Monthly Archives: July 2017

The Futility of All Endeavor 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” 3 What advantage does man have in all his work Which he does under the sun? 4 A generation goes and a generation comes, […]

The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions 1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. 2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I explored with my mindhowto stimulate my body with wine while […]

The Evils of Oppression 1 Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun. And beholdI sawthe tears of the oppressed andthatthey had no one to comfortthem;and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfortthem. 2 So I congratulated the […]

Your Attitude Toward God 1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in […]

The Futility of Life 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men- 2 a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from […]

Wisdom and Folly Contrasted 1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day ofone’sdeath is better than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is the end of every man, And the […]

Obey Rulers 1 Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam. 2 I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do […]

Men Are in the Hand of God 1 For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whetherit will belove or hatred; anything awaits him. 2 It is the same for all. There is […]

A Little Foolishness 1 Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdomandhonor. 2 A wise man’s heartdirects himtoward the right, but the foolish man’s heartdirects himtoward the left. 3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyonethathe is a […]

Cast Your Bread on the Waters 1 Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth. 3 If the clouds are full, they pour out […]