Philippians 4:4-9 (New International Version)

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Luke 3 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Luke 3

The Messiah's Herald

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, [a] while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, (A) Herod was tetrarch [b] of Galilee, (B) his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea [c] and Trachonitis, [d] and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, [e] 2 during the high priesthood of Annas (C) and Caiaphas, (D) God's word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. (E) 3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, (F) preaching a baptism of repentance [f] for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the wilderness:

"Prepare the way for the Lord;

make His paths straight!

5 Every valley will be filled,

and every mountain and hill will be made low; [g]

the crooked will become straight,

the rough ways smooth,

6 and everyone [h] will see the salvation of God." (G) (H)

7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! (I) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father, (J) ' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax is ready to strike [i] the root of the trees! Therefore every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (K)

10 "What then should we do?" (L) the crowds were asking him.

11 He replied to them, "The one who has two shirts [j] must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same." (M)

12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, "Teacher, what should we do?" (N)

13 He told them, "Don't collect any more than what you have been authorized."

14 Some soldiers also questioned him: "What should we do?"

He said to them, "Don't take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages."

15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds [k] whether John might be the Messiah. (O) 16 John answered them all, (P) "I baptize you with [l] water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with [m] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel (Q) [n] is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with a fire that never goes out." (R) 18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, (S) being rebuked by him about Herodias, his brother's wife, and about all the evil things Herod had done, (T) 20 added this to everything else—he locked John up in prison. (U)



The Baptism of Jesus

21 When all the people were baptized, (V) Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying, (W) heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:
You are My beloved Son.

I take delight in You! (X)



The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

23 As He began [His ministry], Jesus was about 30 years old and was thought to be [o] the
son of Joseph, (Y) [son] [p] of Heli,
24 [son] of Matthat, [son] of Levi,
[son] of Melchi, [son] of Jannai,
[son] of Joseph, 25 [son] of Mattathias,
[son] of Amos, [son] of Nahum,
[son] of Esli, [son] of Naggai,

26 [son] of Maath, [son] of Mattathias,
[son] of Semein, [son] of Josech,
[son] of Joda, 27 [son] of Joanan,
[son] of Rhesa, [son] of Zerubbabel, (Z)
[son] of Shealtiel, [son] of Neri,

28 [son] of Melchi, [son] of Addi,
[son] of Cosam, [son] of Elmadam,
[son] of Er, 29 [son] of Joshua,
[son] of Eliezer, [son] of Jorim,
[son] of Matthat, [son] of Levi,

30 [son] of Simeon, [son] of Judah,
[son] of Joseph, [son] of Jonam,
[son] of Eliakim, 31 [son] of Melea,
[son] of Menna, [son] of Mattatha,
[son] of Nathan, [son] of David,

32 [son] of Jesse, (AA) [son] of Obed,
[son] of Boaz, [son] of Salmon, [q]
[son] of Nahshon, 33 [son] of Amminadab,
[son] of Ram, [r] [son] of Hezron,
[son] of Perez, [son] of Judah,

34 [son] of Jacob, [son] of Isaac,
[son] of Abraham, (AB) [son] of Terah,
[son] of Nahor, 35 [son] of Serug,
[son] of Reu, [son] of Peleg,
[son] of Eber, [son] of Shelah,

36 [son] of Cainan, [son] of Arphaxad,
[son] of Shem, [son] of Noah, (AC)
[son] of Lamech, 37 [son] of Methuselah,
[son] of Enoch, [son] of Jared,
[son] of Mahalaleel, [son] of Cainan,

38 [son] of Enos, [son] of Seth,
[son] of Adam, [son] of God.

Footnotes:
Luke 3:1 Emperor who ruled the Roman Empire a.d. 14-37
Luke 3:1 Or ruler
Luke 3:1 A small province northeast of Galilee
Luke 3:1 A small province northeast of Galilee
Luke 3:1 A small Syrian province
Luke 3:3 Or baptism based on repentance
Luke 3:5 Lit be humbled
Luke 3:6 Lit all flesh
Luke 3:9 Lit the ax lies at
Luke 3:11 Lit tunics
Luke 3:15 Or hearts
Luke 3:16 Or in
Luke 3:16 Or in
Luke 3:17 A wooden farm implement used to toss threshed grain into the wind so the lighter chaff would blow away and separate from the heavier grain
Luke 3:23 People did not know about His virgin birth; [Lk 1:26-38]; [Mt 1:18-25]
Luke 3:23 The relationship in some cases may be more distant than a son.
Luke 3:32 Other mss read Sala
Luke 3:33 Other mss read Amminadab, son of Aram, son of Joram; other mss read Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni

Todays Message 3/15/09
Date: Mar 15th, 2009 12:30:57 am - Edit
Mood: alive


Todays Message 3/15/09
2 Timothy 1: 7-9 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8, Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Guide us Lord and give us into your teachings,
Pour your word on us,
Shower us with your divine knowledge Oh Lord,
YOU are our Lord our God,
Jesus your only son to that which your teachings reach us and our sins are forgiven with his blood.

Please feel free to email me anytime with questions about Jesus or if you have any prayer concerns.happy.gif

PrayerPsalm91@aol.com

Proverbs 10 (The Message)

Proverbs 10

The Wise Sayings of Solomon

An Honest Life Is Immortal

1 Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.

2 Ill-gotten gain gets you nowhere;
an honest life is immortal.

3 God won't starve an honest soul,
but he frustrates the appetites of the wicked.

4 Sloth makes you poor;
diligence brings wealth.

5 Make hay while the sun shines—that's smart;
go fishing during harvest—that's stupid.

6 Blessings accrue on a good and honest life,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.

7 A good and honest life is a blessed memorial;
a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.

8 A wise heart takes orders;
an empty head will come unglued.

9 Honesty lives confident and carefree,
but Shifty is sure to be exposed.

10 An evasive eye is a sign of trouble ahead,
but an open, face-to-face meeting results in peace.

11 The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well,
but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.

