His

Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

…a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.

These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.

To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

What does the worker gain from his toil?

…and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.

I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

For the youth has come from the prison to the kingship, though he was born poor in his own kingdom.

When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.

As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.

As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.

Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, with much sorrow, sickness, and anger.

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.

Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

Furthermore, God has given riches and wealth to every man, and He has enabled him to enjoy them, to accept his lot, and to rejoice in his labor. This is a gift from God.

For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

For a man seldom considers the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.

…even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?

A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.

In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

In my futile life I have seen both of these: A righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.

Who is like the wise man? Who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed.

Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.

Whoever keeps his command will come to no harm, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure.

As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

All this I have seen, applying my mind to every deed that is done under the sun; there is a time when one man lords it over another to his own detriment.

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence.

So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.

So I commended the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be merry. For this joy will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.

When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the task that one performs on the earth—though his eyes do not see sleep in the day or even in the night—

I saw every work of God, and that a man is unable to comprehend the work that is done under the sun. Despite his efforts to search it out, he cannot find its meaning; even if the wise man claims to know, he is unable to comprehend.

For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.

Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.

…when men fear the heights and dangers of the road, when the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caper berry shrivels—for then man goes to his eternal home and mourners walk the streets.

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine.

Take me away with you—let us hurry! May the king bring me to his chambers. We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. It is only right that they adore you.

While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

He has brought me to the house of wine, and his banner over me is love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.

My beloved is mine and I am his; he pastures his flock among the lilies.

All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.

All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.

King Solomon has made his carriage out of the timber of Lebanon.

Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

Come out, O daughters of Zion, and gaze at King Solomon, wearing the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding—the day of his heart’s rejoicing.

Awake, O north wind, and come, O south wind. Breathe on my garden and spread the fragrance of its spices. Let my beloved come into his garden and taste its choicest fruits.

My beloved put his hand to the latch; my heart pounded for him.

I opened for my beloved, but he had turned and gone. My heart sank at his departure. I sought him but did not find him. I called, but he did not answer.

His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.

His head is purest gold; his hair is wavy and black as a raven.

His eyes are like doves beside the streams of water, bathed in milk and mounted like jewels.

His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.

His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.

His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.

His arms are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is polished ivory bedecked with sapphires.

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

His mouth is most sweet; he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies.

I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

His left hand is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.

Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.