¶ ECCLESIASTES, or the PREACHER. CHAP. I. HE words of the Preacher, the son of ΤΗ 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 3 I sought in my heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting my 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 all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirl- therewith the wood that bringeth forth eth about continually, and the wind re-trees: turneth again according to his circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me; 8 All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied wi seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings, and of the provinces: Igat me men-singers and 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is women-singers, and the delights of the that which shall be done: and there is no sons of men, as musical instruments, and new thing under the sun. that of all sorts. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. pleasure and behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 12 ¶ I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 Ånd whatsoever mine eyes desired 11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any re-I kept not from them, I withheld not my membrance of things that are to come with heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced those that shall come after. in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that 13 And I gave my heart to seek and my hands had wrought, and on the labour search out by wisdom concerning all things that I had laboured to do: and behold, all that are done under heaven: this sore was vanity and vexation of spirit, and travail hath God given to the sons of man there was no profit under the sun. to be exercised therewith. : 12 And 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 already done. 13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight and that which is wanting folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. cannot be numbered. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his 16 I communed with mine own heart, head; but the fool walketh in darkness: saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and and I'myself perceived also that one event have gotten more wisdom than all they happeneth to them all. that have been before me in Jerusalem: 15 Then said I in my heart, As it hapyea, my heart had great experience of wis- peneth to the fool, so it happeneth even dom and knowledge. to me; and why was I then more wise? 17 And I gave my heart to know wis-Then I said in my heart, that this also is dom, and to know madness and folly: Ivanity. perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 16 For there is no remembrance of the 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: wise more than of the fool for ever; seeand he that increaseth knowledge in- ing that which now is in the days to come creaseth sorrow. shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. CHAP. II. I SAID in my heart, Goherefore enjoy 17 Therefore I hated life; because the prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy work that is wrought under the sun is The vanity of human labour. ECCLESIASTES. Of vanity, oppression, &c. grievous unto me for all is vanity and in his time: also he hath set the world in vexation of spirit. their heart, so that no man can find out the 18 ¶ Yea, I hated all my labour which work that God maketh from the beginning I had taken under the sun: because I to the end. should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 19 And 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. 20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which took under the sun. 21 For 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 leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto more than I? 19 For 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 pre-eminence above beast: for all is vanity. a 26 For God giveth to a man that is good in 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. CHAP. III. 20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour; it is the gift of God. 14 I 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. 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past. 16 ¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 17 I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is time there for every purpose and for every work. a 18 I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. T O every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 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; 22 Wherefore 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? CHAP. IV. 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; NO 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; returned, and considered all the a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 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. 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 10 I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 He hath made every thing beautiful 4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful with quietness, Vanities in divine service. CHAP. V, VI. The vanity of riches. than both the hands full with travail and poor, and violent perverting of judgment vexation of spirit. and justice in a marvel not 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity the matter: for he that is higher than the under the sun. highest regardeth; and there be higher 8 There is one alone, and there is not a than they. second; yea, he hath neither child nor 9 brother: yet is there no end of all his la-for bour; neither is his eye satisfied with field. riches: neither saith he, For whom do I 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satislabour, and bereave my soul of good? fied with silver; nor he that loveth abunThis is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. dance with increase: this is also vanity. 9 Two are better than one; because 11 When goods increase, they are inthey have a good reward for their labour. creased that eat them: and what good is 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up there to the owners thereof, saving the behis fellow but wo to him that is alone holding of them with their eyes? when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. : 12 The 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. 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. 15 As 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. 16 And 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? 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. 18 T Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his la 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 Better is a poor and a wise child, than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There 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. CHAP. V. EEP thy foot when thou goest to the Moreover, the profit of the earth is : the king himself is served by the days of his life, which God giveth him : for it is his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter any thing given riches and wealth, and hath given before God: for God is in heaven, and him power to eat thereof, and to take his thou upon earth: therefore let thy words portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this be few. is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart. CHAP. VI. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. HERE is an evil which I have seen 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. 