Eccl.9.13

One day as I was observing how wisdom fares on this earth, I saw something that made me sit up and take notice.

Eccl.9.13

I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me:

Eccl.9.13

This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me:

Eccl.9.13

Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have watched the way our world works.

Eccl.9.14

There was a small town with only a few people in it. A strong king came and mounted an attack, building trenches and attack posts around it.

Eccl.9.14

There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.

Eccl.9.14

There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it.

Eccl.9.14

There was a small town with only a few people living in it, and a great king came with his army and besieged it.

Eccl.9.15

There was a poor but wise man in that town whose wisdom saved the town, but he was promptly forgotten. (He was only a poor man, after all.)

Eccl.9.15

Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.

Eccl.9.15

Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.

Eccl.9.15

There was a poor, wise man living there who knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. But afterward no one thought any more about him.

Eccl.9.16

All the same, I still say that wisdom is better than muscle, even though the wise poor man was treated with contempt and soon forgotten.

Eccl.9.16

So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.

Eccl.9.16

Then I said: "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.

Eccl.9.16

Then I realized that though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise will be despised if they are poor. What they say will not be appreciated for long.

Eccl.9.17

The quiet words of the wise are more effective Than the ranting of a king of fools.

Eccl.9.17

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Eccl.9.17

Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.

Eccl.9.17

But even so, the quiet words of a wise person are better than the shouts of a foolish king.

Eccl.9.18

Wisdom is better than warheads, But one hothead can ruin the good earth.

Eccl.9.18

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Eccl.9.18

Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good."

Eccl.9.18

A wise person can overcome weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.

Eccl.10.1

Dead flies in perfume make it stink, And a little foolishness decomposes much wisdom.

Eccl.10.1

As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Eccl.10.1

Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.

Eccl.10.1

Dead flies will cause even a bottle of perfume to stink! Yes, an ounce of foolishness can outweigh a pound of wisdom and honor.

Eccl.10.2

Wise thinking leads to right living; Stupid thinking leads to wrong living.

Eccl.10.2

The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.

Eccl.10.2

A wise man's heart is at his right hand, But a fool's heart at his left.

Eccl.10.2

The hearts of the wise lead them to do right, and the hearts of the foolish lead them to do evil.

Eccl.10.3

Fools on the road have no sense of direction. The way they walk tells the story: "There goes the fool again!"

Eccl.10.3

Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.

Eccl.10.3

Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Eccl.10.3

You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street!

Eccl.10.4

If a ruler loses his temper against you, don't panic; A calm disposition quiets intemperate rage. [JC]

Eccl.10.4

If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.

Eccl.10.4

If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

Eccl.10.4

If your boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

Eccl.10.5

Here's a piece of bad business I've seen on this earth, An error that can be blamed on whoever is in charge:

Eccl.10.5

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler:

Eccl.10.5

There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler:

Eccl.10.5

There is another evil I have seen as I have watched the world go by. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake

Eccl.10.6

Immaturity is given a place of prominence, While maturity is made to take a back seat.

Eccl.10.6

Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones.

Eccl.10.6

Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place.

Eccl.10.6

if they give foolish people great authority, and if they fail to give people of proven worth their rightful place of dignity.

Eccl.10.7

I've seen unproven upstarts riding in style, While experienced veterans are put out to pasture. [JC]

Eccl.10.7

I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.

Eccl.10.7

I have seen servants on horses, While princes walk on the ground like servants.

Eccl.10.7

I have even seen servants riding like princes--and princes walking like servants.

Eccl.10.8

Caution: The trap you set might catch you. Warning: Your accomplice in crime might double-cross you.

Eccl.10.8

Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.

Eccl.10.8

He who digs a pit will fall into it, And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.

Eccl.10.8

When you dig a well, you may fall in. When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake.

Eccl.10.9

Safety first: Quarrying stones is dangerous. Be alert: Felling trees is hazardous.

Eccl.10.9

Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.

Eccl.10.9

He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.

Eccl.10.9

When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you! When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax! Such are the risks of life.

Eccl.10.10

Remember: The duller the ax the harder the work; Use your head: The more brains, the less muscle.

Eccl.10.10

If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

Eccl.10.10

If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.

Eccl.10.10

Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

Eccl.10.11

If the snake bites before it's been charmed, What's the point in then sending for the charmer? [JC]

Eccl.10.11

If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.

Eccl.10.11

A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

Eccl.10.11

It does no good to charm a snake after it has bitten you.

Eccl.10.12

The words of a wise person are gracious. The talk of a fool self-destructs--

Eccl.10.12

Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

Eccl.10.12

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

Eccl.10.12

It is pleasant to listen to wise words, but the speech of fools brings them to ruin.

Eccl.10.13

He starts out talking nonsense And ends up spouting insanity and evil.

Eccl.10.13

At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness-

Eccl.10.13

The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.

Eccl.10.13

Since fools base their thoughts on foolish premises, their conclusions will be wicked madness.

Eccl.10.14

Fools talk way too much, Chattering stuff they know nothing about.

Eccl.10.14

and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming- who can tell him what will happen after him?

Eccl.10.14

A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

Eccl.10.14

Foolish people claim to know all about the future and tell everyone the details! But who can really know what is going to happen?

Eccl.10.15

A decent day's work so fatigues fools That they can't find their way back to town. [JC]

Eccl.10.15

A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.

Eccl.10.15

The labor of fools wearies them, For they do not even know how to go to the city!

Eccl.10.15

Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they have no strength for even the simplest tasks.

Eccl.10.16

Unlucky the land whose king is a young pup, And whose princes party all night.

Eccl.10.16

Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning.

Eccl.10.16

Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, And your princes feast in the morning!

Eccl.10.16

Destruction is certain for the land whose king is a child and whose leaders feast in the morning.

Eccl.10.17

Lucky the land whose king is mature, Where the princes behave themselves And don't drink themselves silly. [JC]

Eccl.10.17

Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time- for strength and not for drunkenness.

Eccl.10.17

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles, And your princes feast at the proper time-- For strength and not for drunkenness!

Eccl.10.17

Happy is the land whose king is a nobleman and whose leaders feast only to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

Eccl.10.18

A shiftless man lives in a tumbledown shack; A lazy woman ends up with a leaky roof.

Eccl.10.18

If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

Eccl.10.18

Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

Eccl.10.18

Laziness lets the roof leak, and soon the rafters begin to rot.

Eccl.10.19

Laughter and bread go together, And wine gives sparkle to life--But it's money that makes the world go around.

Eccl.10.19

A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

Eccl.10.19

A feast is made for laughter, And wine makes merry; But money answers everything.

Eccl.10.19

A party gives laughter, and wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!

Eccl.10.20

Don't bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, And don't abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide.

Eccl.10.20

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

Eccl.10.20

Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.

Eccl.10.20

Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don't make fun of a rich man, either. A little bird may tell them what you have said.

Eccl.11.1

Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns.

Eccl.11.1

Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.

Eccl.11.1

Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.

Eccl.11.1

Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later.

Eccl.11.2

Don't hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.

Eccl.11.2

Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.

Eccl.11.2

Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

Eccl.11.2

Divide your gifts among many, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

Eccl.11.3

When the clouds are full of water, it rains. When the wind blows down a tree, it lies where it falls.

Eccl.11.3

If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.

Eccl.11.3

If the clouds are full of rain, They empty themselves upon the earth; And if a tree falls to the south or the north, In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.

Eccl.11.3

When the clouds are heavy, the rains come down. When a tree falls, whether south or north, there it lies.

Eccl.11.4

Don't sit there watching the wind. Do your own work. Don't stare at the clouds. Get on with your life.

Eccl.11.4

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

Eccl.11.4

He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

Eccl.11.4

If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.

Eccl.11.5

Just as you'll never understand the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman, So you'll never understand the mystery at work in all that God does.

Eccl.11.5

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Eccl.11.5

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.

Eccl.11.5

God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb.

Eccl.11.6

Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end.

Eccl.11.6

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Eccl.11.6

In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good.

Eccl.11.6

Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow--perhaps they all will.

Eccl.11.7

Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!

Eccl.11.7

Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.

Eccl.11.7

Truly the light is sweet, And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;

Eccl.11.7

Light is sweet; it's wonderful to see the sun!

