8 All things are hard : man cannot explains 8 I heaped together for myself silver and them by word. The eye is not filled with gold, and the wealth of kings, and provinseeing, neither is the ear filled with hear ces: I made me singing men, and singing ing. women, and the delights of the sons of men, 9 What is it that hath been? the same cups and vessels to serve to pour out wine: thing that shall be. What is it that hath been 9 And I surpassed in riches all that were done? the same that shall be done. before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom also 10 Nothing under the sun is new: nei-remained with me. ther is any man able to say: Behold, this is 10 And whatsoever my eyes desired, I new: for it hath already gone before, in the||refused them not: and I withheld not my ages that were before us. heart from enjoying every pleasure, and delighting itself in the things which I had prepared; and esteemed this my portion, to make use of my own labour. 11 There is no remembrance of former things: nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, shall there be any remembrance with them that shall be in the latter end. 12 I Ecclesiastes was king over Israel in Jerusalem: 11 And when I turned myself to all the works which my hands had wrought, and to the labours wherein I had laboured in vain, I saw in all things vanity, and vexa13 And I proposed in my mind to seek tion of mind, and that nothing was lasting and search out wisely concerning all things under the sun. that are done under the sun. This painful 12 I passed further to behold wisdom, occupation hath God given to the children and errors, and folly : (What is man, said I, of men, to be exercised therein. that he can follow the king his master?) : 14 I have seen all things that are done|| 13 And I saw that wisdom excelled folly, under the sun and behold, all is vanity, as much as light differeth from darkness. and vexation of spirit. 14 The eyes of a wise man are in his 15 The perverse are hard to be correct-head: the fool walketh in darkness: and I ed: and the number of fools is infinite. learned that they were to die both alike. 16 I have spoken in my heart, saying: 15 And I said in my heart: If the death Behold, I am become great, and have gone of the fool and mine shall be one, what doth beyond all in wisdom, that were before me it avail me, that I have applied myself more in Jerusalem: and my mind hath contem-to the study of wisdom ? And speaking with plated many things wisely, and I have my own mind, I perceived that this also was learned. vanity. : 17 And I have given my heart to know 16 For there shall be no remembrance of prudence, and learning, and errors, and the wise no more than of the fool for ever: folly and I have perceived that in these and the times to come shall cover all things also there was labour, and vexation of spirit; together with oblivion: the learned dieth 18 Because in much wisdom there is in like manner as the unlearned. much indignation: and he that addeth know-|| ledge, addeth also labour. CHAP. II. The vanity of pleasures, riches, and worldly|| labours. 17 And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Again I hated all my application wherewith I had earnestly laboured under SAID in my heart; I will go, and abound the sun; being like to have an heir after with delights, and enjoy good things. me, And I saw that this also was vanity. 19. Whom I know not whether he will be 2 Laughter I counted error: and to a wise man or a fool: and he shall have rule mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?over all my labours with which I have la3 I thought in my heart, to withdraw my boured and been solicitous: and is there flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind any thing so vain? to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life. : 4 I made me great works: I built me houses, and planted vineyards: 5 I made gardens and orchards, and set them with trees of all kinds : 20 Wherefore I left off, and my heart renounced labouring any more under the sun. 21 For when a man laboureth in wisdom, and knowledge, and carefulness, he leaveth what he hath gotten to an idle man: so this also is vanity, and a great evil. 22 For what profit shall a man have of all his labour, and vexation of spirit, with 6 And I made me ponds of water, to wa-which he hath been tormented under the ter therewith the wood of the young trees:sun? 7 I got me men servants, and maid ser- 23 All his days are full of sorrows and vants; and had a great family, and herds of miseries: even in the night he doth not rest oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all in mind and is not this vanity? that were before me in Jerusalem: 24 Is it not better to eat and drink, and to shew his soul good things of his labours?||of men, that God would prove them, and and this is from the hand of God. shew them to be like beasts. 25 Who shall so feast and abound with| 19 Therefore the death of man, and of delights as I? beasts is one; and the condition of them 26 God hath given to a man that is good both is equal: as man dieth, so they also in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and die: all things breathe alike; and man hath joy: but to the sinner he hath given vexa-nothing more than beast: all things are tion, and superfluous care, to heap up and subject to vanity, to gather together, and to give it to him 20 And all things go to one place: of that hath pleased God: but this also is van-earth they were made, and into earth they ity, and a fruitless solicitude of the mind. return together. CHAP. III. All human things are liable to perpetual changes. We are to rest on God's providence, and cast away fruitless cares. 