12 Hatred starts fights,
but love pulls a quilt over the bickering.

13 You'll find wisdom on the lips of a person of insight,
but the shortsighted needs a slap in the face.

14 The wise accumulate knowledge—a true treasure;
know-it-alls talk too much—a sheer waste.
The Road to Life Is a Disciplined Life

15 The wealth of the rich is their bastion;
the poverty of the indigent is their ruin.

16 The wage of a good person is exuberant life;
an evil person ends up with nothing but sin.

17 The road to life is a disciplined life;
ignore correction and you're lost for good.

18 Liars secretly hoard hatred;
fools openly spread slander.

19 The more talk, the less truth;
the wise measure their words.

20 The speech of a good person is worth waiting for;
the blabber of the wicked is worthless.

21 The talk of a good person is rich fare for many,
but chatterboxes die of an empty heart.
Fear-of-God Expands Your Life

22 God's blessing makes life rich;
nothing we do can improve on God.

23 An empty-head thinks mischief is fun,
but a mindful person relishes wisdom.

24 The nightmares of the wicked come true;
what the good people desire, they get.

25 When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked;
good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.

26 A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble;
it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.

27 The Fear-of-God expands your life;
a wicked life is a puny life.

28 The aspirations of good people end in celebration;
the ambitions of bad people crash.

29 God is solid backing to a well-lived life,
but he calls into question a shabby performance.

30 Good people last—they can't be moved;
the wicked are here today, gone tomorrow.

31 A good person's mouth is a clear fountain of wisdom;
a foul mouth is a stagnant swamp.

32 The speech of a good person clears the air;
the words of the wicked pollute it.

Genesis 5-7 (New International Version)

Genesis 5-7 (New International Version)

Genesis 5
From Adam to Noah
1 This is the written account of Adam's line.
When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man. [a] "

3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. 4 After Seth was born, Adam lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 5 Altogether, Adam lived 930 years, and then he died.

6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he became the father [b] of Enosh. 7 And after he became the father of Enosh, Seth lived 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Altogether, Seth lived 912 years, and then he died.

9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he became the father of Kenan. 10 And after he became the father of Kenan, Enosh lived 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Altogether, Enosh lived 905 years, and then he died.

12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 And after he became the father of Mahalalel, Kenan lived 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Altogether, Kenan lived 910 years, and then he died.

15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he became the father of Jared. 16 And after he became the father of Jared, Mahalalel lived 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Altogether, Mahalalel lived 895 years, and then he died.

18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he became the father of Enoch. 19 And after he became the father of Enoch, Jared lived 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Altogether, Jared lived 962 years, and then he died.

21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Altogether, Enoch lived 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.

25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he became the father of Lamech. 26 And after he became the father of Lamech, Methuselah lived 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Altogether, Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died.

28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah [c] and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed." 30 After Noah was born, Lamech lived 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Altogether, Lamech lived 777 years, and then he died.

32 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
Genesis 6
The Flood
1 When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. 3 Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with [d] man forever, for he is mortal [e] ; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

5 The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them." 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

9 This is the account of Noah.
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God. 10 Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth.

11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress [f] wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. [g] 16 Make a roof for it and finish [h] the ark to within 18 inches [i] of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish. 18 But I will establish my covenant with you, and you will enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife and your sons' wives with you. 19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive. 21 You are to take every kind of food that is to be eaten and store it away as food for you and for them."

22 Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Genesis 7

1 The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 2 Take with you seven [j] of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, 3 and also seven of every kind of bird, male and female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. 4 Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made."

5 And Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.

6 Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth. 7 And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives entered the ark to escape the waters of the flood. 8 Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, 9 male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah. 10 And after the seven days the floodwaters came on the earth.

11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, on the seventeenth day of the second month—on that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. 12 And rain fell on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 On that very day Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham and Japheth, together with his wife and the wives of his three sons, entered the ark. 14 They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. 15 Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark. 16 The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the LORD shut him in.

17 For forty days the flood kept coming on the earth, and as the waters increased they lifted the ark high above the earth. 18 The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the water. 19 They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered. 20 The waters rose and covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet. [k] , [l] 21 Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm over the earth, and all mankind. 22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. 23 Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

24 The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days.

Footnotes:

1. Genesis 5:2 Hebrew adam
2. Genesis 5:6 Father may mean ancestor ; also in verses 7-26.
3. Genesis 5:29 Noah sounds like the Hebrew for comfort .
4. Genesis 6:3 Or My spirit will not remain in
5. Genesis 6:3 Or corrupt
6. Genesis 6:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
7. Genesis 6:15 Hebrew 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high (about 140 meters long, 23 meters wide and 13.5 meters high)
8. Genesis 6:16 Or Make an opening for light by finishing
9. Genesis 6:16 Hebrew a cubit (about 0.5 meter)
10. Genesis 7:2 Or seven pairs ; also in verse
11. Genesis 7:20 Hebrew fifteen cubits (about 6.9 meters)
12. Genesis 7:20 Or rose more than twenty feet, and the mountains were covered

Proverbs 1-4 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Proverbs 1-4 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Proverbs 1
The Purpose of Proverbs
1 The proverbs of Solomon (A) son of David, king of Israel:

2 For gaining wisdom and being instructed;
for understanding insightful sayings;

3 for receiving wise instruction
[in] righteousness, justice, and integrity; (B)

4 for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, (C) [a]
knowledge and discretion (D) to a young man—

5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning, (E)
and a discerning man will obtain guidance—

6 for understanding a proverb or a parable, [b]
the words of the wise, and their riddles. (F)

7 The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of knowledge; (G)
fools despise wisdom and instruction. (H) [c]


Avoid the Path of the Violent
8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction,
and don't reject your mother's teaching, (I)

9 for they will be a garland (J) of grace on your head
and a [gold] chain around your neck. (K)

10 My son, if sinners entice you, (L)
don't be persuaded. (M)

11 If they say—"Come with us!
Let's set an ambush (N) and kill someone. [d]
Let's attack some innocent person (O) just for fun! [e]

12 Let's swallow them alive, (P) like Sheol,
still healthy as they go down to the Pit. (Q)

13 We'll find all kinds of valuable property
and fill our houses with plunder. (R)

14 Throw in your lot with us,
and we'll all share our money" [f] —

15 my son, don't travel that road with them (S)
or set foot on their path, (T)

16 because their feet run toward trouble
and they hurry to commit murder. (U) [g]

17 It is foolish to spread a net
where any bird can see it,

18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves; [h]
they attack their own lives.