Eccl.11.8

Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, Remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke.

Eccl.11.8

However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.

Eccl.11.8

But if a man lives many years And rejoices in them all, Yet let him remember the days of darkness, For they will be many. All that is coming is vanity.

Eccl.11.8

When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember that the dark days will be many. Everything still to come is meaningless.

Eccl.11.9

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

Eccl.11.9

Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.

Eccl.11.9

Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.

Eccl.11.9

Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Eccl.11.10

Live footloose and fancy free--You won't be young forever. Youth lasts about as long as smoke.

Eccl.11.10

So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Eccl.11.10

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity.

Eccl.11.10

So banish grief and pain, but remember that youth, with a whole life before it, still faces the threat of meaninglessness.

Eccl.12.1

Honor and enjoy your Creator while you're still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes,

Eccl.12.1

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"-

Eccl.12.1

Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them":

Eccl.12.1

Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living.

Eccl.12.2

Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire.

Eccl.12.2

before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain;

Eccl.12.2

While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain;

Eccl.12.2

It will be too late then to remember him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds.

Eccl.12.3

In old age, your body no longer serves you so well. Muscles slacken, grip weakens, joints stiffen. The shades are pulled down on the world.

Eccl.12.3

when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim;

Eccl.12.3

In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim;

Eccl.12.3

Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you will be blind, too.

Eccl.12.4

You can't come and go at will. Things grind to a halt. The hum of the household fades away. You are wakened now by bird-song.

Eccl.12.4

when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint;

Eccl.12.4

When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low.

Eccl.12.4

And when your teeth are gone, keep your lips tightly closed when you eat! Even the chirping of birds will wake you up. But you yourself will be deaf and tuneless, with a quavering voice.

Eccl.12.5

Hikes to the mountains are a thing of the past. Even a stroll down the road has its terrors. Your hair turns apple-blossom white, Adorning a fragile and impotent matchstick body. Yes, you're well on your way to eternal rest, While your friends make plans for your funeral.

Eccl.12.5

when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.

Eccl.12.5

Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets.

Eccl.12.5

You will be afraid of heights and of falling, white-haired and withered, dragging along without any sexual desire. You will be standing at death's door. And as you near your everlasting home, the mourners will walk along the streets.

Eccl.12.6

Life, lovely while it lasts, is soon over. Life as we know it, precious and beautiful, ends.

Eccl.12.6

Remember him-before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well,

Eccl.12.6

Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.

Eccl.12.6

Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.

Eccl.12.7

The body is put back in the same ground it came from. The spirit returns to God, who first breathed it.

Eccl.12.7

and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Eccl.12.7

Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Eccl.12.7

For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

Eccl.12.8

It's all smoke, nothing but smoke. The Quester says that everything's smoke.

Eccl.12.8

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

Eccl.12.8

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity."

Eccl.12.8

"All is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless."

Eccl.12.9

Besides being wise himself, the Quester also taught others knowledge. He weighed, examined, and arranged many proverbs.

Eccl.12.9

Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.

Eccl.12.9

And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.

Eccl.12.9

Because the Teacher was wise, he taught the people everything he knew. He collected proverbs and classified them.

Eccl.12.10

The Quester did his best to find the right words and write the plain truth.

Eccl.12.10

The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.

Eccl.12.10

The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright--words of truth.

Eccl.12.10

Indeed, the Teacher taught the plain truth, and he did so in an interesting way.

Eccl.12.11

The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd.

Eccl.12.11

The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-given by one Shepherd.

Eccl.12.11

The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.

Eccl.12.11

A wise teacher's words spur students to action and emphasize important truths. The collected sayings of the wise are like guidance from a shepherd.

Eccl.12.12

But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There's no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else.

Eccl.12.12

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.

Eccl.12.12

And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

Eccl.12.12

But, my child, be warned: There is no end of opinions ready to be expressed. Studying them can go on forever and become very exhausting!

Eccl.12.13

The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.

Eccl.12.13

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Eccl.12.13

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.

Eccl.12.13

Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person.

Eccl.12.14

And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil.

Eccl.12.14

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Eccl.12.14

For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.

Eccl.12.14

God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.