5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, not pay. wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth under the sun, and it is common among men: 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, to sin; neither say thou before the angel, yet God giveth him not power to eat therethat it was an error: wherefore should of, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity," God be angry at thy voice, and destroy and it is an evil disease. the work of thy hands? 7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God. If thou seest the oppression of the 3 If a man beget a 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 noburial; 1 say, that an untimely birth is better than he 8 Remedies against vanity ECCLESIASTES. Difficulty of getting wisdom 4 For he cometh in with vanity, and de-ledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them parteth in darkness, and his name shall be that have it. covered with darkness. 5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other. 13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him. 6 Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seer. no good: do not all go to one place? 7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than wickedness. the wandering of the desire this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 10 Thathich hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he. 11 T Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this 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? 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his 16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all. CHAP. VII. A GOOD name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 2 T It is better to go to the house of 22 For oftentimes also thine own heart mourning, than to go to the house of feast-knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast ing for that is the end of all men; and cursed others. the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. 20 For there is not a just man upor earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21 Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 23¶ All this have I proved by wisdom: Isaid, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out? 25 I applied my heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and mad 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of ness: fools: 26 And I find more bitter than death 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a the woman whose heart is snares and nets, pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth also is vanity. God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 7¶ Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account; 28 Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that 29 Lo, this only have I found, that God the former days were better than these? hath made man upright; but they have for thou dost not inquire wisely concern-sought out many inventions. ing this. CHAP. VIII. 11 ¶ Wisdom is good with an inherit WHO is as the wise man? and who ance and by it there is profit to them that see the sun. the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to 12 For wisdom is a defence, and money shine, and the boldness of his face shall be is a defence: but the excellency of know-changed. God's works unsearchable. CHAP. IX. Wisdom better than strengih. 2 I counsel thee to keep the king's com- think to know it, yet shall he not be able mandment, and that in regard of the oath to find it. of God. CHAP. IX. 3 Be not to go out sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth FOR all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are 4 Where the word of a king is, there is in the hand God: no man knoweth power and who may say unto him, What either love or hatred by all that is before doest thou? them. whatsoever pleaseth him. 5 Whoso keepeth the commandment 2 All things come alike to all: there is shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's one event to the righteous and to the wickheart discerneth both time and judgment. ed; to the good, and to the clean, and to 6 Because to every purpose there is the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and time and judgment, therefore the misery to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, of man is great upon him. so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as 7 For he knoweth not that which shall he that feareth an oath. be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 3 This is an evil among all things that 8 There is no man that hath power over are done under the sun, that there is one the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath event unto all: yea, also the heart of the he power in the day of death: and there is sons of men is full of evil, and madness no discharge in that war; neither shall is in their heart while they live, and after wickedness deliver those that are given to it. that they go to the dead. 9 All this have I seen, and applied my 4 For to him that is joined to all the heart unto every work that is done under living there is hope: for a living dog is the sun there is a time wherein one man better than a dead lion. ruleth over another to his own hurt. 5 For the living know that they shall 10 And so I saw the wicked buried who die but the dead know not any thing, had come and gone from the place of the neither have they any more a reward; for holy, and they were forgotten in the city the memory of them is forgotten. where they had so done: this is also vanity. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and 11 Because sentence against an evil their envy, is now perished; neither have work is not executed speedily, therefore they any more a portion for ever in any the heart of the sons of men is fully set in thing that is done under the sun. them to do evil. 7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. 8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work 10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, of the wicked: again, there be wicked do it with thy might; for there is no work, nen, to whom it happeneth according to nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, the work of the righteous: I said that this in the grave, whither thou goest. also is vanity. 11 I returned, and saw under the sun, 15 Then I commended mirth, because that the race is not to the swift, nor the a man hath no better thing under the sun, battle to the strong, neither yet bread to than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: the wise, nor yet riches to men of underfor that shall abide with him of his labour standing, nor yet favour to men of skill; but the days of his life, which God giveth him time and chance happeneth to them all. under the sun. 12 For man also knoweth not his time: 12 Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 13 But 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. 16 When I applied my heart to as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, know wisdom, and to see the business that and as the birds that are caught in the snare; is done upon the earth: (for also there is so are the sons of men snared in an evil that neither day nor night seeth sleep with time, when it falleth suddenly upon them his eyes :) 13 T This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men 17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun because though a within it; and there came a great king man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not against it, and besieged it, and built great find it; yea further; though a wise man bulwarks against it: |
