Ecclesiastes

The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the most powerful will have a contemptible face.

I heed the mouth of the king, and the commandment of an oath to God.

Do not be hasty to withdraw from his presence, and do not persist in an evil work. For he will do all that pleases him.

And his word is filled with power; neither is anyone able to say to him: “Why are you acting this way?”

Whoever keeps the commandment, will not experience evil. The heart of a wise man understands both time and judgment.

There is a time and an opportunity for every matter, along with many troubles for man.

For he is ignorant of the future, and future events, who can tell him of these?

A man is not able to restrain his spirit, nor does he have power over the day of death; neither is he permitted to rest from warfare, nor will impiety save the impious.

I have all this considered, and I have applied my heart to all the works that are done under the sun. Sometimes one man rules over another to his own harm.

I have seen the impious buried. But when they had gone forth from the holy place, they were condemned and forgotten in the city, just as they deserved. But this, too, is emptiness.

For, because sentence is not quickly pronounced against the evil, the sons of men commit evils without any fear among them.

Yet, in truth, though a sinner may do evil for one hundred days, afterwards I realize that there are those who fear God, who revere his face.

So, may it not go well with the impious, and may his days not be prolonged. But let those who do not fear the face of the Lord, pass away like a shadow.

There is also another infirmity, which is done under the sun: sometimes there are just men to whom evils happen, as though they were doing the works of the impious; and there are impious men who are as though they have the works of the just. But I judge this to be most empty.

Therefore, I praised rejoicing, because there would be nothing better for a man under the sun, than to eat, drink, and be cheerful, for this will accompany him in his labor throughout the days of his life, which God has given to him under the sun.

And I applied my heart, so that I might know wisdom, and so that I might understand a conflict that is turning upon the earth. For day and night, he takes no sleep with his eyes.

And I understand that man is able to find no explanation for all the works of God that are done under the sun. And so, the more that he struggles to seek, so much the less does he find. Yes, even if a wise man claims to know, he will not be able to discover it.