• Ecclesiastes 10 | The Power of Wisdom and the Destruction of Folly

    The Fragility of Wisdom “Dead flies turn a perfumer’s oil rancid,so a little foolishness is more potent than wisdom and honor.” “A wise person’s heart directs him toward the right,but the foolish person’s heart directs him toward the left.” “Even when the fool walks along the road,his sense is lacking,and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool.” The Madness of Rash Leadership “If the ruler’s temper rises against…

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  • Ecclesiastes 9 | The Certainty of Death and the Call to Joyful Wisdom

    Death Comes to All “For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous people, wise people, and their deeds are in the hand of God.People do not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits them.” “It is the same for all.There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked;for the good, for the clean and for the unclean;for the one…

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  • Ecclesiastes 8 | The Mystery of God’s Timing and the Limits of Human Wisdom

    Wisdom and Authority “Who is like the wise person and who knows the meaning of a matter?A person’s wisdom illuminates his face and makes his stern face brighten.” “I say: keep the command of the king because of the oath before God.Do not be in a hurry to leave him;do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” “Since the word of the king is…

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  • Ecclesiastes 7 | Wisdom From Sorrow, Humility, and the Fear of the Lord

    “A good name is better than good perfume,And the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.” “It is better to go to a house of mourningThan to go to a house of feasting,Because that is the end of every person,And the living takes it to heart.” “Sorrow is better than laughter,For when a face is sad a heart may be happy.” “The mind of the…

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  • Ecclesiastes 6 | Wealth Without Enjoyment and the Emptiness of Human Desire

    “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is widespread among mankind:” “a person to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor,so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires;yet God has not given him the opportunity to enjoy these things,for a stranger enjoys them instead.This is futility and a severe affliction.” “If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many…

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  • Ecclesiastes 5 | Worship, Wealth, and the Fear of God

    Reverence in Worship “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and approach to listenrather than to offer the sacrifice of fools;for they do not know they are doing evil.” “Do not be quick with your mouthor impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God.For God is in heaven and you are on the earth;therefore let your words be few.” “For…

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  • Ecclesiastes 4 | The Burden of Oppression and the Need for Companionship

    “Then I looked again at all the acts of oppression which were being done under the sun.And behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed and that they had no one to comfort them;and on the side of their oppressors was power,but they had no one to comfort them.” “So I congratulated the dead who are already deadmore than the living who are still living.But better off than both of…

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