Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 Preachers Searches to Find What Man Should Do All Their Lives

 

Preachers Searches to Find What Man Should Do All Their Lives

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26            The Book of Ecclesiastes [in Smaller Chunks]

[Right now,] I said [within] my heart, I will [test] you with [happiness.] Therefore, enjoy pleasure & [see that] this is also vanity. I said [about] laughter, It is [madness] & of [happiness,] What [good] does it [do?]

I [searched within my] heart, to [treat] myself to wine, yet [enlightening my] heart with wisdom, [while seizing foolishness, until] I might see what was good [that] the sons of men should do, all the days of their life, under heaven.

I made [myself] great works: I [built myself] houses & I planted [for myself:] vineyards, gardens, orchards & all [kinds] of [fruit] trees. I made [myself] pools of water, to [irrigate] the [woods] that [produce] trees.

I got [male & female servants for myself] & [even] had servants born in my house. I also had [many] possessions of: [large] & small [livestock,] above all that [have been] in Jerusalem, before me. I also gathered [for myself:] silver & gold & [special treasures from the] kings & [from] the provinces.

I [got myself: male & female] singers & musical instruments of all sorts, [that delight] the sons of men. So, I was [famous] & increased more than all [who] were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained [within] me.

I [didn't keep anything from what my] eyes desired. I [didn't withhold] my heart from any joy. For my heart rejoiced in all my labor & this was my portion [rewarded for] all my labor.

Then, I looked on all the works that my hands had [engaged in] & on the [work] that I had labored to do & [saw] all was vanity & [like trying to grab the wind] & there was no [benefit] under the sun. And I turned myself to [see:] wisdom, madness & [foolishness.]

For what can the man do, [who] comes after the king? [Only] that, which has already been done. Then, I saw wisdom [surpasses foolishness, like] light far [surpasses] darkness. The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. And I, myself, also [realized,] that one event happens to them all.

[Ecclesiastes 9:2-3 All things [happen] alike to all. There is one event to the: righteous, wicked, good, the clean, the unclean, to him, [who] sacrifices & to him, [who doesn't] sacrifice.

As is [to] the good, [also] is [to] the sinner & he, [who] swears [an oath,] [is like] he, [who is afraid of taking] an oath. This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all. [Yes,] the heart of the sons of men is full of evil & madness is in their [hearts,] while they live & after that, they go to the dead.]

Then, I said [within] my heart, [Like] it happens to the fool, [also] it happens even to me. Then, why was I more wise? Then, I said [within] my heart, that this also is vanity.

For there is no more [memory] forever of the wise than of the fool. [Since what] is now, shall all be forgotten in the days to come. And how [does] the wise man [die?] [Just like] the fool.

Therefore, I hated life; because the work that is [done] under the sun is grievous to me. For all is vanity & [like trying to grab the wind.] [Yes,] I hated all my [work] that I had [engaged in] under the sun, because I should leave it to the man, [who] shall be after me.

And who knows whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? [Still,] he shall rule over all my [work, in which] I have labored & [in which,] I have [shown] myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

Therefore, I went [around & caused] my heart to despair [about] all the labor, [with] which I have [engaged in] under the sun. For there is a man, whose labor is [done] in wisdom, knowledge & [fairness;] [but] he shall yet leave his portion to a man, [who] hasn't [worked.] This is also vanity & a great evil.

For what [does] a man [have from] all his labor & his [troubled] heart [with which,] he has labored, under the sun? For all his days are sorrows & his [tribulation,] grief. [Yes,] his heart [doesn't] rest in the night. This is also vanity.

There is nothing better that a man should do, than eat, drink & make his soul enjoy the [benefits of] his labor. I also saw this, and that, it was from the hand of God. [Luke 12:19-21 And I will say to my Soul, you have [a large quantity of] goods [stored] up for many years: take [it easy] & eat, drink & be merry.

But God said to him, You fool. This night your [life] shall be [demanded from] you. Then, whose shall those things be, [that] you have provided? So, is he, [who stores] up treasure for himself & isn't rich toward God.]

For who can eat, or [up until now,] who else can [hurry to do so,] more than I? For God gives to a man, [what] is good in His sight: wisdom, knowledge & joy. But He gives to the sinner, [troubles] to gather & heap up, [so] that He may give to him, [what] us good before God. This, also is vanity & [like trying to grab the wind.]

[Revelation 3:19-22 As many as I love, I [reprimand & chastise.] Therefore, be zealous & repent. [Watch,] I stand at the door & knock & if any man [hears] My voice & [opens] the door, I will come in to him & will [dine] with him & he with Me.

