; and, nothing that mine eyes asked, withheld I from them, - I did not keep back my heart from any gladness, for, my heart, obtained gladness out of all my toil, and so, this, was my portion, out of all my toil. When, I, looked upon all my works, which my hands had made, and on my toil, whereon I had toilsomely wrought, then lo! all, was vanity, and feeding on wind, and there was no profit under the sun. Thus turned, I, to look at wisdom, and madness and folly, - for what can the man do more who cometh after the king? save that which, already, men have done. Then saw, I, that wisdom doth excel folly, - as far as light excelleth darkness. As for the wise man, his eyes, are in his head, whereas, the dullard, in darkness, doth walk, - but, I myself, knew that, one destiny, happeneth to them, all. Then said, I, in my heart, As it happeneth to the dullard, even to me, will it happen, but wherefore, then, became, I, wise to excess? Therefore spake I, in my heart, Even this, is vanity. For there is no remembrance of a wise man, more than of a dullard, unto times age-abiding, - seeing that, already, in the days to come, all hath been forgotten, how then cometh it that the wise man dieth equally with the dullard?
There was nothing more blessed for Man than that he should eat and drink, and see his desireth for blessedness in his toil, - even this, saw, I myself, that, from the hand of God, it was.
There was nothing more blessed for Man than that he should eat and drink, and see his desireth for blessedness in his toil, - even this, saw, I myself, that, from the hand of God, it was.
For, every thing, there is a season, - and a time for every pursuit, under the heavens: -
Everything, hath he made beautiful in its own time, - also, intelligence, hath he put in their heart, without which men could not find out the work which God hath wrought, from the beginning even unto the end.
Everything, hath he made beautiful in its own time, - also, intelligence, hath he put in their heart, without which men could not find out the work which God hath wrought, from the beginning even unto the end. I know that there is no blessedness in them, - save to be glad, and to do well with one's life.
I know that there is no blessedness in them, - save to be glad, and to do well with one's life.
I know that there is no blessedness in them, - save to be glad, and to do well with one's life. Though indeed, that any man should eat and drink, and see blessedness, in all his toil, it is, the gift of God.
Though indeed, that any man should eat and drink, and see blessedness, in all his toil, it is, the gift of God. I know, that, whatsoever God doeth, the same, shall be age-abiding, unto it, there is nothing to add, and, from it, there is nothing to take away, - and, God, hath done it, that men should stand in awe before him.
Said, I, in my heart, Both the righteous and the lawless, will God judge, - for there will be a time for every pursuit, and concerning every work - there.
For, as regardeth the destiny of the sons of men and the destiny of beasts, one fate, have they, as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all, - and, the pre-eminence of man over beast, is nothing, for, all, were vanity:
For, as regardeth the destiny of the sons of men and the destiny of beasts, one fate, have they, as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all, - and, the pre-eminence of man over beast, is nothing, for, all, were vanity:
Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of men, whether it, ascendeth, above, - or the spirit of the beast, whether it, descendeth, below, to the earth? So I saw, that there was nothing better than that a man should be glad in his works, for, that, is his portion, - for who can bring him in, to look upon that which shall be after him?
So I saw, that there was nothing better than that a man should be glad in his works, for, that, is his portion, - for who can bring him in, to look upon that which shall be after him?
Then again, I, considered all the oppressive deeds which were done under the sun, - and lo! the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter, and, on the side of their oppressing, is power, and they have no comforter.
Then again, I, considered all the oppressive deeds which were done under the sun, - and lo! the tears of the oppressed, and they have no comforter, and, on the side of their oppressing, is power, and they have no comforter. So, I, pronounced happy the dead, who were, already, dead, - more than the living, who were living, still; read more. and, as better than both, him who had not yet come into being, - who had not seen the vexatious work, which was done under the sun.
Better a handful - with quietness, - than both hands, full - with toil, and feeding on wind.
Here is one, without a second, even son or brother, he hath none, yet is there no end to all his toil, even his eye, is not satisfied with riches, - neither saith he For whom, am I toiling, and letting my soul want good? Even this, was vanity, yea a vexatious employment, it was!
Keep thy foot, when thou goest unto the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than dullards to offer sacrifice, - for they make no acknowledgment of doing wrong. Be not rash with thy mouth, and, with thy heart, be not in haste to bring forth a word, before God, - for, God, is in the heavens, and, thou, upon the earth, for this cause, let thy words be few.
Do not let thy mouth cause thy flesh to sin, - neither say thou, before the messenger, that it was, a mistake, - wherefore should God be indignant at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
If, the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of justice and righteousness, thou see in the province, do not be astonished over the matter, - for, one high above the highest, is watching, yea, the Most High, is over them.
When blessings are increased, increased are the eaters thereof, - what profit, then, to the owner of them saving the sight of his eyes? Sweet the sleep of the labourer, whether, little or much, he eat, - but, the surfeit of the rich man, will not suffer him to sleep. read more. Here was an incurable evil, I had seen under the sun, riches kept by the owner thereof, to his hurt; and those riches perish, by being ill employed, - and though he begetteth a son, yet is there in his hand nothing at all. As he came from his mother's womb, naked, he again departeth, as he came, - and, nothing, can he take of his toil, which he can carry in his hand.
Even all his days, are spent in darkness and mourning, - and he is very morose, and is sad and angry. Lo! what, I myself, have seen - Better that it should be excellent to eat and to drink and to see blessedness, in all one's toil wherein one toileth under the sun, for the number of the days of his life, in that God hath given it him, for, that, is his portion:
Lo! what, I myself, have seen - Better that it should be excellent to eat and to drink and to see blessedness, in all one's toil wherein one toileth under the sun, for the number of the days of his life, in that God hath given it him, for, that, is his portion:
A man to whom God giveth riches and gains and honour, so that nothing doth he lack for his soul - of all that he craveth, and yet God doth not give him power to eat thereof, but, a man unknown, eateth it, - this, was vanity, and, an incurable evil, it was.
Even though one hath lived a thousand years twice told, yet, good, hath he not seen, - is it not, unto one place, that, all, are going?
Better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of banqueting, for, that, is the end of all men, - and, the living, should take it to his heart.
Better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of banqueting, for, that, is the end of all men, - and, the living, should take it to his heart. Better is grief than laughter, - for, by the marring of the face, amended is the heart. read more. The heart of the wise, is in the house of mourning, but, the heart of dullards, in the house of mirth. Better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for any man to hear the song of dullards, For, as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so, is the laughter of the dullard, - even this, then, was vanity.
Everything, had I seen, in my days of vanity, - Here was a righteous man, perishing in his righteousness, and there was a lawless man, continuing long in his wickedness. Do not become so very righteous, neither count thyself wise beyond measure, - wherefore shouldst thou destroy thyself? read more. Do not be so very lawless, neither become thou foolish, - wherefore shouldst thou die, before thy time? It is well that thou shouldst lay fast hold of this, but, even from the other, do not withdraw thy hand, - for, he that revereth God, shall come forth out of them all.
See! this, have I found, saith the Proclaimer counting one by one, to find a conclusion;
Only, see, this, have I found, That God made man upright, but, they, have sought out many devices.
No man, hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit, and, none, hath power over the day of death, and there is no furlough in war, - neither shall lawlessness deliver them who are given thereto.
And, thereupon, I considered the lawless when buried, when they had entered, their graves , that, from the place of the Holy One, they used to go and boast in the city that they had so done, - even this, was vanity. Because sentence against a wicked work is not executed speedily - on this account, the heart of the sons of men is fully set within them, to commit wickedness. read more. Though a sinner be committing wickedness a hundred times, and continuing long in his own way, yet I surely know that it shall be well to them who revere God, who stand in awe before him;
Here was a vain thing which was done upon the earth - that there were righteous men unto whom it happened according to the work of the lawless, and there were lawless men, unto whom it happened according to the work of the righteous, - I said, that, even this, was vanity. Then extolled I, gladness, in that there was nothing better for a man, under the sun, than to eat and to drink, and to be glad, - since, that, should tarry with him in his toil, for the days of his life which God had given him under the sun.
Then extolled I, gladness, in that there was nothing better for a man, under the sun, than to eat and to drink, and to be glad, - since, that, should tarry with him in his toil, for the days of his life which God had given him under the sun.
Then I considered all the work of God, that man could not find out the work that was done under the sun, inasmuch as man toileth in seeking and yet cannot find, - yea, even though the wise man should say he knoweth, yet can he not find it out.
Every one, was like every one else, one destiny, had the righteous and the lawless, the good and the pure and the impure, and he that sacrificed, and he that did not sacrifice, - as the good man, so, the sinner, he that took an oath, as he who, of an oath, stood in fear.
Every one, was like every one else, one destiny, had the righteous and the lawless, the good and the pure and the impure, and he that sacrificed, and he that did not sacrifice, - as the good man, so, the sinner, he that took an oath, as he who, of an oath, stood in fear. This was a misfortune in all that was done under the sun, that, one destiny, had they all, - yea also, the heart of the sons of men, was full of wickedness, and, madness, was in their heart, while they lived, and, after that, they went unto the dead. read more. For, whosoever was united to all the living, for him, there was hope, - -inasmuch as, a living dog, fared better than a dead lion. For, the living, knew that they should die, - -but, the dead, knew not, anything, neither had they any longer a reward, because forgotten was their memory.
For, the living, knew that they should die, - -but, the dead, knew not, anything, neither had they any longer a reward, because forgotten was their memory. Both their love and their hatred and their envy, already had perished, - and, portion, had they none any longer, unto times age-abiding, in aught that was done under the sun.
Both their love and their hatred and their envy, already had perished, - and, portion, had they none any longer, unto times age-abiding, in aught that was done under the sun. Go thy way - eat, with gladness, thy food, and drink, with a happy heart, thy wine, - when already God is well pleased with thy works.
Go thy way - eat, with gladness, thy food, and drink, with a happy heart, thy wine, - when already God is well pleased with thy works.
Go thy way - eat, with gladness, thy food, and drink, with a happy heart, thy wine, - when already God is well pleased with thy works.
Go thy way - eat, with gladness, thy food, and drink, with a happy heart, thy wine, - when already God is well pleased with thy works. Continually, let thy garments be white, - and, ointment upon thy bead, let it not be lacking.
Continually, let thy garments be white, - and, ointment upon thy bead, let it not be lacking.
Continually, let thy garments be white, - and, ointment upon thy bead, let it not be lacking. Enjoy life, with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity, - for, that, is thy portion in life, and in thy toil wherewith, thou, art toiling under the sun.
Enjoy life, with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity, - for, that, is thy portion in life, and in thy toil wherewith, thou, art toiling under the sun.
Enjoy life, with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity, - for, that, is thy portion in life, and in thy toil wherewith, thou, art toiling under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, - for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, - for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, - for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going.
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, with thy might, do, - for there is no work nor calculation nor knowledge nor wisdom, in hades, whither, thou, art going. I again saw under the sun, that not, to the swift, was the race, nor, to the strong, the battle, nay! nor, to the wise, food, nor yet, to the intelligent, riches, nor, even to the well-informed, comeliness, - for, time and accident, happened to them all.
I again saw under the sun, that not, to the swift, was the race, nor, to the strong, the battle, nay! nor, to the wise, food, nor yet, to the intelligent, riches, nor, even to the well-informed, comeliness, - for, time and accident, happened to them all.
The words of a wise man's mouth, are pleasant, - but, the lips of a dullard, will swallow him up:
Cast thy bread-corn, upon the face of the waters, - for, after many days, shalt thou find it: Give a portion to seven, yea even to eight, - for thou canst not know, what there shall be of misfortune, upon the earth. read more. If the clouds be filled with a downpour, upon the earth, will they empty themselves, and, if a tree fall in the south or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there will it be found. He that observeth the wind, will not sow, - and, he that watcheth the clouds, will not reap. Just as thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, when the body is in the womb of her that is with child, even, so, canst thou not know the work of God, who maketh all.
Just as thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, when the body is in the womb of her that is with child, even, so, canst thou not know the work of God, who maketh all. In the morning, sow thy seed, and, until evening, do not withhold thy hand, - for thou knowest not - whether shall thrive, either this or that, or whether, both alike, shall be fruitful. read more. Truly sweet is the light, - and, pleasant to the eyes, to see the sun:
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart gladden thee in the days of thine early manhood, and walk thou - in the ways of thine own heart, and in that which is seen by thine own eyes, - yet know, that, for all these things, will God bring thee into judgment.
