24:1Be not thou envious against evil men; Neither desire to be with them: 24:2For their heart studieth oppression, And their lips talk of mischief. 24:3Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established; 24:4And by knowledge are the chambers filled With all precious and pleasant riches. 24:5A wise man is strong; Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might 24:6For by wise guidance thou shalt make thy war; And in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 24:7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate. 24:8He that deviseth to do evil, Men shall call him a mischief-maker. 24:9The thought of foolishness is sin; And the scoffer is an abomination to men. 24:10If thou faint in the day of adversity, Thy strength is small. 24:11Deliver them that are carried away unto death, And those that are ready to be slain see that thou hold back. 24:12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew not this; Doth not he that weigheth the hearts consider it? And he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? And shall not he render to every man according to his work? 24:13My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste: 24:14So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off. 24:15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: 24:16For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 24:17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown; 24:18Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him. 24:19Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked: 24:20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 24:21My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change: 24:22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it? 24:23These also are [sayings] of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good. 24:24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him: 24:25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them. 24:26He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer. 24:27Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house. 24:28Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips. 24:29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work. 24:30I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 24:31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down. 24:32Then I beheld, and considered well; I saw, and received instruction: 24:33[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep; 24:34So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.
25:1These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. 25:2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 25:3As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable. 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, And there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner: 25:5Take away the wicked [from] before the king, And his throne shall be established in righteousness. 25:6Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men: 25:7For better is it that it be said unto thee, Come up hither, Than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, Whom thine eyes have seen. 25:8Go not forth hastily to strive, Lest [thou know not] what to do in the end thereof, When thy neighbor hath put thee to shame. 25:9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor [himself], And disclose not the secret of another; 25:10Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away. 25:11A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver. 25:12[As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. 25:13As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, [So is] a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters. 25:14[As] clouds and wind without rain, [So is] he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely. 25:15By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone. 25:16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. 25:17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor`s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee. 25:18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. 25:19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. 25:20[As] one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. 25:21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 25:22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee. 25:23The north wind bringeth forth rain: So doth a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 25:25[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far country. 25:26[As] a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, [So is] a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. 25:27It is not good to eat much honey: So [for men] to search out their own glory is grievous. 25:28He whose spirit is without restraint Is [like] a city that is broken down and without walls.
26:1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not seemly for a fool. 26:2As the sparrow in her wandering, as the swallow in her flying, So the curse that is causeless alighteth not. 26:3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools. 26:4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him. 26:5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit. 26:6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool Cutteth off [his own] feet, [and] drinketh in damage. 26:7The legs of the lame hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 26:8As one that bindeth a stone in a sling, So is he that giveth honor to a fool. 26:9[As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools. 26:10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by. 26:11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly. 26:12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 26:13The sluggard saith, There is a lion in the way; A lion is in the streets. 26:14[As] the door turneth upon its hinges, So doth the sluggard upon his bed. 26:15The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish; It wearieth him to bring it again to his mouth. 26:16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit Than seven men that can render a reason. 26:17He that passeth by, [and] vexeth himself with strife belonging not to him, Is [like] one that taketh a dog by the ears. 26:18As a madman who casteth firebrands, Arrows, and death, 26:19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, And saith, Am not I in sport? 26:20For lack of wood the fire goeth out; And where there is no whisperer, contention ceaseth. 26:21[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to inflame strife. 26:22The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts. 26:23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 26:24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him: 26:25When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart: 26:26Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly. 26:27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him. 26:28A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
27:1Boast not thyself of tomorrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. 27:2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; A stranger, and not thine own lips. 27:3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool`s vexation is heavier than they both. 27:4Wrath is cruel, and anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy? 27:5Better is open rebuke Than love that is hidden. 27:6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; But the kisses of an enemy are profuse. 27:7The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; But to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. 27:8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, So is a man that wandereth from his place. 27:9Oil and perfume rejoice the heart; So doth the sweetness of a man`s friend [that cometh] of hearty counsel. 27:10Thine own friend, and thy father`s friend, forsake not; And go not to thy brother`s house in the day of thy calamity: Better is a neighbor that is near than a brother far off. 27:11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, That I may answer him that reproacheth me. 27:12A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it. 27:13Take his garment that is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [that is surety] for a foreign woman. 27:14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It shall be counted a curse to him. 27:15A continual dropping in a very rainy day And a contentious woman are alike: 27:16He that would restrain her restraineth the wind; And his right hand encountereth oil. 27:17Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 27:18Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; And he that regardeth his master shall be honored. 27:19As in water face [answereth] to face, So the heart of man to man. 27:20Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; And the eyes of man are never satisfied. 27:21The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; And a man is [tried] by his praise. 27:22Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with bruised grain, Yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 27:23Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, [And] look well to thy herds: 27:24For riches are not for ever: And doth the crown endure unto all generations? 27:25The hay is carried, and the tender grass showeth itself, And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in. 27:26The lambs are for thy clothing, And the goats are the price of the field; 27:27And [there will be] goats` milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, And maintenance for thy maidens.
