Eccl.4.1

Next I turned my attention to all the outrageous violence that takes place on this planet--the tears of the victims, no one to comfort them; the iron grip of oppressors, no one to rescue the victims from them.

Eccl.4.1

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors- and they have no comforter.

Eccl.4.1

Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter-- On the side of their oppressors there is power, But they have no comforter.

Eccl.4.1

Again I observed all the oppression that takes place in our world. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and the victims are helpless.

Eccl.4.2

So I congratulated the dead who are already dead instead of the living who are still alive.

Eccl.4.2

And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.

Eccl.4.2

Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead, More than the living who are still alive.

Eccl.4.2

So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.

Eccl.4.3

But luckier than the dead or the living is the person who has never even been, who has never seen the bad business that takes place on this earth.

Eccl.4.3

But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

Eccl.4.3

Yet, better than both is he who has never existed, Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Eccl.4.3

And most fortunate of all are those who were never born. For they have never seen all the evil that is done in our world.

Eccl.4.4

Then I observed all the work and ambition motivated by envy. What a waste! Smoke. And spitting into the wind.

Eccl.4.4

And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.4.4

Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.4.4

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success by their envy of their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Eccl.4.5

The fool sits back and takes it easy, His sloth is slow suicide.

Eccl.4.5

The fool folds his hands and ruins himself.

Eccl.4.5

The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

Eccl.4.5

Foolish people refuse to work and almost starve.

Eccl.4.6

One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work--More spitting into the wind.

Eccl.4.6

Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.

Eccl.4.6

Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.4.6

They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile.

Eccl.4.7

I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness:

Eccl.4.7

Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

Eccl.4.7

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

Eccl.4.7

I observed yet another example of meaninglessness in our world.

Eccl.4.8

a solitary person, completely alone--no children, no family, no friends--yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.

Eccl.4.8

There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless- a miserable business!

Eccl.4.8

There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, "For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?" This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.

Eccl.4.8

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, "Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?" It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Eccl.4.9

It's better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth.

Eccl.4.9

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

Eccl.4.9

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

Eccl.4.9

Two people can accomplish more than twice as much as one; they get a better return for their labor.

Eccl.4.10

And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there's no one to help, tough!

Eccl.4.10

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Eccl.4.10

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.

Eccl.4.10

If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.

Eccl.4.11

Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night.

Eccl.4.11

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Eccl.4.11

Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

Eccl.4.11

And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone?

Eccl.4.12

By yourself you're unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped. [JC]

Eccl.4.12

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Eccl.4.12

Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Eccl.4.12

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Eccl.4.13

A poor youngster with some wisdom is better off than an old but foolish king who doesn't know which end is up.

Eccl.4.13

Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning.

Eccl.4.13

Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

Eccl.4.13

It is better to be a poor but wise youth than to be an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.

Eccl.4.14

I saw a youth just like this start with nothing and go from rags to riches,

Eccl.4.14

The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom.

Eccl.4.14

For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.

Eccl.4.14

Such a youth could come from prison and succeed. He might even become king, though he was born in poverty.

Eccl.4.15

and I saw everyone rally to the rule of this young successor to the king.

Eccl.4.15

I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king's successor.

Eccl.4.15

I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

Eccl.4.15

Everyone is eager to help such a youth, even to help him take the throne.

Eccl.4.16

Even so, the excitement died quickly, the throngs of people soon lost interest. Can't you see it's only smoke? And spitting into the wind?

Eccl.4.16

There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.4.16

There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.4.16

He might become the leader of millions and be very popular. But then the next generation grows up and rejects him! So again, it is all meaningless, like chasing the wind.

Eccl.5.1

Watch your step when you enter God's house. Enter to learn. That's far better than mindlessly offering a sacrifice, Doing more harm than good.

Eccl.5.1

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Eccl.5.1

Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

Eccl.5.1

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut! Don't be a fool who doesn't realize that mindless offerings to God are evil.

Eccl.5.2

Don't shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think. Don't be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear. God's in charge, not you--the less you speak, the better.