Yet remember thy Creator, in the days of thy vigour, - or ever come in, the days of discomfort, and the years arrive, in which thou shalt say - I have, in them, no pleasure;
Yet remember thy Creator, in the days of thy vigour, - or ever come in, the days of discomfort, and the years arrive, in which thou shalt say - I have, in them, no pleasure; Or ever be darkened - the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, - and the clouds return after a downpour of rain;
And the dust return to the earth, as it was, - and, the spirit, return unto God, who gave it.
Besides that, the Proclaimer being wise, - still further taught knowledge unto the people, and weighed and searched, arranged proverbs in abundance.
The conclusion of the matter - the whole, let us hear, - Towards God, be reverent, and, his commandments, observe, for, this, concerneth all mankind.
The conclusion of the matter - the whole, let us hear, - Towards God, be reverent, and, his commandments, observe, for, this, concerneth all mankind.
The conclusion of the matter - the whole, let us hear, - Towards God, be reverent, and, his commandments, observe, for, this, concerneth all mankind.
The conclusion of the matter - the whole, let us hear, - Towards God, be reverent, and, his commandments, observe, for, this, concerneth all mankind. For, every work, will God bring into judgment, with every hidden thing, - whether good, or evil.
For, every work, will God bring into judgment, with every hidden thing, - whether good, or evil.
For, every work, will God bring into judgment, with every hidden thing, - whether good, or evil.
For, every work, will God bring into judgment, with every hidden thing, - whether good, or evil.
Let, every valley, be exalted, And every mountain and hill, be made low, - And, the steep ground become, level, And, the chain of hills - a plain:
Do not keep in mind former things, - And things of old, do not consider: Behold me! doing a new thing, Now, shall it spring forth, Will ye not take note thereof? Surely I will set In the desert, a way, In a desolate land, rivers:
So shall nations see thy righteousness, And all kings, thy glory; And thou shalt be called by a new name, which, the mouth of Yahweh, will name.
For, behold me! Creating new heavens, and a new earth, - And the former shall not be mentioned, neither shall they come up on the heart,
Shalt thou reign, because, thou, art eager to excel in cedar? Thy father, did lie not eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness, And, then, it was well with him?
Lo! days are coming, Declareth Yahweh, - When I will solemnize - With the house of Israel and With the house of Judah, A new covenant:
And I will give them another heart, And a new spirit, will I put within you, - And will take away the heart of stone out of their e flesh, and give them a heart of flesh:
Cast off from you all your transgressions which ye have committed against me, And make you a new heart; And a new spirit,- For why should ye die, O house of Israel?
Immediately, the word, was fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar, and, from among men, was he driven forth, and, grass - like oxen, did he eat, and, with the dew of the heavens, his body was drenched, - until that, his hair, like to eagles' feathers, was grown, and his nails, like birds' claws.
At the same time, mine understanding, returned unto me, and, for the dignity of my kingdom, my majesty and my brightness, returned unto me, and, unto me, my nearest friends and my nobles, did seek, - and, over my kingdom, was I restored, and, surpassing greatness, was added unto me.
Then, they who revered Yahweh, conversed, one with another, - and Yahweh hearkened, and heard, and there was written a book of remembrance before him, for them who revered Yahweh, and for such as thought of his Name.
Happy, the destitute, in spirit; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens; Happy, they who mourn; for, they, shall be comforted:
And, being at prayer, use not vain repetitions, just like the nations, - for they think, that, in their much speaking, they shall be hoard;
Be not laying up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where, moth and rust, do tarnish, and where, thieves, dig through and steal; but be laying up or yourselves treasures in heaven, where, neither moth nor rust, doth tarnish, and where, thieves, dig not through nor steal: read more. for, where, thy treasure, is, there, will be, thy heart also. The lamp of the body, is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body, shall be, lighted up; But, if thine eye be, evil, thy whole body, shall be, in the dark; - if therefore, the light which is in thee, is, darkness, the darkness, how great! No one, unto two masters, can be in service; for either, the one, he will hate, and, the other ,love, or, one, he will hold to, and, the other, despise: Ye cannot be in service, unto God, and, unto Riches.
No one, unto two masters, can be in service; for either, the one, he will hate, and, the other ,love, or, one, he will hold to, and, the other, despise: Ye cannot be in service, unto God, and, unto Riches. For this cause, I say unto you: Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, - or for your body, what ye shall put on: Is not, the life, more than, the food? And, the body, than, the raiment?
