Ecclesiastes 9-10
For dust we are, and to dust we return.
I took all of this to heart
and concluded that the righteous and the wise,
as well as their works,
are in the hands of the true God.
Men are not aware of the love and the hate
that took place prior to them.
All have the very same outcome —
the righteous and the wicked,
the good and the clean and the unclean,
those sacrificing and those not sacrificing.
The good one is the same as the sinner;
the one who swears an oath
is the same as the one who is cautious
about swearing an oath.
This is a distressing thing that happens under the sun:
because all have the same outcome,
the heart of humans is full of bad;
there is madness in their heart during their life,
and then they die.
There is hope for whoever is among the living,
because a live dog is better off than a dead lion.
For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing at all,
nor do they have any more reward,
because all memory of them is forgotten.
Their love and their hate and their jealousy
have already perished.
They no longer have any share
in what is done under the sun.
Go, eat your food with rejoicing,
and drink your wine with a cheerful heart,
for already the true God has found pleasure in your works.
May your clothing always be white,
and do not fail to put oil on your head.
Enjoy life with your beloved wife
all the days of your futile life,
which He has given you under the sun—
all the days of your futility—
for that is your lot in life
and in your hard work at which you toil under the sun.
Whatever your hand finds to do,
do with all your might,
for there is no work, nor planning,
nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the Grave,
where you are going.
I have seen something further under the sun:
the swift do not always win the race,
nor do the mighty win the battle,
nor do the wise always have the food,
nor do the intelligent always have the riches,
nor do those with knowledge always have success,
because time and unexpected events overtake them all.
For man does not know his time.
Just as fish are caught in an evil net,
and birds are caught in a trap,
so the sons of men are ensnared in a time of disaster,
when it suddenly overtakes them.
I also observed this about wisdom under the sun—
and it impressed me:
There was a small city with a few men in it,
and a mighty king came against it,
surrounded it,
and built great siegeworks against it.
In it was found a poor but wise man,
and he saved the city by his wisdom.
But no one remembered that poor man.
And I said to myself:
Wisdom is better than mightiness—
yet a poor man’s wisdom is despised,
and his words are not heeded.
Better to heed the calm words of the wise
than the shouts of the one ruling among fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but just one sinner can destroy much good.
As dead flies cause the perfumer’s oil to stink and bubble,
so a little foolishness outweighs wisdom and glory.
The heart of the wise one leads him in the right way,
but the heart of the stupid one leads him in the wrong way.
In whatever way the fool walks,
he is lacking good sense,
and he lets everyone know that he is a fool.
If the anger of a ruler should flare up against you,
do not leave your place,
for calmness allays great sins.
There is something distressing that I have seen under the sun,
the sort of mistake made by those in power:
Foolishness is put in many high positions,
but the rich remain in low positions.
I have seen servants on horseback,
but princes walking on foot just like servants.
The one who digs a pit may fall into it;
the one who breaks through a stone wall
may be bitten by a snake.
The one who quarries stones may be hurt by them,
and the one who splits logs may be endangered by them.
If an iron tool is dull
and one does not sharpen its edge,
he will need to exert much effort.
But wisdom helps to achieve success.
If the snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the skilled charmer.
The words from the mouth of the wise one bring favor,
but the lips of the stupid one are his ruin.
The first words out of his mouth are foolishness,
and his last words are disastrous madness.
But the fool keeps on speaking.
A man does not know what will happen;
who can tell him what will come after him?
The hard work of the stupid one wears him out,
for he does not even know how to find his way to the city.
How terrible for a land
when the king is a boy
and the princes start their feasting in the morning!
How happy for the land
when the king is the son of nobles,
and the princes eat at the proper time
for strength, not for drunkenness!
Because of extreme laziness,
the roof beams sag,
and because of idle hands,
the house leaks.
Bread is made for laughter,
and wine makes life enjoyable,
but money answers every need.
Even in your thoughts,
do not curse the king,
and do not curse the rich in your bedroom;
for a bird may convey the sound,
or a creature with wings may repeat what was said.
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Thank you for coming here and walking through the garden of my mind. No day is as brilliant in its moment as it is gilded in memory. Embrace your experience and relish gorgeous recollection.
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