Eccl.5.2

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Eccl.5.2

Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.

Eccl.5.2

And don't make rash promises to God, for he is in heaven, and you are only here on earth. So let your words be few.

Eccl.5.3

Over-work makes for restless sleep. Over-talk shows you up as a fool.

Eccl.5.3

As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

Eccl.5.3

For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.

Eccl.5.3

Just as being too busy gives you nightmares, being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.

Eccl.5.4

When you tell God you'll do something, do it--now. God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.

Eccl.5.4

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Eccl.5.4

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed--

Eccl.5.4

So when you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.

Eccl.5.5

Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.

Eccl.5.5

It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Eccl.5.5

Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Eccl.5.5

It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you don't follow through on.

Eccl.5.6

Don't let your mouth make a total sinner of you. When called to account, you won't get by with "Sorry, I didn't mean it." Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?

Eccl.5.6

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

Eccl.5.6

Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?

Eccl.5.6

In such cases, your mouth is making you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.

Eccl.5.7

But against all illusion and fantasy and empty talk There's always this rock foundation: Fear God!

Eccl.5.7

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.

Eccl.5.7

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.

Eccl.5.7

Dreaming all the time instead of working is foolishness. And there is ruin in a flood of empty words. Fear God instead.

Eccl.5.8

Don't be too upset when you see the poor kicked around, and justice and right violated all over the place. Exploitation filters down from one petty official to another. There's no end to it, and nothing can be done about it.

Eccl.5.8

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

Eccl.5.8

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.

Eccl.5.8

If you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and justice being miscarried throughout the land, don't be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice only get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.

Eccl.5.9

But the good earth doesn't cheat anyone--even a bad king is honestly served by a field.

Eccl.5.9

The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

Eccl.5.9

Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.

Eccl.5.9

Even the king milks the land for his own profit!

Eccl.5.10

The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, Nor the one who loves wealth with big profits. More smoke.

Eccl.5.10

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

Eccl.5.10

He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Eccl.5.10

Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!

Eccl.5.11

The more loot you get, the more looters show up. And what fun is that--to be robbed in broad daylight?

Eccl.5.11

As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?

Eccl.5.11

When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes?

Eccl.5.11

The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what is the advantage of wealth--except perhaps to watch it run through your fingers!

Eccl.5.12

Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep, Whether supper is beans or steak. But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.

Eccl.5.12

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

Eccl.5.12

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.

Eccl.5.12

People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich are always worrying and seldom get a good night's sleep.

Eccl.5.13

Here's a piece of bad luck I've seen happen: A man hoards far more wealth than is good for him

Eccl.5.13

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

Eccl.5.13

There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.

Eccl.5.13

There is another serious problem I have seen in the world. Riches are sometimes hoarded to the harm of the saver,

Eccl.5.14

And then loses it all in a bad business deal. He fathered a child but hasn't a cent left to give him.

Eccl.5.14

or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him.

Eccl.5.14

But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.

Eccl.5.14

or they are put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children.

Eccl.5.15

He arrived naked from the womb of his mother; He'll leave in the same condition--with nothing.

Eccl.5.15

Naked a man comes from his mother's womb, and as he comes, so he departs. He takes nothing from his labor that he can carry in his hand.

Eccl.5.15

As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.

Eccl.5.15

People who live only for wealth come to the end of their lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day they were born.

Eccl.5.16

This is bad luck, for sure--naked he came, naked he went. So what was the point of working for a salary of smoke?

Eccl.5.16

This too is a grievous evil: As a man comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?

Eccl.5.16

And this also is a severe evil-- Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?

Eccl.5.16

And this, too, is a very serious problem. As people come into this world, so they depart. All their hard work is for nothing. They have been working for the wind, and everything will be swept away.

Eccl.5.17

All for a miserable life spent in the dark?

Eccl.5.17

All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

Eccl.5.17

All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.

Eccl.5.17

Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud--frustrated, discouraged, and angry.

Eccl.5.18

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot.

