Eccl.1.1

These are the words of the Quester, David's son and king in Jerusalem:

Eccl.1.1

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:

Eccl.1.1

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.1

These are the words of the Teacher, King David's son, who ruled in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.2

Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That's what the Quester says.] There's nothing to anything--it's all smoke.

Eccl.1.2

"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."

Eccl.1.2

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

Eccl.1.2

"Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless!"

Eccl.1.3

What's there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone?

Eccl.1.3

What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?

Eccl.1.3

What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?

Eccl.1.3

What do people get for all their hard work?

Eccl.1.4

One generation goes its way, the next one arrives, but nothing changes--it's business as usual for old planet earth.

Eccl.1.4

Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.

Eccl.1.4

One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

Eccl.1.4

Generations come and go, but nothing really changes.

Eccl.1.5

The sun comes up and the sun goes down, then does it again, and again--the same old round.

Eccl.1.5

The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.

Eccl.1.5

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

Eccl.1.5

The sun rises and sets and hurries around to rise again.

Eccl.1.6

The wind blows south, the wind blows north. Around and around and around it blows, blowing this way, then that--the whirling, erratic wind.

Eccl.1.6

The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.

Eccl.1.6

The wind goes toward the south, And turns around to the north; The wind whirls about continually, And comes again on its circuit.

Eccl.1.6

The wind blows south and north, here and there, twisting back and forth, getting nowhere.

Eccl.1.7

All the rivers flow into the sea, but the sea never fills up. The rivers keep flowing to the same old place, and then start all over and do it again.

Eccl.1.7

All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.

Eccl.1.7

All the rivers run into the sea, Yet the sea is not full; To the place from which the rivers come, There they return again.

Eccl.1.7

The rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows again to the sea.

Eccl.1.8

Everything's boring, utterly boring--no one can find any meaning in it. Boring to the eye, boring to the ear.

Eccl.1.8

All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.

Eccl.1.8

All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.

Eccl.1.8

Everything is so weary and tiresome! No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

Eccl.1.9

What was will be again, what happened will happen again. There's nothing new on this earth. Year after year it's the same old thing.

Eccl.1.9

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.

Eccl.1.9

That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.

Eccl.1.9

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.

Eccl.1.10

Does someone call out, "Hey, this is new"? Don't get excited--it's the same old story.

Eccl.1.10

Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.

Eccl.1.10

Is there anything of which it may be said, "See, this is new"? It has already been in ancient times before us.

Eccl.1.10

What can you point to that is new? How do you know it didn't already exist long ago?

Eccl.1.11

Nobody remembers what happened yesterday. And the things that will happen tomorrow? Nobody'll remember them either. Don't count on being remembered.

Eccl.1.11

There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.

Eccl.1.11

There is no remembrance of former things, Nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after.

Eccl.1.11

We don't remember what happened in those former times. And in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.

Eccl.1.12

Call me "the Quester." I've been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.12

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.12

I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.12

I, the Teacher, was king of Israel, and I lived in Jerusalem.

Eccl.1.13

I looked most carefully into everything, searched out all that is done on this earth. And let me tell you, there's not much to write home about. God hasn't made it easy for us.

Eccl.1.13

I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!

Eccl.1.13

And I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven; this burdensome task God has given to the sons of man, by which they may be exercised.

Eccl.1.13

I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done in the world. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.

Eccl.1.14

I've seen it all and it's nothing but smoke--smoke, and spitting into the wind.

Eccl.1.14

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.1.14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.1.14

Everything under the sun is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Eccl.1.15

Life's a corkscrew that can't be straightened, A minus that won't add up.

Eccl.1.15

What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.

Eccl.1.15

What is crooked cannot be made straight, And what is lacking cannot be numbered.

Eccl.1.15

What is wrong cannot be righted. What is missing cannot be recovered.

Eccl.1.16

I said to myself, "I know more and I'm wiser than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I've stockpiled wisdom and knowledge."

Eccl.1.16

I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."

Eccl.1.16

I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge."

Eccl.1.16

I said to myself, "Look, I am wiser than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. I have greater wisdom and knowledge than any of them."

Eccl.1.17

What I've finally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless--nothing but spitting into the wind.

Eccl.1.17

Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.1.17

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.

Eccl.1.17

So I worked hard to distinguish wisdom from foolishness. But now I realize that even this was like chasing the wind.

Eccl.1.18

Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know, the more you hurt.

Eccl.1.18

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Eccl.1.18

For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Eccl.1.18

For the greater my wisdom, the greater my grief. To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

Eccl.2.1

I said to myself, "Let's go for it--experiment with pleasure, have a good time!" But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke.