19 Such are the paths of all who pursue gain dishonestly; (V)
it takes the lives of those who profit from it. [i]


Wisdom's Plea
20 Wisdom calls out in the street;
she raises her voice in the public squares. (W)

21 She cries out above [j] the commotion;
she speaks at the entrance of the city gates:

22 "How long, foolish ones, will you love ignorance?
[How long] will [you] mockers (X) enjoy mocking
and [you] fools hate knowledge? (Y)

23 If you turn to my discipline, (Z) [k]
then I will pour out my spirit on you (AA)
and teach you my words.

24 Since I called out and you refused, (AB)
extended my hand and no one paid attention, (AC)

25 since you neglected all my counsel (AD)
and did not accept my correction,

26 I, in turn, will laugh at your calamity. (AE)
I will mock when terror strikes you,

27 when terror strikes you like a storm
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when trouble and stress overcome you.

28 Then they will call me, but I won't answer;
they will search for me, but won't find me. (AF)

29 Because they hated knowledge,
didn't choose to fear the LORD, (AG)

30 were not interested in my counsel,
and rejected all my correction, (AH)

31 they will eat the fruit of their way (AI)
and be glutted with their own schemes. (AJ)

32 For the waywardness of the inexperienced will kill them, (AK)
and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 But whoever listens to me will live securely
and be free from the fear of danger." (AL)
Proverbs 2
Wisdom's Worth
1 My son, if you accept my words (AM)
and store up my commands within you,

2 listening closely [l] to wisdom
and directing your heart to understanding;

3 furthermore, if you call out to insight
and lift your voice to understanding,

4 if you seek it like silver
and search for it like hidden treasure, (AN)

5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and discover the knowledge of God.

6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. (AO)

7 He stores up success [m] for the upright;
He is a shield for those who live with integrity (AP)

8 so that He may guard the paths of justice
and protect the way of His loyal followers. (AQ)

9 Then you will understand righteousness, justice,
and integrity—every good path.

10 For wisdom will enter your mind,
and knowledge will delight your heart.

11 Discretion will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you, (AR)

12 rescuing you from the way of evil—
from the one who says perverse things,

13 [from] those who abandon the right paths
to walk in ways of darkness, (AS)

14 [from] those who enjoy doing evil (AT)
and celebrate perversity,

15 whose paths are crooked, (AU)
and whose ways are devious. (AV)

16 It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, (AW)
from a stranger [n] with her flattering talk, (AX)

17 who abandons the companion of her youth (AY)
and forgets the covenant of her God;

18 for her house sinks down to death
and her ways to the land of the departed spirits. (AZ)

19 None return who go to her;
none reach the paths of life. (BA)

20 So follow the way of good people, (BB)
and keep to the paths of the righteous.

21 For the upright will inhabit the land,
and those of integrity will remain in it; (BC)

22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, (BD)
and the treacherous uprooted from it. (BE)
Proverbs 3
Trust the LORD
1 My son, don't forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands; (BF)

2 for they will bring you
many days, a full life, (BG) [o] and well-being. (BH)

3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart. (BI)

4 Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and man. (BJ)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, (BK)
and do not rely on your own understanding; (BL)

6 think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths. (BM)

7 Don't consider yourself to be wise; (BN)
fear the LORD and turn away from evil. (BO)

8 This will be healing for your body (BP) [p]
and strengthening for your bones. (BQ)

9 Honor the LORD with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest; (BR)

10 then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. (BS)

11 Do not despise the LORD's instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline; (BT)

12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in. (BU)


Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom (BV)
and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold. (BW)

15 She is more precious than jewels; (BX)
nothing you desire compares with her. (BY)

16 Long life [q] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor. (BZ)

17 Her ways are pleasant, (CA)
and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life (CB) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom (CC)
and established the heavens by understanding.

20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, (CD)
and the clouds dripped with dew. (CE)

21 Maintain [your] competence and discretion.
My son, don't lose sight of them. (CF)

22 They will be life for you (CG) [r]
and adornment [s] for your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble. (CH)

24 When you lie [t] down, you will not be afraid; (CI)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25 Don't fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, (CJ)

26 for the LORD will be your confidence [u]
and will keep your foot from a snare. (CK)


Treat Others Fairly
27 When it is in your power, [v]
don't withhold good (CL) from the one to whom it is due.

28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later.
I'll give it tomorrow"—when it is there with you. (CM)

29 Don't plan any harm against your neighbor, (CN)
for he trusts you and lives near you.

30 Don't accuse anyone without cause, (CO)
when he has done you no harm.

31 Don't envy a violent man (CP)
or choose any of his ways;

32 for the devious are detestable to the LORD,
but He is a friend [w] to the upright. (CQ)

33 The LORD's curse is on the household of the wicked, (CR)
but He blesses the home of the righteous;

34 He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble. (CS)

35 The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor. [x]
Proverbs 4
A Father's Example
1 Listen, [my] sons, to a father's discipline, (CT)
and pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

2 for I am giving you good instruction. (CU)
Don't abandon my teaching.