Eccl.5.18

Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him-for this is his lot.

Eccl.5.18

Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.

Eccl.5.18

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat well, drink a good glass of wine, and enjoy their work--whatever they do under the sun--for however long God lets them live.

Eccl.5.19

Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift!

Eccl.5.19

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work-this is a gift of God.

Eccl.5.19

As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of God.

Eccl.5.19

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God.

Eccl.5.20

God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.

Eccl.5.20

He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Eccl.5.20

For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

Eccl.5.20

People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy.

Eccl.6.1

I looked long and hard at what goes on around here, and let me tell you, things are bad. And people feel it.

Eccl.6.1

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:

Eccl.6.1

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Eccl.6.1

There is another serious tragedy I have seen in our world.

Eccl.6.2

There are people, for instance, on whom God showers everything--money, property, reputation--all they ever wanted or dreamed of. And then God doesn't let them enjoy it. Some stranger comes along and has all the fun. It's more of what I'm calling smoke. A bad business.

Eccl.6.2

God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.

Eccl.6.2

A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.

Eccl.6.2

God gives great wealth and honor to some people and gives them everything they could ever want, but then he doesn't give them the health to enjoy it. They die, and others get it all! This is meaningless--a sickening tragedy.

Eccl.6.3

Say a couple have scores of children and live a long, long life but never enjoy themselves--even though they end up with a big funeral! I'd say that a stillborn baby gets the better deal.

Eccl.6.3

A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Eccl.6.3

If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he--

Eccl.6.3

A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old. But if he finds no satisfaction in life and in the end does not even get a decent burial, I say he would have been better off born dead.

Eccl.6.4

It gets its start in a mist and ends up in the dark--unnamed.

Eccl.6.4

It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.

Eccl.6.4

for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.

Eccl.6.4

I realize that his birth would have been meaningless and ended in darkness. He wouldn't even have had a name,

Eccl.6.5

It sees nothing and knows nothing, but is better off by far than anyone living.

Eccl.6.5

Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-

Eccl.6.5

Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man,

Eccl.6.5

and he would never have seen the sun or known of its existence. Yet he would have had more peace than he has in growing up to be an unhappy man.

Eccl.6.6

Even if someone lived a thousand years--make it two thousand!-but didn't enjoy anything, what's the point? Doesn't everyone end up in the same place?

Eccl.6.6

even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Eccl.6.6

even if he lives a thousand years twice--but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?

Eccl.6.6

He might live a thousand years twice over but not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else--well, what's the use?

Eccl.6.7

We work to feed our appetites; Meanwhile our souls go hungry.

Eccl.6.7

All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

Eccl.6.7

All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.

Eccl.6.7

All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem to have enough.

Eccl.6.8

So what advantage has a sage over a fool, or over some poor wretch who barely gets by?

Eccl.6.8

What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?

Eccl.6.8

For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?

Eccl.6.8

Considering this, do wise people really have any advantage over fools? Do poor people gain anything by being wise and knowing how to act in front of others?

Eccl.6.9

Just grab whatever you can while you can; don't assume something better might turn up by and by. All it amounts to anyway is smoke. And spitting into the wind.

Eccl.6.9

Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Eccl.6.9

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Eccl.6.9

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind.

Eccl.6.10

Whatever happens, happens. Its destiny is fixed. You can't argue with fate.

Eccl.6.10

Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.

Eccl.6.10

Whatever one is, he has been named already, For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.

Eccl.6.10

Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.

Eccl.6.11

The more words that are spoken, the more smoke there is in the air. And who is any better off?

Eccl.6.11

The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?

Eccl.6.11

Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?

Eccl.6.11

The more words you speak, the less they mean. So why overdo it?

Eccl.6.12

And who knows what's best for us as we live out our meager smoke--and-shadow lives? And who can tell any of us the next chapter of our lives?

Eccl.6.12

For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?

Eccl.6.12

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?

Eccl.6.12

In the few days of our empty lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? And who can tell what will happen in the future after we are gone?