28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth; But the righteous are bold as a lion. 28:2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof; But by men of understanding [and] knowledge the state [thereof] shall be prolonged. 28:3A needy man that oppresseth the poor Is [like] a sweeping rain which leaveth no food. 28:4They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them. 28:5Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things. 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, Than he that is perverse in [his] ways, though he be rich. 28:7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father. 28:8He that augmenteth his substance by interest and increase, Gathereth it for him that hath pity on the poor. 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. 28:10Whoso causeth the upright to go astray in an evil way, He shall fall himself into his own pit; But the perfect shall inherit good. 28:11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; But the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 28:12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. 28:13He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy. 28:14Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 28:15[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people. 28:16The prince that lacketh understanding is also a great oppressor; [But] he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 28:17A man that is laden with the blood of any person Shall flee unto the pit; let no man stay him. 28:18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be delivered; But he that is perverse in [his] ways shall fall at once. 28:19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread; But he that followeth after vain [persons] shall have poverty enough. 28:20A faithful man shall abound with blessings; But he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be unpunished. 28:21To have respect of persons is not good; Neither that a man should transgress for a piece of bread. 28:22he that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches, And knoweth not that want shall come upon him. 28:23He that rebuketh a man shall afterward find more favor Than he that flattereth with the tongue. 28:24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression, The same is the companion of a destroyer. 28:25He that is of a greedy spirit stirreth up strife; But he that putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be made fat. 28:26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. 28:27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; But he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. 28:28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; But when they perish, the righteous increase.
29:1He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 29:2When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. 29:3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth [his] substance. 29:4The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it. 29:5A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. 29:6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 29:7The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know [it]. 29:8Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath. 29:9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. 29:10The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life. 29:11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. 29:12If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked. 29:13The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both. 29:14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever. 29:15The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother. 29:16When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall. 29:17Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul. 29:18Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 29:19A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed. 29:20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 29:21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. 29:22An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression. 29:23A man`s pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor. 29:24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing. 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe. 29:26Many seek the ruler`s favor; But a man`s judgment [cometh] from Jehovah. 29:27An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
30:1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; The oracle. The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal: 30:2Surely I am more brutish than any man, And have not the understanding of a man; 30:3And I have not learned wisdom, Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy One. 30:4Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son`s name, if thou knowest? 30:5Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. 30:6Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 30:7Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me [them] not before I die: 30:8Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: 30:9Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God. 30:10Slander not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty. 30:11There is a generation that curse their father, And bless not their mother. 30:12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And [yet] are not washed from their filthiness. 30:13There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 30:14There is a generation whose teeth are [as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. 30:15The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, [Yea], four that say not, Enough: 30:16Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough. 30:17The eye that mocketh at his father, And despiseth to obey his mother, The ravens of the valley shall pick it out, And the young eagles shall eat it. 30:18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not: 30:19The way of an eagle in the air; The way of a serpent upon a rock; The way of a ship in the midst of the sea; And the way of a man with a maiden. 30:20So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness. 30:21For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear: 30:22For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food; 30:23For an odious woman when she is married; And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. 30:24There are four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise: 30:25The ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their food in the summer; 30:26The conies are but a feeble folk, Yet make they their houses in the rocks; 30:27The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; 30:28The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings` palaces. 30:29There are three things which are stately in their march, Yea, four which are stately in going: 30:30The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, And turneth not away for any; 30:31The greyhound; the he-goat also; And the king against whom there is no rising up. 30:32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, [Lay] thy hand upon thy mouth. 30:33For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
31:1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 31:2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 31:3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink? 31:5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted. 31:6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: 31:7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. 31:8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate. 31:9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. 31:10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. 31:11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. 31:12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life. 31:13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands. 31:14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. 31:15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens. 31:16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 31:17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms. 31:18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night. 31:19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 31:20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 31:22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 31:23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. 31:24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. 31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 31:27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. 31:28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]: 31:29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. 31:30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
Ecclesiastes
1:1The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 1:2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. 1:3What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? 1:4One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever. 1:5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. 1:6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits. 1:7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again. 1:8All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 1:9That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 1:10Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us. 1:11There is no remembrance of the former [generations]; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter [generations] that are to come, among those that shall come after. 1:12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 1:13And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. 1:15That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. 1:16I communed with mine own hear, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 1:17And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind. 1:18For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
2:1I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity. 2:2I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it? 2:3I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life. 2:4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; 2:5I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit; 2:6I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared; 2:7I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem; 2:8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 2:9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 2:10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor. 2:11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. 2:12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what [can] the man [do] that cometh after the king? [even] that which hath been done long ago. 2:13Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. 2:14The wise man`s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all. 2:15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity. 2:16For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool! 2:17So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind. 2:18And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 2:19And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 2:20Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun. 2:21For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 2:22For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun? 2:23For all his days are [but] sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. 2:24There 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. 2:25For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? 2:26For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