3 When I was a son with my father,
tender and precious to my mother,

4 he taught me and said:
"Your heart must hold on to my words.
Keep my commands and live. (CV)

5 Get wisdom, get understanding; (CW)
don't forget or turn away from the words of my mouth.

6 Don't abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you;
love her, (CX) and she will guard you.

7 Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom.
And whatever else you get, get understanding. (CY)

8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
if you embrace her, she will honor you. (CZ)

9 She will place a garland of grace on your head;
she will give you a crown of beauty." (DA)


Two Ways of Life
10 Listen, my son. Accept my words, (DB)
and you will live many years. (DC)

11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom;
I am guiding you on straight paths. (DD)

12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; (DE)
when you run, you will not stumble. (DF)

13 Hold on to instruction; don't let go. (DG)
Guard it, for it is your life.

14 Don't set foot on the path of the wicked; (DH)
don't proceed in the way of evil ones.

15 Avoid it; don't travel on it.
Turn away from it, and pass it by.

16 For they can't sleep
unless they have done what is evil;
they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. (DI)

17 They eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.

18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, (DJ)
shining brighter and brighter until midday.

19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; (DK)
they don't know what makes them stumble. (DL)


The Straight Path
20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings. (DM)

21 Don't lose sight of them; (DN)
keep them within your heart.

22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one's whole body.

23 Guard your heart above all else, [y]
for it is the source of life. (DO)

24 Don't let your mouth speak dishonestly, (DP)
and don't let your lips talk deviously.

25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze [z] straight ahead. (DQ)

26 Carefully consider the path [aa] for your feet, (DR)
and all your ways will be established.

27 Don't turn to the right or to the left; (DS)
keep your feet away from evil.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 1:4 Or simple, or gullible
2. Proverbs 1:6 Or an enigma
3. Proverbs 1:7 This verse states the theme of Pr.
4. Proverbs 1:11 Lit Let's ambush for blood
5. Proverbs 1:11 Lit person for no reason
6. Proverbs 1:14 Lit us; one bag will be for all of us
7. Proverbs 1:16 Lit to shed blood
8. Proverbs 1:18 Lit they ambush for their blood
9. Proverbs 1:19 Lit takes the life of its masters
10. Proverbs 1:21 Lit at the head of
11. Proverbs 1:23 Lit back to my reprimands
12. Proverbs 2:2 Lit you, stretching out your ear
13. Proverbs 2:7 Or resourcefulness
14. Proverbs 2:16 Or foreign woman
15. Proverbs 3:2 Lit days, years of life
16. Proverbs 3:8 Lit navel
17. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days
18. Proverbs 3:22 Or be your throat; Hb nephesh can mean throat, soul, or life.
19. Proverbs 3:22 Or grace
20. Proverbs 3:24 LXX reads sit
21. Proverbs 3:26 Or be at your side
22. Proverbs 3:27 Lit in the power of your hands
23. Proverbs 3:32 Or confidential counsel
24. Proverbs 3:35 Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor
25. Proverbs 4:23 Or heart with all diligence
26. Proverbs 4:25 Lit eyelids
27. Proverbs 4:26 Or Clear a path


Cross references:

1. Proverbs 1:1 : 1Kg 4:32; Pr 10:1; 25:1; Ec 12:9;
2. Proverbs 1:3 : Pr 2:9;
3. Proverbs 1:4 : Pr 8:5;
4. Proverbs 1:4 : Pr 2:11; 3:21;
5. Proverbs 1:5 : Pr 9:9; 16:21; 23;
6. Proverbs 1:6 : Num 12:8; Jdg 14:12; Ps 49:4; Hab 2:6;
7. Proverbs 1:7 : Jb 28:28; Ps 111:10; Pr 9:10; 15:33;
8. Proverbs 1:7 : Eph 5:17;
9. Proverbs 1:8 : Pr 6:20; 31:1;
10. Proverbs 1:9 : Pr 4:9;
11. Proverbs 1:9 : Gn 41:42; Pr 6:21; Dn 5:29;
12. Proverbs 1:10 : Pr 16:29;
13. Proverbs 1:10 : Ps 141:4;
14. Proverbs 1:11 : Pr 12:6; Jr 5:26;
15. Proverbs 1:11 : Ps 10:8;
16. Proverbs 1:12 : Ps 124:3;
17. Proverbs 1:12 : Ps 28:1;
18. Proverbs 1:13 : Pr 24:4;
19. Proverbs 1:15 : Ps 1:1; Pr 4:14;
20. Proverbs 1:15 : Ps 119:101; Pr 16:19;
21. Proverbs 1:16 : Pr 6:17-18; Is 59:7; Rm 3:15;
22. Proverbs 1:19 : Pr 15:27; Ezk 22:27; Hab 2:6-12;
23. Proverbs 1:20 : Pr 8:1-3; 9:3;
24. Proverbs 1:22 : Ps 1:1;
25. Proverbs 1:22 : Jb 21:14; Pr 1:29; 5:12;
26. Proverbs 1:23 : Pr 3:11; 15:5;, 31-32;
27. Proverbs 1:23 : Jl 2:28;
28. Proverbs 1:24 : Is 65:12; 66:4; Jr 7:13; Zch 7:11;
29. Proverbs 1:24 : Is 65:2; Rm 10:21;
30. Proverbs 1:25 : Ps 107:11; Lk 7:30;
31. Proverbs 1:26 : Ps 2:4;
32. Proverbs 1:28 : 1Sm 8:18;
33. Proverbs 1:29 : Pr 1:7;
34. Proverbs 1:30 : Pr 5:12; 15:5;
35. Proverbs 1:31 : Jr 6:19;
36. Proverbs 1:31 : Pr 14:14; 28:19;
37. Proverbs 1:32 : Jr 2:19;
38. Proverbs 1:33 : Ps 112:7-8; Pr 3:24-26;
39. Proverbs 2:1 : Pr 4:10;
40. Proverbs 2:4 : Jb 3:21; Mt 13:44;
41. Proverbs 2:6 : Jb 32:8;
42. Proverbs 2:7 : Ps 84:11; Pr 10:9; 20:7; 28:18; 30:5;
43. Proverbs 2:8 : 1Sm 2:9; Ps 66:9;
44. Proverbs 2:11 : Pr 4:6; 6:22;
45. Proverbs 2:13 : Ps 82:5; Pr 15:19; 16:17; Jn 3:19;, 20;
46. Proverbs 2:14 : Pr 10:23;
47. Proverbs 2:15 : Ps 125:5; Pr 21:8;
48. Proverbs 2:15 : Pr 3:32; 14:2;
49. Proverbs 2:16 : Pr 9:13-18;
50. Proverbs 2:16 : Pr 5:3;, 20; 6:24; 7:5;, 21; 23:27;
51. Proverbs 2:17 : Mal 2:14-15;
52. Proverbs 2:18 : Pr 7:27; 9:18; 21:16;
53. Proverbs 2:19 : Ps 16:11; Pr 5:6; 7:5;, 21-27; 23:27-28; Ec 7:26;
54. Proverbs 2:20 : Heb 6:12;
55. Proverbs 2:21 : Pr 10:30; Mt 5:5-6;
56. Proverbs 2:22 : Ps 37:38;
57. Proverbs 2:22 : Dt 28:63; Ps 52:5;
58. Proverbs 3:1 : Dt 30:16;
59. Proverbs 3:2 : Ps 91:16; Pr 3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27;
60. Proverbs 3:2 : Pr 4:1-4; 6:20-23; 7:1-3;
61. Proverbs 3:3 : Pr 1:9; 6:21; 7:3; 2Co 3:3;
62. Proverbs 3:4 : Dt 4:6; 1Sm 2:26; Lk 2:52; Rm 14:18;
63. Proverbs 3:5 : Ps 37:3;, 5;
64. Proverbs 3:5 : Jr 9:23;
65. Proverbs 3:6 : Pr 11:5;
66. Proverbs 3:7 : Pr 26:5;, 12; 28:11;, 26; Rm 12:16;
67. Proverbs 3:7 : Jb 1:1; 28:28; Ps 37:27; Pr 16:6;
68. Proverbs 3:8 : Pr 4:22;
69. Proverbs 3:8 : Jb 21:24;
70. Proverbs 3:9 : Ex 23:19; Lv 23:9-14; Dt 26:2;
71. Proverbs 3:10 : Dt 28:8; Mal 3:10;
72. Proverbs 3:11 : Pr 5:11-13; 15:5;, 31-33;
73. Proverbs 3:12 : Dt 8:5; Jb 5:17-18; Pr 13:24; Heb 12:5-7;
74. Proverbs 3:13 : Pr 8:32;, 34;
75. Proverbs 3:14 : Jb 28:15-19; Pr 8:10;, 19; 16:16; 22:1;
76. Proverbs 3:15 : Jb 28:18;
77. Proverbs 3:15 : Pr 8:11; 20:15;
78. Proverbs 3:16 : Pr 8:18; 21:21; 22:4;
79. Proverbs 3:17 : Mt 11:19;
80. Proverbs 3:18 : Gn 2:9; Pr 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Rv 2:7;
81. Proverbs 3:19 : Ps 104:24; Pr 8:27;
82. Proverbs 3:20 : Gn 7:11;
83. Proverbs 3:20 : Dt 33:28; Jb 36:28;
84. Proverbs 3:21 : Pr 4:21;
85. Proverbs 3:22 : Pr 4:22;
86. Proverbs 3:23 : Ps 91:12; Pr 4:12;
87. Proverbs 3:24 : Jb 11:19; Ps 3:5; Pr 6:22;
88. Proverbs 3:25 : Jb 5:21; Ps 91:5; 1Pt 3:14;
89. Proverbs 3:26 : 1Sm 2:9;
90. Proverbs 3:27 : Gl 6:10;
91. Proverbs 3:28 : Lv 19:13; Dt 24:15;
92. Proverbs 3:29 : Pr 6:14; 14:22;
93. Proverbs 3:30 : Pr 24:28; Rm 12:18;
94. Proverbs 3:31 : Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1;, 19;
95. Proverbs 3:32 : Ps 25:14; Pr 11:20; 12:22; 15:8-9;
96. Proverbs 3:33 : Zch 5:3-4; Mal 2:2;
97. Proverbs 3:34 : Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5;
98. Proverbs 4:1 : Ps 34:11; Pr 1:8;
99. Proverbs 4:2 : Jb 11:4;
100. Proverbs 4:4 : Pr 3:1-2; 6:20-23; 7:1-2;
101. Proverbs 4:5 : Pr 16:16;
102. Proverbs 4:6 : 2Th 4:10;
103. Proverbs 4:7 : Pr 16:16;
104. Proverbs 4:8 : 1Sm 2:30;
105. Proverbs 4:9 : Pr 1:9; 16:31;
106. Proverbs 4:10 : Pr 2:1;
107. Proverbs 4:10 : Pr 3:2;
108. Proverbs 4:11 : 1Sm 12:23;
109. Proverbs 4:12 : Jb 18:7; Ps 18:36;
110. Proverbs 4:12 : Pr 3:23;
111. Proverbs 4:13 : Pr 3:18;
112. Proverbs 4:14 : Ps 1:1; Pr 1:15;
113. Proverbs 4:16 : Ps 36:4; Mic 2:1;
114. Proverbs 4:18 : 2Sm 23:4;
115. Proverbs 4:19 : Is 59:9-10; Jr 23:12; Jn 12:35;
116. Proverbs 4:19 : Pr 24:16; Jn 11:10;
117. Proverbs 4:20 : Pr 5:1;
118. Proverbs 4:21 : Pr 3:21;
119. Proverbs 4:23 : Mt 15:19; Mk 7:18-23;
120. Proverbs 4:24 : Pr 6:12;
121. Proverbs 4:25 : Heb 12:2;
122. Proverbs 4:26 : Pr 5:6;, 21; Heb 12:13;
123. Proverbs 4:27 : Dt 5:32-33; 28:13-14; Jos 1:7; 23:6; 1Kg 15:5;