Eccl.2.1

I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.

Eccl.2.1

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure"; but surely, this also was vanity.

Eccl.2.1

I said to myself, "Come now, let's give pleasure a try. Let's look for the `good things' in life." But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

Eccl.2.2

What do I think of the fun-filled life? Insane! Inane! My verdict on the pursuit of happiness? Who needs it?

Eccl.2.2

"Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"

Eccl.2.2

I said of laughter--"Madness!"; and of mirth, "What does it accomplish?"

Eccl.2.2

"It is silly to be laughing all the time," I said. "What good does it do to seek only pleasure?"

Eccl.2.3

With the help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster, I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life. I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth.

Eccl.2.3

I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly-my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

Eccl.2.3

I searched in my heart how to gratify my flesh with wine, while guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Eccl.2.3

After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. While still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I hoped to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.

Eccl.2.4

Oh, I did great things: built houses, planted vineyards,

Eccl.2.4

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.

Eccl.2.4

I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.

Eccl.2.4

I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.

Eccl.2.5

designed gardens and parks and planted a variety of fruit trees in them,

Eccl.2.5

I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

Eccl.2.5

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

Eccl.2.5

I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.

Eccl.2.6

made pools of water to irrigate the groves of trees.

Eccl.2.6

I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

Eccl.2.6

I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.

Eccl.2.6

I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.

Eccl.2.7

I bought slaves, male and female, OSOSwho had children, giving me even more slaves; then I acquired large herds and flocks, larger than any before me in Jerusalem.

Eccl.2.7

I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

Eccl.2.7

I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.

Eccl.2.7

I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned great herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who lived in Jerusalem before me.

Eccl.2.8

I piled up silver and gold, loot from kings and kingdoms. I gathered a chorus of singers to entertain me with song, and--most exquisite of all pleasures--voluptuous maidens for my bed.

Eccl.2.8

I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well-the delights of the heart of man.

Eccl.2.8

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.

Eccl.2.8

I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!

Eccl.2.9

Oh, how I prospered! I left all my predecessors in Jerusalem far behind, left them behind in the dust. What's more, I kept a clear head through it all.

Eccl.2.9

I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

Eccl.2.9

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

Eccl.2.9

So I became greater than any of the kings who ruled in Jerusalem before me. And with it all, I remained clear-eyed so that I could evaluate all these things.

Eccl.2.10

Everything I wanted I took--I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing. I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task--my reward to myself for a hard day's work!

Eccl.2.10

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.

Eccl.2.10

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.

Eccl.2.10

Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy. I even found great pleasure in hard work, an additional reward for all my labors.

Eccl.2.11

Then I took a good look at everything I'd done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke. Smoke and spitting into the wind. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing.

Eccl.2.11

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Eccl.2.11

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done And on the labor in which I had toiled; And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.

Eccl.2.11

But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless. It was like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

Eccl.2.12

And then I took a hard look at what's smart and what's stupid. What's left to do after you've been king? That's a hard act to follow. You just do what you can, and that's it.

Eccl.2.12

Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?

Eccl.2.12

Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?-- Only what he has already done.

Eccl.2.12

So I decided to compare wisdom and folly, and anyone else would come to the same conclusions I did.

Eccl.2.13

But I did see that it's better to be smart than stupid, just as light is better than darkness.

Eccl.2.13

I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.

Eccl.2.13

Then I saw that wisdom excels folly As light excels darkness.

Eccl.2.13

Wisdom is of more value than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

Eccl.2.14

Even so, though the smart ones see where they're going and the stupid ones grope in the dark, they're all the same in the end. One fate for all--and that's it.

Eccl.2.14

The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.

Eccl.2.14

The wise man's eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.

Eccl.2.14

For the wise person sees, while the fool is blind. Yet I saw that wise and foolish people share the same fate.

Eccl.2.15

When I realized that my fate's the same as the fool's, I had to ask myself, "So why bother being wise?" It's all smoke, nothing but smoke.

Eccl.2.15

Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."

Eccl.2.15

So I said in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?" Then I said in my heart, "This also is vanity."

Eccl.2.15

Both of them die. Just as the fool will die, so will I. So of what value is all my wisdom? Then I said to myself, "This is all so meaningless!"

Eccl.2.16

The smart and the stupid both disappear out of sight. In a day or two they're both forgotten. Yes, both the smart and the stupid die, and that's it.

Eccl.2.16

For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!