To him [who] overcomes, I will grant to sit with Me [on] My throne, even [like] I also overcame & Am set down with My Father [on] His throne. He, [who] has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.]

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 The Preacher Searches to Find if There is Anything New

 

The Preacher Searches to Find if There is Anything New

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18            The Book of Ecclesiastes [in Smaller Chunks]

[These are] the words of the Preacher, [David's] son, [Jerusalem's] king. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. Vanity of vanities: all is vanity. [Psalm 39:5-8 [See,] You have made my days [like] the [width of a hand] & [my] age is nothing before You.

[Truly,] every man walks at his best state [in life, which] is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely, every man walks in a vain [resemblance of life.] Surely, they are [worried] in vain & he heaps up riches & [doesn't] know who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what [do] I wait for? My hope is in You.]

What [benefit does] a man have of all his labor, which he [engages in] under the sun? One generation passes away & another generation comes: but the earth abides forever. [Psalm 119:89-91 O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven forever. Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth & it abides. They continue this day, according to Your [rules:] for all are Your servants.]

Also, the sun arises & the sun goes down & [hurries] to [its] place where [it] arose. The wind goes toward the south & turns [around] to the north. It [whirls around] continually & the wind returns again according to [its cycles.]

All rivers run into the sea; yet the sea isn't full. The rivers return again to the place from [where] they [came.] All things are full of labor & man can't [comprehend] it. The eye isn't satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

[Matthew 13:15-17 For this people's heart [has grown coarse] & their ears are [hard] of hearing & they have closed their eyes; lest at any time they should see with their eyes & hear with their ears & should understand with their heart & should be converted & I should heal them.

But blessed are your eyes, for they see & your ears, for they hear. For [truly,] I say to you, That many prophets & righteous men have desired to see those things, [that] you see & haven't seen them & to hear those things, which you hear & haven't heard them.]

The [things] that have been, [are what] shall be. And that which is done, is [what] shall be done. And there is no new thing under the sun. Is there anything [of which] it may be said, See, this is new? It has already been, [in ancient times,] which was before us.

There is no [memory] of [previous] things. Neither is there any [memory] of things that are to come, with those, that shall come [afterward.] I, the Preacher, was king over Jerusalem, in Israel.

And I [focused] my heart to seek & search out [using] wisdom, [about] all things that are done under heaven. This [troubling research,] God has given to the sons of [men,] to be [engaged with it.] I have seen all the works that are done under the sun & [saw that,] all is vanity & [like trying to grab the wind.]

[What] is crooked, can't be made straight. And [what is lacking] can't be [counted.] I [contemplated within my] own heart, [Look,] I [have] come to great [status] & have gotten more wisdom than all [those who] have been before me in Jerusalem. [Yes,] my heart had [experienced] great wisdom & knowledge.

And I [have focused] my heart to [become familiar with] [the differences between:] wisdom, [insanity & foolishness.] I [realized] this is also [like trying to grab the wind.] For in much wisdom, is much grief. And he, [who] increases knowledge, [also] increases sorrow.

Proverbs 31:1-31 The Prophecy King Lemuel’s Mother Taught Him

 

The Prophecy King Lemuel’s Mother Taught Him

Proverbs 31:1-31                                   Proverbs [in Smaller Chunks]

[These are] the words of king Lemuel & the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? What, the son of my womb? What the son of my vows? [Isaiah 49:15 Can a woman forget her [nursing] child, that she shouldn’t have compassion on the son of her womb? [Yes,] they may forget, yet I won’t forget you.]

[Don’t] give your strength to women, nor your [paths to what destroys] kings. O Lemuel, it isn’t [good] for kings to drink wine; nor princes strong drink: lest they drink & forget the Law & [divert the] [fair] judgment of any of the afflicted.

Give strong drink to him, [who] is ready to perish & wine to those, [who have] heavy hearts. Let him drink & forget his poverty & [not] remember his misery [any] more.

In the [case] of all [those who are scheduled for] destruction, open your mouth for the dumb, [unable to speak for themselves.] Open your mouth, judge righteously & plead the [case] of the poor & needy.

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her [value] is far above rubies. Her [husband’s] heart safely [trusts] in her, so that he shall have no need [for plunder.] She will do good [for] him & not evil all the days of her life.

She seeks wool & flax & willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchants’ ships; [in that] she brings her food from afar. Also, she rises while it is [still] night & gives [food] to her household & a portion to her maidens.

She considers a field & buys it. [From] the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. She [clothes her body] with strength & strengthens her arms. She [realizes] that her merchandise is good & her [lamp doesn’t] go out [at] night.

She lays her hands [on] the spindle & her hands hold the [bobbin.] She stretches her hand out to the poor; [yes] she [reaches] her hand [out] to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet [cloaks.]