Ecclesiastes 1-7 (Amplified Bible

Ecclesiastes 1-7 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)

Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
[AMP at Lockman] [The Lockman Foundation] [Amplified at Zondervan] [Zondervan]

Ecclesiastes 1
1THE WORDS of the Preacher, the son of David and king in Jerusalem.

2Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities! All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory).(A)

3What profit does man have left from all his toil at which he toils [a]under the sun? [Is life worth living?]

4One generation goes and another generation comes, but the earth remains forever.(B)

5The sun also rises and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.

6The wind goes to the south and circles about to the north; it circles and circles about continually, and on its circuit the wind returns again.(C)

7All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from which the rivers come, to there and from there they return again.

8All things are weary with toil and all words are feeble; man cannot utter it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.(D)

9The thing that has been--it is what will be again, and that which has been done is that which will be done again; and there is nothing new under the sun.

10Is there a thing of which it may be said, See, this is new? It has already been, in the vast ages of time [recorded or unrecorded] which were before us.

11There is no remembrance of former happenings or men, neither will there be any remembrance of happenings of generations that are to come by those who are to come after them.

12I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13And I applied myself by heart and mind to seek and search out by [human] [b]wisdom all human activity under heaven. It is a miserable business which [c]God has given to the sons of man with which to busy themselves.

14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind.

15What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is defective and lacking cannot be counted.

16I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, Behold, I have acquired great [human] wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of [moral] wisdom and [scientific] knowledge.

17And I gave my mind to know [practical] wisdom and to discern [the character of] madness and folly [in which men seem to find satisfaction]; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it.(E)

18For in much [human] wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.


Ecclesiastes 2
1I SAID in my mind, Come now, I will prove you with mirth and test you with pleasure; so have a good time [enjoy pleasure]. But this also was vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!(F)

2I said of laughter, It is mad, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish?

3I searched in my mind how to cheer my body with wine--yet at the same time having my mind hold its course and guide me with [human] wisdom--and how to lay hold of folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

4I made great works; I built myself houses, I planted vineyards.

5I made for myself gardens and orchards and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.

6I made for myself pools of water from which to water the forest and make the trees bud.

7I bought menservants and maidservants and had servants born in my house. Also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.

8I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got for myself men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men--[d]concubines very many.(G)

9So I became great and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me and stood by me.

10And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my portion and reward for all my toil.

11Then I looked on all that my hands had done and the labor I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it, and there was no profit under the sun.(H)

12So I turned to consider [human] wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the man do who succeeds the king? Nothing but what has been done already.

13Then I saw that even [human] wisdom [that brings sorrow] is better than [the pleasures of] folly as far as light is better than darkness.

14The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness; and yet I perceived that [in the end] one event happens to them both.(I)

15Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it will happen even to me. And of what use is it then for me to be more wise? Then I said in my heart, This also is vanity (emptiness, vainglory, and futility)!

16For of the wise man, the same as of the fool, there is no permanent remembrance, since in the days to come all will be long forgotten. And how does the wise man die? Even as the fool!

17So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.

18And I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will succeed me.(J)

19And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have dominion over all my labor in which I have toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

20So I turned around and gave my heart up to despair over all the labor of my efforts under the sun.

21For here is a man whose labor is with wisdom and knowledge and skill; yet to a man who has not toiled for it he must leave it all as his portion. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility) and a great evil!

22For what has a man left from all his labor and from the striving and vexation of his heart in which he has toiled under the sun?

23For all his days are but pain and sorrow, and his work is a vexation and grief; his mind takes no rest even at night. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

24There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God.

25For who can eat or who can have enjoyment any more than I can--[e]apart from Him ?

26For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and heaping up, that he may give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.


Ecclesiastes 3
1TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:

2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,(K)

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 to refrain from embracing,

6A time to get 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,(L)

8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.(M)

9What profit remains for the worker from his toil?

10I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.

11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

12I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get and do good as long as they live;

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

14I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].(N)

15That which is now already has been, and that which is to be already has been; and God seeks that which has passed by [so that history repeats itself ].

16Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was wickedness, and that in the place of righteousness wickedness was there also.

17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time [appointed] for every matter and purpose and for every work.

18I said in my heart regarding the subject of the sons of men, God is trying (separating and sifting) them, that they may see that by themselves [under the sun, without God] they are but like beasts.

19For that which befalls the sons of men befalls beasts; even [in the end] one thing befalls them both. As the one dies, so dies the other. Yes, they all have one breath and spirit, so that a [f]man has no preeminence over a beast; for all is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

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

21Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?

22So I saw 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 back to see what will happen after he is gone?


Ecclesiastes 4
1THEN I returned and considered all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun: And I beheld the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors was power, but they [too] had no comforter.

2So I praised and thought more fortunate those who have been long dead than the living, who are still alive.

3But better than them both [I thought] is he who has not yet been born, who has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

4Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it.

5The fool folds his hands together and eats his own flesh [destroying himself by indolence].

6Better is a handful with quietness than both hands full with painful effort, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it.

7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].

8Here is one alone--no one with him; he neither has child nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labor, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither does he ask, For whom do I labor and deprive myself of good? This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy business.(O)

9Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor;

10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

11Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?