Eccl.2.16

For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!

Eccl.2.16

For the wise person and the fool both die, and in the days to come, both will be forgotten.

Eccl.2.17

I hate life. As far as I can see, what happens on earth is a bad business. It's smoke--and spitting into the wind.

Eccl.2.17

So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.2.17

Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.2.17

So now I hate life because everything done here under the sun is so irrational. Everything is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Eccl.2.18

And I hated everything I'd accomplished and accumulated on this earth. I can't take it with me--no, I have to leave it to whoever comes after me.

Eccl.2.18

I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.

Eccl.2.18

Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

Eccl.2.18

I am disgusted that I must leave the fruits of my hard work to others.

Eccl.2.19

Whether they're worthy or worthless--and who's to tell?-they'll take over the earthly results of my intense thinking and hard work. Smoke.

Eccl.2.19

And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

Eccl.2.19

And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

Eccl.2.19

And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? And yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work. How meaningless!

Eccl.2.20

That's when I called it quits, gave up on anything that could be hoped for on this earth.

Eccl.2.20

So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.

Eccl.2.20

Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.

Eccl.2.20

So I turned in despair from hard work. It was not the answer to my search for satisfaction in this life.

Eccl.2.21

What's the point of working your fingers to the bone if you hand over what you worked for to someone who never lifted a finger for it? Smoke, that's what it is. A bad business from start to finish.

Eccl.2.21

For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

Eccl.2.21

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Eccl.2.21

For though I do my work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, I must leave everything I gain to people who haven't worked to earn it. This is not only foolish but highly unfair.

Eccl.2.22

So what do you get from a life of hard labor?

Eccl.2.22

What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?

Eccl.2.22

For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun?

Eccl.2.22

So what do people get for all their hard work?

Eccl.2.23

Pain and grief from dawn to dusk. Never a decent night's rest. Nothing but smoke.

Eccl.2.23

All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.

Eccl.2.23

For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

Eccl.2.23

Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night they cannot rest. It is all utterly meaningless.

Eccl.2.24

The best you can do with your life is have a good time and get by the best you can. The way I see it, that's it--divine fate.

Eccl.2.24

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,

Eccl.2.24

Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God.

Eccl.2.24

So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God.

Eccl.2.25

Whether we feast or fast, it's up to God.

Eccl.2.25

for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

Eccl.2.25

For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

Eccl.2.25

For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

Eccl.2.26

God may give wisdom and knowledge and joy to his favorites, but sinners are assigned a life of hard labor, and end up turning their wages over to God's favorites. Nothing but smoke--and spitting into the wind.

Eccl.2.26

To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.2.26

For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.2.26

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. Even this, however, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Eccl.3.1

There's an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

Eccl.3.1

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

Eccl.3.1

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

Eccl.3.1

1 There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven.

Eccl.3.2

A right time for birth and another for death, A right time to plant and another to reap,

Eccl.3.2

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Eccl.3.2

A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

Eccl.3.2

A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.

Eccl.3.3

A right time to kill and another to heal, A right time to destroy and another to construct,

Eccl.3.3

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,

Eccl.3.3

A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up;

Eccl.3.3

A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.

Eccl.3.4

A right time to cry and another to laugh, A right time to lament and another to cheer,

Eccl.3.4

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Eccl.3.4

A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

Eccl.3.4

A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.

Eccl.3.5

A right time to make love and another to abstain, A right time to embrace and another to part,

Eccl.3.5

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

Eccl.3.5

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

Eccl.3.5

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

Eccl.3.6

A right time to search and another to count your losses, A right time to hold on and another to let go,

Eccl.3.6

a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,

Eccl.3.6

A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

Eccl.3.6

A time to search and a time to lose. A time to keep and a time to throw away.

Eccl.3.7

A right time to rip out and another to mend, A right time to shut up and another to speak up,

Eccl.3.7

a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,

Eccl.3.7

A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

Eccl.3.7

A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.

Eccl.3.8

A right time to love and another to hate, A right time to wage war and another to make peace.

Eccl.3.8

a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Eccl.3.8

A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.

Eccl.3.8

A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.

Eccl.3.9

But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does?

Eccl.3.9

What does the worker gain from his toil?

Eccl.3.9

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?

Eccl.3.9

What do people really get for all their hard work?

Eccl.3.10

I've had a good look at what God has given us to do--busywork, mostly.

Eccl.3.10

I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

Eccl.3.10

I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.

Eccl.3.10

I have thought about this in connection with the various kinds of work God has given people to do.