She makes herself [outer garments] of tapestry & her clothing is silk & purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes fine linen & sells it & delivers [sashes] to the merchant.

Strength & honor are her clothing & she shall rejoice in [a] time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom & in her tongue is the Law of kindness. She looks [after] the [paths] of her household & [doesn’t] eat the bread of idleness.

Her children [get] up & call her blessed & also her husband praises her. Many daughters have [behaved] virtuously, but you [excel] them all.

[Charm] is deceitful & beauty is vain: but a woman, [who] fears [respects] the Lord, shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands & let her own [deeds] praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 30:1-33 Agur’s Words of Prophecy

 

Agur’s Words of Prophecy

Proverbs 30:1-33                                      Proverbs [in Smaller Chunks]

[These are] the words & even the prophecy of Agur, [Jakeh’s] son. [This] man even [spoke] to Ithiel & Ucal. Surely, I am more brutish [& ignorant] than any man & [haven’t] the understanding of a man. [Psalm 73:22 I was so foolish & ignorant. I was [like an animal] before You.]

I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the Holy. Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? [Ephesians 4:7-10 But to everyone of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [For this reason,] He ascended up on high. He led [those] captive [from] captivity.

(Now that He ascended, what is it, but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He, [Who] descended is the same also [Who] ascended up far above all heavens, that He might [fulfill] all things.)]

Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who [has tied up] the waters [like] in a garment? Who [has] established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name & what is His Son’s Name, if you [can] tell [me?]

[John 3:13-16 And no man has ascended up to heaven, but He, [Who] came down from heaven, even the Son of Man, [Who] is in heaven. And [like] Moses lifted up the [snake] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: [so] that whoever] believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, [so] that [whoever] believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.]

Every Word of God is pure. He is a shield to [those, who] put their trust in Him. [Don’t] add to His Words, lest He [corrects] you & you [are] found [to be] a liar. [Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to every man, [who] hears the Word of the prophecy of this Book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this Book.

And if any man shall take away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God shall take away his [portion] out of the Book of Life & out of the Holy City & from the things, which are written in this Book.]

Two things I [requested] of you; [don’t deprive] me [of] them before I die. Remove vanity, [a.k.a. conceit,] & lies far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food, convenient for me, lest I [become] full & deny You & say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I [become] poor & steal & take the Name of my God in vain.

[Don’t] accuse a servant to his master, lest he curse you & [you’re] found guilty. There is a generation that [curses] their father & doesn’t bless their mother. There is a generation that [is] pure in their own eyes, [but aren’t] yet washed from their filthiness.

[Luke 18:12-14 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes, [a.k.a. donations,] of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, wouldn't lift up so much as his eyes to heaven but [struck his chest,] saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one [who] exalts himself, shall be [humbled;] and he [who humbles] himself shall be exalted.]

There is a generation O how [arrogant] their eyes are! Their eyelids are lifted up. [Isaiah 2:11-12 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled & the [arrogance] of men shall be [brought low] & the Lord Alone shall be exalted [on] that day. For the day of the Lord of Hosts shall be upon everyone [who] is proud & [conceited] & upon everyone who is lifted up, he shall be [humbled.]

There is a generation whose teeth are [like] swords & the teeth [of] their jaw [are like] knives, to devour the poor from off [of] the earth & the needy from among men.

The [leech] has 2 daughters, crying, Give, Give. There are 3 things that are never satisfied, [Yes,] 4 things [dont] say, [It’s] enough: The grave, the [childless] womb, the [ground] that isn't filled with water & the fire that [doesn’t] say, [It’s] enough.

The [child's] eye that  mocks his father & [refuses] to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall [pluck] it out & the young eagles shall eat it. There [are] 3 things [that] are too wonderful for me. [Yes,] 4 that I [don’t] know.

The [path] of an eagle in the air; the [path] of a [snake] upon a rock; the [path] of a ship in the midst of the sea & the [path] of a man with a [maiden.] [This] is the [path] of an adulterous woman. She [eats & wipes] her mouth & [says] I [haven’t] done [anything wicked.]

For 3 things, the earth is [upset] & for 4 things [that] it cannot bear: For a servant when he [is the ruler;] a fool when he is filled with [food;] for [an unfaithful] woman when she is married & [a] handmaid, [who] is [the] heir to her mistress.

There are 4 things [that] are little on the earth, but are [exceedingly] wise: The ants are a people, [a.k.a. a colony, that aren't] strong, yet they prepare their [food] in the summer.