21 Who knoweth† if the spirit of the spirit of the beasts descend downward? children of Adam ascend upward, and if the 22 And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work; LL things have their season: and in and that this is his portion. For who shall A know that be ven. 2 A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that|| which is planted. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. 5 A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces. after him? CHAP. IV. Other instances of human miseries. TURNED myself to other things; and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent; and they had no comforter: and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any. 2 And I praised the dead rather than the Aliving. A 6 A time to get, and a time to lose. time to keep, and a time to cast away. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew. time to keep silence, and a time to speak. 8 A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace. 3 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun. 4 Again I considered all the labours of men and I remarked that their industries 9 What hath man more of his labour? are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: 10 I have seen the trouble, which God so in this also there is vanity and fruitless hath given the sons of men, to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration; so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end. care. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying: 6 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind. 7 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun: : 12 And I have known that there was no 8 There is but one, and he hath not a sebetter thing than to rejoice, and to do well cond, no child, no brother and yet he in his life. ceaseth not to labour; neither are his eyes 13 For every man that eateth and drink-satisfied with riches; neither doth he reeth, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God. 14 I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared. flect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation. 9 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: 10 If one fall, he shall be supported by * Man hath nothing more, &c. viz. as to the life of the body. 15 That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past. Who knoweth, &c. viz. experimentally; 16 I saw under the sun in the place of since no one in this life can see a spirit. But judgment wickedness, and in the place of as to the spirit of the beasts which is merely justice iniquity. animal, and becomes extinct by the death 17 And said in my heart: God shall of the beast, who can tell the manner it acts judge both the just and the wicked, and so as to give life and motion, and by death then shall be the time of every thing. to descend downward, that is, to be no 18 I said in my heart concerning the sonsllmore? the other: wo to him that is alone; for when are also many to eat them. And what doti he falleth, he hath none to lift him up. it profit the owner, but that he seeth tie 11 And if two lie together, they shall riches with his eyes? warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed? 12 And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken. 13 Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter. 11 Sleep is sweet to a labouring nan, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep, 12 There is also another grievous evil which I have seen under the sur: riches kept to the hurt of the owner. 13 For they are lost with very great affliction: he hath begotten a son, who shall 14 Because out of prison and chains be in extremity of want. sometimes a man cometh forth to a king- 14 As he came forth naked from his modom and another born king is consumed ther's womb, so shall he return, and shill with poverty. take nothing away with him of his labour. 15 A most deplorable evil: as he came, so shall he return. What then doth it profit him that he hath laboured for the wind? 16 The number of the people, of all that|| 16 All the days of his life he eateth in were before him is infinite: and they that darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in and sorrow. 15 I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place. him but this also is vanity, and vexation of 17 This therefore hath seemed good to spirit. me, that a man should eat, and drink, and 17 Keep thy foot, when thou goest into enjoy the fruit of his labour, wherewith he the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. hath laboured under the sun, all the days of For much better is obedience, than the vic- his life, which God hath given him: and tims of fools, who know not what evil they this is his portion. do. CHAP. V. 18 And every man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and hath given Caution in words. Vows are to be paid. him power to eat thereof, and to enjoy his Riches are often pernicious: the moderate portion, and to rejoice of his labour; this is use of them is the gift of God. the gift of God. PEAK not any thing rashly, and let not SPEA 19 For he shall not much remember the thy heart be hasty to utter a word be-days of his life, because God entertaineth fore God. For God is in heaven, and thou his heart with delight. upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 2 Dreams follow many cares: and in many words shall be found folly. Or if thou hast vowed any thing to God, defer not to pay it for an unfaithful and foolish promise displeaseth him: but whatsoever thou hast vowed, pay it: CHAP. VI. The misery of the covetous man. HERE is also another evil, which I have seen under the sun, and that frequent among men. 