Ecclesiastes 7-9The Value of Practical Wisdom7 A good name is better than precious ointment,And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;2 Better to go to the house of mourningThan to go to the house of feasting,For that is the end of all men;And the living will take it to heart.3 [a]Sorrow is better than laughter,For by a sad countenance the heart is made [b]better.4 The heart of the wise is ...  Read More

Ecclesiastes 4-6The Uselessness of Selfish Toil4 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—[a]On the side of their oppressors there is power,But they have no comforter.2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead,More than the living who are still alive.3 Yet, better than both is he who has n...  Read More

Ecclesiastes 1-3The Vanity of Life1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.2 “Vanity[a] of vanities,” says the Preacher;“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”3 What profit has a man from all his laborIn which he [b]toils under the sun?4 One generation passes away, and another generation comes;But the earth abides forever.5 The sun also rises, and the sun goes down,And [c]hast...  Read More

Proverbs 30-31The Wisdom of Agur30 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, his utterance. This man declared to Ithiel—to Ithiel and Ucal:2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,And do not have the understanding of a man.3 I neither learned wisdomNor have knowledge of the Holy One.4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?Who has gathered the wind in His fists?Who has bound the waters in a garment?Wh...  Read More

Proverbs 27-29My Son, Be Wise27 Do not boast about tomorrow,For you do not know what a day may bring forth.2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth;A stranger, and not your own lips.3 A stone is heavy and sand is weighty,But a fool’s wrath is heavier than both of them.4 Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent,But who is able to stand before jealousy?5 Open rebuke is betterThan love carefull...  Read More

Proverbs 25-26Further Wise Sayings of Solomon25 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth,So the heart of kings is unsearchable.4 Take away the dross from silver,And it will go to the silversmith for jewelry.5 Take...  Read More