3:1For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven: 3:2a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3:3a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 3:4a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 3:5a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 3:6a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 3:7a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 3:8a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 3:9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? 3:10I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 3:11He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. 3:12I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. 3:13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. 3:14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. 3:15That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away. 3:16And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 3:17I 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. 3:18I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts. 3:19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. 3:20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 3:21Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth? 3:22Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?
4:1Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 4:2Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; 4:3yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4:4Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 4:5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 4:6Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind. 4:7Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 4:8There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. 4:9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 4:10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. 4:11Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]? 4:12And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 4:13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. 4:14For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor. 4:15I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. 4:16There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
5:1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. 5:2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 5:3For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool`s voice with a multitude of words. 5:4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest. 5:5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. 5:6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that is was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? 5:7For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God. 5:8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they. 5:9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field. 5:10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. 5:11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding [of them] with his eyes? 5:12The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 5:13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt: 5:14and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 5:15As 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. 5:16And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind? 5:17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath. 5:18Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion. 5:19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God. 5:20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart.
6:1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 6:2a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 6:3If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he: 6:4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 6:5moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other: 6:6yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place? 6:7All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 6:8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living? 6:9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. 6:10Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he. 6:11Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 6:12For who knoweth what is good for man in [his] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
7:1A [good] name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one`s birth. 7:2It 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 will lay it to his heart. 7:3Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. 7:4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 7:5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 7:6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7:7Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. 7:8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; [and] the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 7:9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 7:10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. 7:11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 7:12For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. 7:13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 7:14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything [that shall be] after him. 7:15All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth [his life] in his evil-doing. 7:16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 7:17Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 7:18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all. 7:19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. 7:20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 7:21Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; 7:22for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. 7:23All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 7:24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out? 7:25I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness. 7:26And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, [and] whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 7:27Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account; 7:28which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 7:29Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
8:1Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man`s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 8:2I [counsel thee], Keep the king`s command, and that in regard of the oath of God. 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 8:4For the king`s word [hath] power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? 8:5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man`s heart discerneth time and judgment: 8:6for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him: 8:7for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be? 8:8There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. 8:9All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt. 8:10So I saw the wicked buried, and they came [to the grave]; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity. 8:11Because 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. 8:12Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him: 8:13but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 8:14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. 8:15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun. 8:16When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes), 8:17then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
9:1For 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 be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them. 9:2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. 9:3This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea 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. 9:4For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 9:5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 9:6As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun. 9:7Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. 9:8Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil. 9:9Live joyfully with the 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 labor wherein thou laborest under the sun. 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest. 9:11I 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 happeneth to them all. 9:12For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes 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 falleth suddenly upon them. 9:13I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me: 9:14There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. 9:15Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 9:16Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man`s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. 9:17The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 9:18Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
10:1Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. 10:2A wise man`s heart is at his right hand; but a fool`s heart at his left. 10:3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool. 10:4If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences. 10:5There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 10:6folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 10:7I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth. 10:8He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. 10:9Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. 10:10If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 10:11If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. 10:12The words of a wise man`s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 10:13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 10:14A fool also multiplieth words: [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? 10:15The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city. 10:16Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 10:17Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 10:18By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. 10:19A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things. 10:20Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.
11:1Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. 11:2Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 11:3If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. 11:4He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 11:5As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all. 11:6In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. 11:7Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. 11:8Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 11:9Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 11:10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.