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and honour, and his soul 4 And it is much better not to vow, than wanteth nothing of all that he desireth: yet after a vow not to perform the things pro- God doth not give him power to eat there. mised. of, but a stranger shall eat it up. This is 5 Give not thy mouth to cause thy flesh vanity and a great misery. to sin and say not before the angel: There : 3 If a man beget a hundred children, and is no providence: lest God be angry at thy live many years, and attain to a great age, words, and destroy all the works of thy and his soul make no use of the goods of hands. his substance, and he be without burial; of 6 Where there are many dreams, there this man I pronounce, that the untimely are many vanities, and words without num-born is better than he. ber: but do thou fear God. 4 For he came in vain, and goeth to dark7 If thou shalt see the oppressions of the|ness; and his name shall be wholly forgot. poor, and violent judgments, and justice ten. perverted in the province, wonder not at 5 He hath not seen the sun, nor known this matter: for he that is high hath another the distance of good and evil: higher and there are others still higher 6 Although he lived two thousand years, than these. and hath not enjoyed good things: do not 8 Moreover there is the king that reign-all make haste to one place? eth over all the land subject to him. 7 All the labour of man is for his month: 9 A covetous man shall not be satisfied but his soul shall not be filled. with money: and he that loveth riches shall 8 What hath the wise man more than the reap no fruit from them: so this also is fool? and what the poor man, but to go vanity. thither, where there is life? 10 Where there are great riches, there 9 Better it is to see what thou mayst de sire, than to desire that which thou canst my vanity: A just man perisheth it his jusnot know. But this also is vanity, and pre-tice; and a wicked man liveth a long time sumption of spirit. in his wickedness. 10 He that shall be, his name is already 17 Be not over just: and be not more called and it is known, that he is man, wise than is necessary, lest thou become and cannot contend in judgment with him stupid. that is stronger than himself. 18 Be not overmuch wicked :† and be not 11 There are many words that have much foolish, lest thou die before thy time. vanity in disputing. CHAP. VII. Prescriptions against worldly vanities: mortification, patience, and seeking wisdom. WHAT needeth a man to seek things What are above him, whereas he know eth not, what is profitable for him in his life, 19 It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing. more than ten princes of the city. 20 Wisdom hath strengthened the wise 21 For there is no just man upon earth, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that doeth good, and sinneth not. that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell|| 22 But do not apply thy heart to all words him what shall be after him under the sun? that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear 2 A good name is better than precious thy servant reviling thee. ointments; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 23 For thy conscience knoweth, that thou also hast often spoken evil of others. 24 I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise and it departed farther from me. 3 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all; and the living thinketh what is to come. 25 Much more than it was; it is a great 4 Anger is better than laughter: be-depth; who shall find it out? cause by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected. 5 The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth. 6 It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived with the flattery of fools. 26 I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom, and reason; and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent: 27 And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are 7 For as the crackling of thorns burning bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool; from her: but he that is a sinner shall be now this also is vanity. caught by her. 8 Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart. 9 Better is the end of a speech, than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous. I 28 Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that might find out the account, 29 Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thou10 Be not quickly angry: for anger rest-sand I have found: a woman among them eth in the bosom of a fool. all I have not found. 11 Say not: What thinkest thou is the 30 Only this I have found, that God made cause that former times were better than man right; and he hath intangled himself they are now? for this manner of question with an infinity of questions. Who is as the is foolish. wise man? and who hath known the reso 12 Wisdom with riches is more profitable,||lution of the word?