Day 51: Proverbs 24–31; Ecclesiastes 1–6

1Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.

2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

3Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man ^ais strong; yea, a man of knowledge ^bincreaseth strength.

6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

7Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate.

8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.

10If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is ^csmall.

11If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

13My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet ^dto thy taste:

14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.

15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

16For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

18Lest the LORD see it, and ^eit displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19^fFret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the ^gcandle of the wicked shall be put out.

21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with ^hthem that are given to change:

22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

23These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and ⁱa good blessing shall come upon them.

26Every man shall kiss his lips ^jthat giveth a right answer.

27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.

29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

32Then I saw, and ^kconsidered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.

33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:

34So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; ^land thy want as an armed man.

1These are also proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.

2It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

3The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings ^ais unsearchable.

4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.

5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.

6^bPut not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

7For better it is 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.

8Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not ^ca secret to another:

10Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

11A word ^dfitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

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.

14Whoso boasteth himself ^eof a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

17^fWithdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be ^gweary of thee, and so hate thee.

18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.

20As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

22For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.

23The north wind ^hdriveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

25As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

26A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.

28He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

1As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool.

2As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.

3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back.

4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own ^aconceit.

6He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh ^bdamage.

7The legs of the lame ^care not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

8As he that ^dbindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool.

9As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

10^eThe great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

11As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool ^freturneth to his folly.

12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

14As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.

15The slothful hideth his hand in his bosom; ^git grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.

16The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

17He that passeth by, and ^hmeddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

18As a mad man who casteth ⁱfirebrands, arrows, and death,

19So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

20^jWhere no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no ^ktalebearer, the strife ^lceaseth.

21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

22The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the ^minnermost parts of the belly.

23Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.

24He that hateth ⁿdissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

25When he ^ospeaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26Whose hatred is covered ^pby deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.

27Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

28A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

1Boast not thyself of ^ato morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

3A stone is ^bheavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

4^cWrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before ^denvy?

5Open rebuke is better than secret love.

6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are ^edeceitful.

7The full soul ^floatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

8As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.

9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend ^gby hearty counsel.

10Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.

11My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me.

12A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

13Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.

14He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

15A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.

16Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself.

17Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

18Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

19As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.

20Hell and destruction are ^hnever full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

21As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.

22Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him.

23Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and ⁱlook well to thy herds.

24For ^jriches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure ^kto every generation?

25The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.

26The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.

27And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the ^lmaintenance for thy maidens.

1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but ^aby a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain ^bwhich leaveth no food.

4They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that ^cis a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

8He that by usury and ^dunjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

10Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

11The rich man is wise in his ^eown conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is ^fhidden.

13He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

20A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be ^ginnocent.

21To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

22He that ^hhasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of ⁱa destroyer.

25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

26He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

1^aHe, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2When the righteous are ^bin authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

3Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but ^che that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

5A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

6In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

8Scornful men ^dbring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10^eThe bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

11A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

12If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

13The poor and ^fthe deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.

14The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

15The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

16When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

17Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18Where there is no vision, the people ^gperish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his ^hwords? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

21He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

23A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be ⁱsafe.

26Many seek ^jthe ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the LORD.

27An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

2Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.

3I neither learned wisdom, nor ^ahave the knowledge of the holy.

4Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

5Every word of God is ^bpure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

6Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7Two things have I required of thee; ^cdeny me them not before I die:

8Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food ^dconvenient for me:

9Lest I be full, and ^edeny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

10^fAccuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

11There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

13There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

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.

15The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, ^gIt is enough:

16The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of ^hthe valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

18There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

19The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the ⁱmidst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

20Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

21For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

22For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are ^jexceeding wise:

25The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them ^kby bands;

28The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

29There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:

30A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

31A ^lgreyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

33Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and ^apervert the judgment ^bof any of the afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be ^cof heavy hearts.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all ^dsuch as are appointed to destruction.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and ^ebuyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18^fShe perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20^gShe stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with ^hscarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters ⁱhave done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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

2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

5The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and ^ahasteth to his place where he arose.

6The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.

7All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they ^breturn again.

8All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

11There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

12I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man ^cto be exercised therewith.

14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

15That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and ^dthat which is wanting cannot be numbered.

16I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart ^ehad great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

17And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.

18For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

1I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.

2I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?

3I sought in mine heart ^ato give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven ^ball the days of their life.

4I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

5I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

6I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

7I got me servants and maidens, and had ^cservants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

8I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as ^dmusical instruments, and that of all sorts.

9So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

10And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

12And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what can the man do that cometh after the king? ^eeven that which hath been already done.

13Then I saw ^fthat wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

14The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it ^ghappeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

16For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

17Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

18Yea, I hated all my labour which I had ^htaken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

20Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he ⁱleave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

22For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

23For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

24There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he ^jshould make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

25For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?

26For God giveth to a man that is good ^kin his sight 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 is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time ^ato be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time ^bto refrain from embracing;

6A time to ^cget, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

15That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth ^dthat which is past.

16And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

17I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

18I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, ^ethat God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

20All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21Who knoweth the spirit ^fof man that ^ggoeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

22Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

1So I returned, and considered 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 ^aside of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

3Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

4Again, I considered all travail, and ^bevery right work, that ^cfor this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

9Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

11Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

12And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, ^dwho will no more be admonished.

14For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

15I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

1Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

2Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any ^athing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

3For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

5Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

6Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

7For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

8If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not ^bat the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

13There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

14But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

15As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

16And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

18Behold that which I have seen: ^cit is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun ^dall the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

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 labour; this is the gift of God.

20^eFor he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

2A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

4For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

5Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

6Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

7All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the ^aappetite is not filled.

8For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

9Better is the sight of the eyes ^bthan the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, ^call 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?