Prologue 1 The words of the Teacher,the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Motto Introduced 2 “Vanity of vanities!” says the Teacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!” All Toil…

Qohelet’s Investigation of Self-Indulgence 1 I said to myself,“Come! I will testpleasure to see whether it is worthwhile.”But look, “This also is vanity!” 2 I said of laughter, “It is…

God Has Ordained the Ebb and Flow of Human Activities 1 For everything there is an appointed time, a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to bearand…

The Existence of Oppression in the World Makes Human Existence Miserable 1 I looked again, and I saw all the oppression that occurs under the sun. I saw the tears…

Listen to God Rather Than Uttering Rash Vows 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice…

Those Who Have Wealth but Do Not Enjoy It Are Pitiful 1 Here is another misfortune that I have seen under the sun, and it is prevalent among humankind. 2…

People Generally Do Not Know What is Best for Them 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of…

Wisdom is Valuable 1 Who is like the sage? Who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is…

The Same Fate—Death—Awaits Everyone 1 So all this I laid to my heart, and I concludedthat the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in the hand…

1 Dead flies cause a bad smell and ruinthe ointment of the perfumer. So also a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 The heart of the wise inclines to…