Category Archives: ECCLESIASTES

The Futility of All Endeavors 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless–a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].” 3 What advantage does man […]

The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions 1 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasureandgratification; so enjoy yourselfandhave a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness). 2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I explored with my mind how […]

A Time for Everything 1 There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delightandeventorpurpose under heaven– 2 A time to be born and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. 3 A time to kill and a time to heal; […]

The Evils of Oppression 1 Then I looked againandconsidered all the acts of oppression that were being practiced under the sun. And beholdI sawthe tears of the oppressed and they had no one to comfort them; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they had no one to comfort them. 2 So […]

Your Attitude Toward God 1 Guard your stepsandfocus on what you are doing as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the [careless or irreverent] sacrifice of fools; for they are too ignorant to know they are doing evil. 2 Do not be hasty with your […]

The Futility of Life 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the powerorcapacity to enjoy […]

Wisdom and Folly Contrasted 1 A good name is better than precious perfume, And the day of one’s death better than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting, For that [day of death] is the end of every […]

Obey Rulers 1 Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines his face, And causes his stern face to beam. 2 I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him]. 3 […]

Men Are in the Hand of God 1 For I have taken all this to heart, exploringandexamining it all, how the righteous (those in right standing with God) and the wise and their deeds are in the hands of God. No man knows whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. 2 It […]

A Little Foolishness 1 Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heartturns himtoward the right [which is the way of blessing], but a fool’s heartturns himtoward the left [which is the way […]