12And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who [g]no longer knows how to receive counsel (friendly reproof and warning)--

14Even though [the youth] comes out of prison to reign, while the other, born a king, becomes needy.

15I saw all the living who walk under the sun with the youth who was to stand up in the king's stead.

16There was no end to all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, vainglory) and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it.


Ecclesiastes 5
1KEEP YOUR foot [give your mind to what you are doing] when you go [as Jacob to sacred Bethel] to the house of God. For to draw near to hear and obey is better than to give the sacrifice of fools [carelessly, irreverently] too ignorant to know that they are doing evil.(P)

2Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few.

3For a dream comes with much business and painful effort, and a fool's voice with many words.

4When you vow a vow or make a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God has no pleasure in fools (those who witlessly mock Him). Pay what you vow.(Q)

5It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.(R)

6Do not allow your mouth to cause your body to sin, and do not say before the messenger [the priest] that it was an error or mistake. Why should God be [made] angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?(S)

7For in a multitude of dreams there is futility and worthlessness, and ruin in a flood of words. But [reverently] fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].

8If you see the oppression of the poor and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in the state or province, do not marvel at the matter. [Be sure that there are those who will attend to it] for a higher [official] than the high is observing, and higher ones are over them.

9Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all; the king himself is served by the field and in all, a king is an advantage to a land with cultivated fields.

10He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with gain. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

11When goods increase, they who eat them increase also. And what gain is there to their owner except to see them with his eyes?

12The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of the rich will not let him sleep.

13There is a serious and severe evil which I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt.

14But those riches are lost in a bad venture; and he becomes the father of a son, and there is nothing in his hand [with which to support the child].

15As [the man] came forth from his mother's womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; and he will take away nothing for all his labor which he can carry in his hand.

16And this also is a serious and severe evil--that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he who labors for the wind?(T)

17All his days also he eats in darkness [cheerlessly, with no sweetness and light in them], and much sorrow and sickness and wrath are his.

18Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him--for this is his [allotted] part.(U)

19Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God [to him].

20For he shall not much remember [seriously] the days of his life, because God [Himself] answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart [the tranquillity of God is mirrored in him].


Ecclesiastes 6
1THERE IS an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavily upon men:

2A man to whom God has given riches, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he might desire, yet God does not give him the power or capacity to enjoy them [things which are gifts from God], but a stranger [in whom he has no interest succeeds him and] consumes and enjoys them. This is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility); it is a sore affliction!(V)

3If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years so that the days of his years are many, but his life is not filled with good, and also he is given no burial [honors nor is laid to rest in the sepulcher of his fathers], I say that [he who had] an untimely birth [resulting in death] is better off than he,(W)

4For [the untimely one] comes in futility and goes into darkness, and in darkness his name is covered.

5Moreover, he has not seen the sun nor had any knowledge, yet he [the stillborn child] has rest rather than he [who is aware of all that he has missed and all that he would not have had to suffer].

6Even though he lives a thousand years twice over and yet has seen no good and experienced no enjoyment--do not all go to one place [the place of the dead]?

7All the labor of man is for his mouth [for self-preservation and enjoyment], and yet his desire is not satisfied.(X)

8For what advantage has the wise man over the fool [being worldly-wise is not the secret to happiness]? What advantage has the poor man who has learned how to walk before the living [publicly, with men's eyes upon him; being poor is not the secret to happiness either]?

9Better is the sight of the eyes [the enjoyment of what is available to one] than the cravings of wandering desire. This is also vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility) and a striving after the wind and a feeding on it!

10Whatever [man] is, he has been named that long ago, and it is known that it is man [h][Adam]; nor can he contend with Him who is mightier than he [whether God or death].

11Seeing that there are [all these and] many other things and words that increase the emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility [of living], what profit and what outcome is there for man?

12For who [[i]limited to human wisdom] knows what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow [going through the motions but accomplishing nothing]? For who can tell a man what will happen [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun after he is gone?


Ecclesiastes 7
1A GOOD name is better than precious perfume, and the day of death better than the day of one's birth.

2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to heart.

3Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness.(Y)

4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth and sensual joy.

5It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools.

6For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

7Surely oppression and extortion make a wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding and judgment.

8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

9Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools.(Z)

10Do not say, Why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise or because of wisdom that you ask this.

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, yes, more excellent it is for those [the living] who see the sun.

12For wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the life of him who has it.

13Consider the work of God: who can make straight what He has made crooked?

14In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one side by side with the other, so that man may not find out anything that shall be after him.

15I have seen everything in the days of my vanity (my emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility): there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in [spite of] his evildoing.

16Be not [morbidly exacting and externally] righteous overmuch, neither strive to make yourself [pretentiously appear] overwise--why should you [get puffed up and] destroy yourself [with presumptuous self-sufficiency]?

17[Although all have sinned] be not wicked overmuch or willfully, neither be foolish--why should you die before your time?

18It is good that you should take hold of this and from that withdraw not your hand; for he who [reverently] fears and worships God will come forth from them all.

19[True] wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers or valiant generals who are in the city.(AA)

20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth who does good and never sins.(AB)

21Do not give heed to everything that is said, lest you hear your servant cursing you--

22For often your own heart knows that you have likewise cursed others.

23All this have I tried and proved by wisdom. I said, I will be wise [independently of God]--but it was far from me.

24That which is is far off, and that which is deep is very deep--who can find it out [true wisdom independent of the fear of God]?(AC)

25I turned about [penitent] and my heart was set to know and to search out and to seek [true] wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly and that foolishness is madness [and what had led me into such wickedness and madness].

26And I found that [of all sinful follies none has been so ruinous in seducing one away from God as idolatrous women] more bitter than death is the woman whose heart is snares and nets and whose hands are bands. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be taken by her.