Eccl.3.11

True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time--but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going.

Eccl.3.11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Eccl.3.11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Eccl.3.11

God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end.

Eccl.3.12

I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life.

Eccl.3.12

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

Eccl.3.12

I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives,

Eccl.3.12

So I concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they can.

Eccl.3.13

That's it--eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.

Eccl.3.13

That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.

Eccl.3.13

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

Eccl.3.13

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Eccl.3.14

I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear.

Eccl.3.14

I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

Eccl.3.14

I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Eccl.3.14

And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose in this is that people should fear him.

Eccl.3.15

Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.

Eccl.3.15

Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Eccl.3.15

That which is has already been, And what is to be has already been; And God requires an account of what is past.

Eccl.3.15

Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed in the past. For God calls each event back in its turn.

Eccl.3.16

I took another good look at what's going on: The very place of judgment--corrupt!

Eccl.3.16

And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment-wickedness was there, in the place of justice-wickedness was there.

Eccl.3.16

Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, Wickedness was there; And in the place of righteousness, Iniquity was there.

Eccl.3.16

I also noticed that throughout the world there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!

Eccl.3.17

The place of righteousness--corrupt! I said to myself, "God will judge righteous and wicked." There's a right time for every thing, every deed--and there's no getting around it.

Eccl.3.17

I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."

Eccl.3.17

I said in my heart, "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

Eccl.3.17

I said to myself, "In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds."

Eccl.3.18

I said to myself regarding the human race, "God's testing the lot of us, showing us up as nothing but animals."

Eccl.3.18

I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

Eccl.3.18

I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals."

Eccl.3.18

Then I realized that God allows people to continue in their sinful ways so he can test them. That way, they can see for themselves that they are no better than animals.

Eccl.3.19

Humans and animals come to the same end--humans die, animals die. We all breathe the same air. So there's really no advantage in being human. None. Everything's smoke.

Eccl.3.19

Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.

Eccl.3.19

For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.

Eccl.3.19

For humans and animals both breathe the same air, and both die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless!

Eccl.3.20

We all end up in the same place--we all came from dust, we all end up as dust.

Eccl.3.20

All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.

Eccl.3.20

All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.

Eccl.3.20

Both go to the same place--the dust from which they came and to which they must return.

Eccl.3.21

Nobody knows for sure that the human spirit rises to heaven or that the animal spirit sinks into the earth.

Eccl.3.21

Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"

Eccl.3.21

Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?

Eccl.3.21

For who can prove that the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward into the earth?

Eccl.3.22

So I made up my mind that there's nothing better for us men and women than to have a good time in whatever we do--that's our lot. Who knows if there's anything else to life?

Eccl.3.22

So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Eccl.3.22

So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

Eccl.3.22

So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.

1Cor.7.1

Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations?

1Cor.7.1

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.

1Cor.7.1

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

1Cor.7.1

Now about the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live a celibate life.

1Cor.7.2

Certainly--but only within a certain context. It's good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder.

1Cor.7.2

But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.

1Cor.7.2

Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

1Cor.7.2

But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

1Cor.7.3

The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality--the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband.

1Cor.7.3

The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

1Cor.7.3

Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

1Cor.7.3

The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband.

1Cor.7.4

Marriage is not a place to "stand up for your rights." Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out.

1Cor.7.4

The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.

1Cor.7.4

The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

1Cor.7.4

The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband also gives authority over his body to his wife.

1Cor.7.5

Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it's for the purposes of prayer and fasting--but only for such times. Then come back together again. Satan has an ingenious way of tempting us when we least expect it.

1Cor.7.5

Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1Cor.7.5

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1Cor.7.5

So do not deprive each other of sexual relations. The only exception to this rule would be the agreement of both husband and wife to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time, so they can give themselves more completely to prayer. Afterward they should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt them because of their lack of self-control.

1Cor.7.6

I'm not, understand, commanding these periods of abstinence--only providing my best counsel if you should choose them.

1Cor.7.6

I say this as a concession, not as a command.

1Cor.7.6

But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.

1Cor.7.6

This is only my suggestion. It's not meant to be an absolute rule.

1Cor.7.7

Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me--a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

1Cor.7.7

I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

1Cor.7.7

For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

1Cor.7.7

I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives the gift of singleness.

1Cor.7.8

I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me.

1Cor.7.8

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am.

1Cor.7.8

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;

1Cor.7.8

Now I say to those who aren't married and to widows--it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.

1Cor.7.9

But if they can't manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.