[Proverbs 6:6-9 Go to the ant, you [lazy person] & consider her ways & be wise. Which having no guide, [supervisor,] or ruler, provides her [food] in the summer & gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you sleep, O [lazy person?] When will you arise out of your sleep?]

The [rock badgers] are [a] feeble [bunch], yet they make their houses in the rocks; the locusts have no king, yet they all go [out] in [groups] & the spider takes hold with her hands & is in king’s palaces.

There are 3 things [that move] well, [yes] 4 are [regal in their movement:] A lion [that] is strongest among beasts & [doesn’t] turn away [from] any; a greyhound; a [male] goat & also a king, against whom there is no [uprising.]

If you have done foolishly in lifting yourself up, or if you have thought evil, [then] lay your hand upon your mouth. Surely the churning of milk [produces] butter & [twisting] the nose [produces] blood: so forcing [others] to [anger, produces quarrels.]

Proverbs 29:1-27 About Wisdom, Flattery & the Sinful

 

About Wisdom, Flattery & the Sinful

Proverbs 29:1-27                                      Proverbs [in Smaller Chunks]

He, [who is corrected] often, [stubbornly stiffens] his neck & shall suddenly be destroyed without remedy. [2 Chronicles 36:15-17 And the Lord God of their [forefathers] sent His messengers to them, rising up [early] & sending [them;] because He had compassion on His people & on His dwelling place.

But they mocked the messengers of God & despised His Words & misused the prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, [until] there was no remedy.

Therefore [God] brought upon them the king of the Chaldeans, [a.k.a. Babylon,] who [struck down] their young men with the sword, in the sanctuary [of the Lord’s] house & had no compassion upon: young men, maidens, old [men, or those bent over because of] age. [God] gave them all into [Nebuchadnezzar’s] hand.]

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked rule, the people mourn. [Whoever loves] wisdom [makes] his father rejoice: but he, [who keeps] company with harlots, [wastes his wealth.]

By [justice,] the king establishes the land: but he, [who receives bribes] overthrows it. A man, [who flatters] his neighbor, spreads a net for his [neighbor’s] feet.

In the [sins] of an evil man, there is a [trap.] [Psalm 9:15 The heathen [have] sunk down in the pit that they made & their own foot is [caught] in the net [that] they hid.] But the righteous sing & rejoice.

The righteous [consider] the cause of the poor: but the wicked [ignore] it. Men, [who look down on those in authority, lead] a city into a [trap:] but wise men turn away [fury.] [Proverbs 11:11 By the blessing of the [righteous,] the city is [elevated] & by the mouth of the wicked, it is overthrown.]

If a wise man [argues] with a foolish man, there is no rest, whether he [yells or he] laughs. The bloodthirsty hate the [righteous:] but the just seek his [well-being.]

A fool [utters] all [that's on] his mind: but a wise man [holds it back until later.] If a ruler [pays attention] to lies, all his servants [appear to be] wicked. [When] the poor & the deceitful man meet together: the Lord [enlightens] both their eyes.

*The King, [who] faithfully judges the poor, His throne shall be established forever. [Psalm 72:2-5 He shall judge your people with righteousness & your poor with [justice.] The mountains shall bring peace to the people & the little hills, [through] righteousness.

He shall judge the poor people & He shall save the children of the needy & shall break into pieces the oppressor. They shall fear [respect] You, as long as the sun & moon endure throughout all generations.]

The rod & [discipline] give wisdom: but a child left to himself [brings] his mother to shame. When the wicked are multiplied, [sin] increases: but the righteous shall see their [downfall.]

[Proverbs 21:12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.]

Correct your son & he shall give you rest; [yes,] he shall [bring] delight to your soul. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he, [who] keeps the Law is happy.

[Psalm 74:9 We don’t see our signs: there is no [longer] any prophet: neither is there among us, any [who] know how long.] A servant [won't] be corrected by words: [although] he [understands,] he won't answer.

[Do] you [see] a man, [who] is hasty in his words? There is more hope [in] a fool, than [in] him. He [who pampers] his servant from [childhood,] shall have him become [like] his son at the [end.] An angry man stirs up [discord] & a furious man [abounds in sin.]

A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall [lift up] the humble in spirit. [Matthew 23:12 And [whoever] shall exalt himself shall be [humbled] & [whoever] humbles himself shall be exalted, [a.k.a. lifted up].]

[Whoever] is a [thief’s] partner, [hates] his own [life.] He hears cursing & [doesn’t betray who says] it. The fear [respect] of man brings a [trap:] but [whoever puts] his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Many seek the ruler’s [approval:] but every man’s [justice] comes from the Lord. [A dishonest] man is an abomination to the [honest] & he, [who] is [righteous] in the [path,] is an abomination to the wicked.