27Behold, this I have found, says the Preacher, while weighing one thing after another to find out the right estimate [and the reason]--

28Which I am still seeking but have not found--one upright man among a thousand have I found, but an upright woman among all those [one thousand in my harem] have I not found.(AD)

29Behold, this is the only [reason for it that] I have found: God made man upright, but they [men and women] have sought out many devices [for evil].



Footnotes:

1. Ecclesiastes 1:3 Ecclesiastes is the book of the natural man whose interests are confined to the unstable, vanishing pleasures and empty satisfactions of those who live merely "under the sun." The natural man is not aware that all the affirmative answers to life are to be found in Him Who is above, not "under," the sun. The natural man grovels in the dust and finds only earthworms, while the spiritual man may soar on wings like eagles (Isa. 40:31) above all that is futile and disappointing, and may live in the consciousness of God's companionship, favor, and incomparable, everlasting rewards.
2. Ecclesiastes 1:13 The "Wisdom" of Proverbs is not the "wisdom" of Ecclesiastes. The former is Godlike, the latter is usually human.
3. Ecclesiastes 1:13 Throughout this book not once is the Supreme Being recognized as "Lord" [of lords and King of kings]. The word used to designate Him is invariably the one that may be applied to God or to idols--"Elohim," the God recognized "under the sun." The wisdom which is thus limited can end only in "a miserable business" and in vexation of spirit until it finds "the wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17 KJV), "the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory" (I Cor. 2:7 KJV).
4. Ecclesiastes 2:8 Solomon's reign began under most promising conditions: he "loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father.. . All Israel... feared the king [Solomon], for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment" (I Kings 3:3, 28 KJV). But soon his own "wisdom" alone was guiding him. He openly affronted God by taking many wives, including even heathen women. They seduced him into tolerating and even practicing idolatry (I Kings 11:1ff.).
5. Ecclesiastes 2:25 According to The Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) and The Syriac reading: Jesus recognized the unprecedented glory which Solomon's human wisdom had brought him, but He said that Solomon arrayed in all of it was not equal in glory to one tiny lily of the field--which God's wisdom had made (Matt. 6:29).
6. Ecclesiastes 3:19 Does the Bible really teach that "a man has no preeminence over a beast"? No! The Bible only records that the book of Ecclesiastes says it. Then why is this book in the Bible? Can it possibly be called inspired by God when it makes such "under the sun" pronouncements, some only partially true, others entirely false? Here is the tested answer: "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching ... reproof... correction, for instruction... in righteousness." (II Tim. 3:16 ASV.) The divine purpose in including Ecclesiastes in the Bible is obvious. It gives a startling picture of how fatal it is for even the wisest of men to substitute man's "wisdom" for God's wisdom, and to attempt to live by it. Solomon's reign began with God, gold, and glory. It ended with bafflement, brass, and bewildered acceptance of man's having "no preeminence over a beast"!--man, who was made "in the image and likeness of God" (Gen. 1:27) and "but little lower than God [or heavenly beings]"! (Ps. 8:5.)
7. Ecclesiastes 4:13 "Christianity calls upon us to make our old age into an aspect of youth. There is to be no old age in the sense of spiritual exhaustion or moral decrepitude or misanthropic isolation; old age is to be equivalent to increase of kingliness and bounty and holy influence." "The path of the righteous is as the dawning light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4:18 ASV).
8. Ecclesiastes 6:10 The Hebrew "Adam" means man, of the ground. The very name witnesses to his frailty.
9. Ecclesiastes 6:12 How impressive throughout Ecclesiastes is the evidence that, while Solomon is doing his utmost to prove that life is futile and not worth living, the Holy Spirit is using him to show that these conclusions are the tragic effect of living "under the sun"--ignoring the Lord, dwelling away from God the Father, oblivious of the Holy Spirit--and yet face to face with the mysteries of life and nature!


Cross references:

1. Ecclesiastes 1:2 : Rom 8:20
2. Ecclesiastes 1:4 : Ps 119:90
3. Ecclesiastes 1:6 : John 3:8
4. Ecclesiastes 1:8 : Prov 27:20
5. Ecclesiastes 1:17 : I Thess 5:21
6. Ecclesiastes 2:1 : Luke 12:19, 20
7. Ecclesiastes 2:8 : I Kings 9:28; 10:10, 14, 21
8. Ecclesiastes 2:11 : Matt 16:26
9. Ecclesiastes 2:14 : Prov 17:24
10. Ecclesiastes 2:18 : Ps 49:10
11. Ecclesiastes 3:2 : Heb 9:27
12. Ecclesiastes 3:7 : Amos 5:13
13. Ecclesiastes 3:8 : Luke 14:26
14. Ecclesiastes 3:14 : Ps 19:9; James 1:17
15. Ecclesiastes 4:8 : Prov 27:20; I John 2:16
16. Ecclesiastes 5:1 : Gen 35:1-4; Exod 3:5
17. Ecclesiastes 5:4 : Ps 50:14; 66:13, 14; 76:11
18. Ecclesiastes 5:5 : Prov 20:25; Acts 5:4
19. Ecclesiastes 5:6 : Mal 2:7
20. Ecclesiastes 5:16 : I Tim 6:6
21. Ecclesiastes 5:18 : I Tim 6:17
22. Ecclesiastes 6:2 : Luke 12:20
23. Ecclesiastes 6:3 : Job 3:16
24. Ecclesiastes 6:7 : Prov 16:26
25. Ecclesiastes 7:3 : II Cor 7:10
26. Ecclesiastes 7:9 : James 1:19, 20
27. Ecclesiastes 7:19 : Ps 127:1; II Tim 3:15
28. Ecclesiastes 7:20 : Isa 53:6; Rom 3:23
29. Ecclesiastes 7:24 : Job 28:12-28; I Cor 2:9-16
30. Ecclesiastes 7:28 : I Kings 11:3