‡ and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun. 13 For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them. CHAP. VIII. True wisdom is to observe God's command- THE 14 Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised. 15 In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for * Over just, viz. By an excessive rigour God hath made both the one and the other, in censuring the ways of God in bearing that man may not find against him any just with the wicked. complaint. 16 These things also I saw in the days of Anger. That is, correction, or just wrath and zeal against evil. † Be not overmuch wicked. That is, lest by the greatness of your sin you leave no room for mercy. Of the word. That is, of this obscure and difficult matter. 2 I observe the mouth of the king, and life, which God hath given him under the the commandments of the oath of God. 3 Be not hasty to depart from his face, sun. 16 And I applied my heart to know wis. and do not continue in an evil work: for he dom, and to understand the distraction that will do all that pleaseth him : 4 And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why doest thou so? is upon earth: for there are some that day and night take no sleep with their eyes. 17 And I understood that man can find no reason of all those works of God that are 5 He that keepeth the commandment, done under the sun: and the more he shall shall find no evil. The heart of a wise man labour to seek, so much the less shall he understandeth time and answer. 6 There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man 7 Because he is ignorant of things past: and things to come he cannot know by any messenger. 8 It is not in man's power to stop the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death; neither is he suffered to rest when war is at hand; neither shall wickedness save the wicked. find: yea though the wise man should say, that he knoweth it, he shall not be able to find it, CHAP. IX. Man knows not certainly that he is in God's grace. After death no more work or merit. A LL these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully under. stand them: There are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of 9 All these things I have considered, and God: and yet man knoweth not whether applied my heart to all the works that are he be worthy of love, or hatred: done under the sun. Sometimes one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. 2 But all things are kept uncertain for the time to come; because all things equal. 10 I saw the wicked buried; who also ly happen to the just and to the wicked, to when they were yet living were in the holy the good and to the evil, to the clean and place, and were praised in the city as men to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, of just works: but this also is vanity. 11 For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear. and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner; as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth. 3 This is a very great evil among all 12 But though a sinner do evil a hundred things that are done under the sun, that the times, and by patience be borne withal, I same things happen to all men: whereby know from thence that it shall be well with them that fear God, who dread his face. 13 But let it not be well with the wicked, neither let his days be prolonged: but as a shadow let them pass away that fear not the face of the Lord. also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell. 4 There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion. 14 There is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are just men 5 For the living know that they shall die: to whom evils happen, as though they had but the dead know nothing more,† neither done the works of the wicked; and there have they a reward any more: for the meare wicked men, who are as secure, as mory of them is forgotten. though they had the deeds of the just: but 6 Their love also, and their hatred, and this also I judge most vain. their envy are all perished; neither have 15 Therefore I commended mirth, be-they any part in this world, and in the work cause there was no good for a man* under that is done under the sun. the sun, but to eat, and drink, and be mer- 7 Go then, and eat thy bread with joy, ry and that he should take nothing else and drink thy wine with gladness: because with him of his labour in the days of his thy works please God. 8 At all times let thy garments be white; No good for a man, &c. Some com- and let not oil depart from thy head. mentators think the wise man here speaks 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou in the person of the libertine; representing lovest, all the days of thy unsteady life, the objections of these men against divine providence, and the inferences they draw Know nothing more, viz. As to the tranfrom thence, which he takes care after-sactions of this world, in which they have wards to refute. But it may also be said, now no part, unless it be revealed to them; that his meaning is to commend the mode-neither have they any knowledge or power rate use of the goods of this world, prefer-now of doing any thing to secure their eterably to the cares and solicitudes of world-nal state, (if they have not taken care of it lings, their attachment to vanity and curi-in their life time); nor can they now proosity, and presumptuously diving into the cure themselves any good, as the living alunsearchable ways of divine providence. ways may do, by the grace of God. |