1Cor.7.9

But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1Cor.7.9

but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1Cor.7.9

But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust.

1Cor.7.10

And if you are married, stay married. This is the Master's command, not mine.

1Cor.7.10

To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

1Cor.7.10

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.

1Cor.7.10

Now, for those who are married I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.

1Cor.7.11

If a wife should leave her husband, she must either remain single or else come back and make things right with him. And a husband has no right to get rid of his wife.

1Cor.7.11

But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

1Cor.7.11

But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

1Cor.7.11

But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else go back to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.

1Cor.7.12

For the rest of you who are in mixed marriages--Christian married to nonChristian--we have no explicit command from the Master. So this is what you must do. If you are a man with a wife who is not a believer but who still wants to live with you, hold on to her.

1Cor.7.12

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.

1Cor.7.12

But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.

1Cor.7.12

Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a Christian man has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her.

1Cor.7.13

If you are a woman with a husband who is not a believer but he wants to live with you, hold on to him.

1Cor.7.13

And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

1Cor.7.13

And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.

1Cor.7.13

And if a Christian woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.

1Cor.7.14

The unbelieving husband shares to an extent in the holiness of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is likewise touched by the holiness of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be left out; as it is, they also are included in the spiritual purposes of God.

1Cor.7.14

For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

1Cor.7.14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

1Cor.7.14

For the Christian wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the Christian husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not have a godly influence, but now they are set apart for him.

1Cor.7.15

On the other hand, if the unbelieving spouse walks out, you've got to let him or her go. You don't have to hold on desperately. God has called us to make the best of it, as peacefully as we can.

1Cor.7.15

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

1Cor.7.15

But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

1Cor.7.15

(But if the husband or wife who isn't a Christian insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is not required to stay with them, for God wants his children to live in peace.)

1Cor.7.16

You never know, wife: The way you handle this might bring your husband not only back to you but to God. You never know, husband: The way you handle this might bring your wife not only back to you but to God.

1Cor.7.16

How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

1Cor.7.16

For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

1Cor.7.16

You wives must remember that your husbands might be converted because of you. And you husbands must remember that your wives might be converted because of you.

Ps.94.12

How blessed the man you train, GOD, the woman you instruct in your Word,

Ps.94.12

Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law;

Ps.94.12

Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law,

Ps.94.12

Happy are those whom you discipline, LORD, and those whom you teach from your law.

Ps.94.13

Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked.

Ps.94.13

you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.

Ps.94.13

That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked.

Ps.94.13

You give them relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked.

Ps.94.14

GOD will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people.

Ps.94.14

For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.

Ps.94.14

For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Ps.94.14

The LORD will not reject his people; he will not abandon his own special possession.

Ps.94.15

Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right.

Ps.94.15

Judgment will again be founded on righteousness, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Ps.94.15

But judgment will return to righteousness, And all the upright in heart will follow it.

Ps.94.15

Judgment will come again for the righteous, and those who are upright will have a reward.

Ps.94.16

Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers?

Ps.94.16

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?

Ps.94.16

Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?

Ps.94.16

Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers?

Ps.94.17

If GOD hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it.

Ps.94.17

Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.

Ps.94.17

Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.

Ps.94.17

Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have died.

Ps.94.18

The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, GOD, took hold and held me fast.

Ps.94.18

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O LORD, supported me.

Ps.94.18

If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.

Ps.94.18

I cried out, "I'm slipping!" and your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.

Ps.94.19

When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.

Ps.94.19

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Ps.94.19

In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.

Ps.94.19

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Ps.94.20

Can Misrule have anything in common with you? Can Troublemaker pretend to be on your side?

Ps.94.20

Can a corrupt throne be allied with you- one that brings on misery by its decrees?

Ps.94.20

Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, Have fellowship with You?

Ps.94.20

Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side--leaders who permit injustice by their laws?

Ps.94.21

They ganged up on good people, plotted behind the backs of the innocent.

Ps.94.21

They band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Ps.94.21

They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood.

Ps.94.21

They attack the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Ps.94.22

But GOD became my hideout, God was my high mountain retreat,

Ps.94.22

But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

Ps.94.22

But the LORD has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.

Ps.94.22

But the LORD is my fortress; my God is a mighty rock where I can hide.

Ps.94.23

Then boomeranged their evil back on them: for their evil ways he wiped them out, our GOD cleaned them out for good.

Ps.94.23

He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the LORD our God will destroy them.

Ps.94.23

He has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The LORD our God shall cut them off.

Ps.94.23

God will make the sins of evil people fall back upon them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.