Ecclesiastes 10-12Wisdom and Folly10 Dead[a] flies [b]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.2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,But a fool’s heart at his left.3 Even when a fool walks along the way,He lacks wisdom,And he shows everyone that he is a fool.4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you,D...  Read More

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