For this cause, I say unto you: Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, - or for your body, what ye shall put on: Is not, the life, more than, the food? And, the body, than, the raiment? Observe intently, the birds of the heaven, - that they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet, your heavenly Father, feedeth, them: Are no, ye, much better than, they?
Observe intently, the birds of the heaven, - that they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and yet, your heavenly Father, feedeth, them: Are no, ye, much better than, they? But who from among you, being anxious, can add to his stature one cubit?
But who from among you, being anxious, can add to his stature one cubit? And, about clothing, why are ye anxious? Consider well the lilies of the field, how they grow, - they toil not neither do they spin;
And, about clothing, why are ye anxious? Consider well the lilies of the field, how they grow, - they toil not neither do they spin; And yet, I say unto you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like, one of these!
And yet, I say unto you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was arrayed like, one of these! Now, if the grass of the field - which to-day, is, and, to-morrow, into an oven, is cast - God thus adorneth, not much rather, you, little of faith?
Now, if the grass of the field - which to-day, is, and, to-morrow, into an oven, is cast - God thus adorneth, not much rather, you, little of faith? Do not then be anxious saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be arrayed?
Do not then be anxious saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be arrayed? For, all these things, the nations, seek after, - for your heavenly Father, knoweth, that ye are needing, all these things.
For, all these things, the nations, seek after, - for your heavenly Father, knoweth, that ye are needing, all these things. But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness, - and, all these things, shall be added unto you.
But be seeking first, the kingdom and its righteousness, - and, all these things, shall be added unto you. Do not, then, be anxious for the morrow; for the morrow, will be anxious, for itself: Sufficient for the day, is the evil thereof.
Do not, then, be anxious for the morrow; for the morrow, will be anxious, for itself: Sufficient for the day, is the evil thereof.
For what shall a man be profited, though, the whole world, he gain, and, his life, he forfeit? Or what shall a man give, in exchange for his life?
For this cause, lo! I, send unto you, prophets and wise men and scribes, - some from among them, ye will slay and crucify, And some from among them ye will - scourge in your synagogues, and pursue from city to city: That there may come upon you - all righteous blood poured out upon the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous, unto the blood of Zachariah, son of Barachiah, whom ye murdered between the Temple and the altar. read more. Verily, I say unto you - All these things, will have come, upon this generation. Jerusalem! Jerusalem! that slayeth the prophets, and stoneth them that have been sent unto her, - how often, would I have gathered thy children, like as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, - and ye would not!
For this cause, the Wisdom of God hath said - I will send forth, unto them, prophets and apostles, - and, some from among them, will they slay, and, some persecute:
But God said unto him - Simple one! on this very night, they are asking, thy soul, from thee; The things, then, which thou hast prepared, whose shall they be?
The spirit, where it pleaseth, doth breathe, and, the sound thereof, thou hearest; but knowest not, whence it cometh and whither it goeth: Thus, is every one who hath been born of the spirit.
We must needs be working the works of him that sent me, while it is, day: There cometh a night, when, no one, can work.
We must needs be working the works of him that sent me, while it is, day: There cometh a night, when, no one, can work.
Much, every way: - First, indeed, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
If, after the manner of men, I have fought with wild-beasts at Ephesus, what, to me, the profit? If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for, tomorrow, we die. Be not deceiving yourselves, - evil communications corrupt gentle manners: -
For, unto me - living, is Christ, and, dying, gain. But, if living in flesh, is Christ , this, unto me, is a fruit of work, - and, what I shall choose, I make not known: read more. I am held in constraint, however, by reason of the two, - having, the coveting, to be released, and to be with, Christ, for it were far better!
For nothing, be anxious, but, in everything, by your prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let, your petitions, be made known unto God; And, the peace of God, which riseth above every mind, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.
Your discourse being always with benefit, with salt, seasoned, - that ye may know how it behoveth you, unto each one, to be making answer.
But hath now been made manifest through means of the forthshining of our Saviour Christ Jesus, - Who, indeed, hath abolished death, and hath thrown light upon life and incorruptibility, through means of the glad-message:
All they who are with me salute thee. Salute thou them who regard us with faithful affection. Favour, be with you all.
Ye know, my brethren beloved, - but let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,