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The Words of the Preacher
Ecclesiastes Revisited
Part III of III
Sanctuary
Sequencer Unknown
No Discharge
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. 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.
And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
The Interpretation
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
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. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
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. For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 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?
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Nails Fastened
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.
He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
Wise Counsel
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 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. Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it. Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God. A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. 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. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The End of Ecclesiastes Revisited
A Word on Vanity
The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. And some have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.
The creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other's walk, in the vanity of their mind.
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