The Words of Agur 30:1 The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh; an oracle: This man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ukal: 30:2 Surely I am more brutish than any other human being, and I do not have human understanding; 30:3 I have not learned wisdom, nor do I have knowledge of the Holy One. 30:4 Who has ascended
The Words of Lemuel 31:1 The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: 31:2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 31:3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or
1:1 The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: Introduction: Utter Futility 1:2 “Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!” Futility Illustrated from Nature 1:3 What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth? 1:4 A generation comes and a generation goes, but the earth remains the same through the ages. 1:5 The
Futility of Self-Indulgent Pleasure 2:1 I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile. 2:2 I said of partying, “It is folly,” and of self-indulgent pleasure, “It accomplishes nothing!” 2:3 I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind
A Time for All Events in Life 3:1 For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted; 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break
Evil Oppression on Earth 4:1 So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurs on earth. This is what I saw: The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them; no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors. 4:2 So I considered those who are dead and gone more fortunate than those who are still alive. 4:3
Rash Vows 5:1 Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools, for they do not realize that they are doing wrong. 5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God
Not Everyone Enjoys Life 6:1 Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people: 6:2 God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor – instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and
7:1 A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. 7:2 It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart. 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good
Human Government Demonstrates Limitations of Wisdom 8:1 Who is a wise person? Who knows the solution to a problem? A person’s wisdom brightens his appearance, and softens his harsh countenance. 8:2 Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him. 8:3 Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste – do