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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Ecclesiastes.jpg|right|frame]]
א דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת בֶּן-דָּוִד, מֶלֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָם.
ב הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר קֹהֶלֶת, הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים הַכֹּל הָבֶל.
----
Ecclesiastes is the name given to the book of Holy Scripture which usually follows the Proverbs; the Hebrew Qoheleth probably has the same meaning. The word preacher, however, is not meant to suggest a congregation nor a public speech, but only the solemn announcement of sublime truths [hqhyl, passive nqhl, Latin congregare, 1 Kings 8:1-2; bqhl, in publico, palam, Proverbs 5:14; 26:26; qhlh to be taken either as a feminine participle, and would then be either a simple abstract noun, præconium, or in a poetic sense, tuba clangens, or must be taken as the name of a person, like the proper nouns of similar formation, Ezra 2:55-57; corresponding to its use, the word is always used as masculine, except vii, 27]. Solomon, as the herald of wisdom, proclaims the most serious truths. His teaching may be divided as follows.
==Chapter .1==
[1] The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
[1] The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
[2] Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
[2] Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
==Chapter .2==
[1] I said to myself, "Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.
[1] I said to myself, "Come now, I will make a test of pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.
[2] I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?"
[2] I said of laughter, "It is mad," and of pleasure, "What use is it?"
[25] for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
[25] for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
[26] For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
[26] For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
==Chapter .3==
[1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
[1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
[2] a time to be born, and a time to die;
[2] a time to be born, and a time to die;
[21] Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?
[21] Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down to the earth?
[22] So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should enjoy his work, for that is his lot; who can bring him to see what will be after him?
[22] So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should enjoy his work, for that is his lot; who can bring him to see what will be after him?
==Chapter .4==
[1] Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.
[1] Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them.
[2] And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive;
[2] And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive;
[15] I saw all the living who move about under the sun, as well as that youth, who was to stand in his place;
[15] I saw all the living who move about under the sun, as well as that youth, who was to stand in his place;
[16] there was no end of all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
[16] there was no end of all the people; he was over all of them. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
==Chapter.5==
[1] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil.
[1] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil.
[2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.
[2] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.
[19] Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil -- this is the gift of God.
[19] Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil -- this is the gift of God.
[20] For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
[20] For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
==Chapter .6==
[1] There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy upon men:
[1] There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy upon men:
[2] a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them; this is vanity; it is a sore affliction.
[2] a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them; this is vanity; it is a sore affliction.
[11] The more words, the more vanity, and what is man the better?
[11] The more words, the more vanity, and what is man the better?
[12] For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
[12] For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
==Chapter .7==
[1] A good name is better than precious ointment;
[1] A good name is better than precious ointment;
and the day of death, than the day of birth.
and the day of death, than the day of birth.
[28] which my mind has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found.
[28] which my mind has sought repeatedly, but I have not found. One man among a thousand I found, but a woman among all these I have not found.
[29] Behold, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.
[29] Behold, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices.
==Chapter .8==
[1] Who is like the wise man?
[1] Who is like the wise man?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
[17] then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out; even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
[17] then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out; even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
==Chapter. 9==
[1] But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hate man does not know. Everything before them is vanity,
[1] But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hate man does not know. Everything before them is vanity,
[2] since one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good man, so is the sinner; and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
[2] since one fate comes to all, to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As is the good man, so is the sinner; and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
[18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
==Chapter .10==
[1] Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor;
[1] Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off an evil odor;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
or some winged creature tell the matter.
or some winged creature tell the matter.
==Chapter .11==
[1] Cast your bread upon the waters,
[1] Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
for you will find it after many days.
Remove vexation from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Remove vexation from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
==Chapter .12==
[1] Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
[1] Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
[2] before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain;
[2] before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain;
