Ecclesiastes 2:14–18

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the foole, and the brutish person perish, and leaue their wealth to others.

²⁴Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.

^24*Wisedome is before him that hath vnderstanding: but the eyes of a foole are in the ends of the earth.

¹¹¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

¹¹¶ I returned, and saw vnder the Sunne, That the race is not to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of vnderstanding, nor yet fauour to men of skil; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

¹¹But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

¹¹But he that hateth his brother, is in darknesse, and walketh in darknesse, and knoweth not whither hee goeth, because that darknesse hath blinded his eyes.

¹⁹For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

^19*For that which befalleth the sonnes of men, befalleth beastes, euen one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea they haue all one breath, so that a man hath no preheminence aboue a beast; for all is vanitie.

¹FOR all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

²All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

³This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

¹¶ ^†For all this I considered in my heart, euen to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their workes, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either loue, or hatred, by all that is before them.

^2*All things come alike to all: there is one euent to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the cleane, and to the vncleane; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner, and hee that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

³This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one euent vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they goe to the dead.

²A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left.

³Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

²A wise mans heart is at his right hand: but a fooles heart at his left.

^3†Yea also when hee that is a foole walketh by the way, his wisedome faileth him, and hee saith to euery one that he is a foole.

⁶¶ Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

⁶¶ Yea though he liue a thousand yeeres twice told, yet hath he seene no good: Doe not all goe to one place?

²¶ It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

²¶ It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the liuing will lay it to his heart.

¹WHO is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

¹¶ ^*†Who is as the Wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a mans wisedome maketh his face to shine, and the boldnes of his face shalbe changed.

¹⁶Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

^16*Then said I, Wisedome is better then strength: neuerthelesse, the poore mans wisedome is despised, and his words are not heard.

⁸The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

⁸The wisedome of the prudent is to vnderstand his way: but the folly of fooles is deceit.

¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

^10*†More to bee desired are they then gold, yea, then much fine gold: sweeter also then hony, and the hony combe.

⁸For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

⁸For what hath the wise more then the foole? what hath the poore, that knoweth to walke before the liuing?

¹⁴I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

¹²Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

¹²Behold, I haue done according to thy word: loe, I haue giuen thee a wise and an vnderstanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like vnto thee.

¹⁶I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

¹⁶I communed with mine owne heart, saying, Loe, I am come to great estate, and haue gotten ^*more wisedome then all they that haue beene before me in Ierusalem: yea my heart ^†had great experience of wisedome & knowledge.

Verse text is unavailable.

Verse text is unavailable.

²Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

^2*Uanitie of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.

¹⁶For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

¹⁶For there is no remembrance of the wise, more then of the foole for euer; seeing that which now is, in the dayes to come shall be forgotten; and how dieth the wise man? as the foole.

¹¹There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.

¹¹ There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there bee any remembrance of things that are to come, with those that shall come after.

⁵For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

⁵For the liuing know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither haue they any more a reward, for the memorie of them is forgotten.

⁸Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

⁸Now there arose vp a new King ouer Egypt, which knew not Ioseph.

²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

²⁷And as it is appointed vnto men once to die, but after this the Iudgement:

¹⁶¶ Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.

¹⁶¶ Then they that feared the LORD, spake often one to another, and the LORD hearkened and heard it, & a booke of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the LORD, & that thought vpon his name.

¹²Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

¹²Shall thy wonders be knowen in the darke? and thy righteousnesse in the land of forgetfulnesse?

³³And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?

³³And the king lamented ouer Abner, and said, Died Abner as a foole dieth?

¹⁴The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

^14*The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.

⁸For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

⁸For what hath the wise more then the foole? what hath the poore, that knoweth to walke before the liuing?

⁶And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

⁶And Ioseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

¹⁶For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

^16†For the winde passeth ouer it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the foole, and the brutish person perish, and leaue their wealth to others.

¹¹Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

^11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.

²Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

^2*Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the liuing which are yet aliue.

⁸And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

^8‖And it came to passe when the Sunne did arise, that God prepared a vehement East wind; and the Sunne beat vpon the head of Ionah, that hee fainted, and wished in himselfe to die, and said, It is better for me to die, then to liue.

⁴¶ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

⁴¶ But he himselfe went a dayes iourney into the wildernesse, and came and sate downe vnder a Iuniper tree: and hee requested ^†for himselfe that hee might die, and sayd, It is enough, now O LORD, take away my life: for I am not better then my fathers.

¹⁴I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴I haue seene all the workes that are done vnder the Sunne, and behold, all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

²²For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

^22*For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart wherein hee hath laboured vnder the Sunne?

¹⁶¶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

¹⁶¶ And moreouer, I sawe vnder the Sunne the place of iudgement, that wickednesse was there; and the place of righteousnesse, that iniquitie was there.

⁹¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁹¶ ^†Better is the sight of the eyes, then the wandering of the desire: this is also vanitie and vexation of spirit.

¹⁴So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me.

^14††So the spirit lifted me vp, and tooke me away, and I went in bitternesse, in the heate of my spirit, but the hand of the LORD was strong vpon mee.

³Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

³Why doest thou shew me iniquity, & cause me to behold grieuance? for spoiling and violence are before me: & there are that raise vp strife and contention.

¹⁴¶ Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed.

¹⁵Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad.

¹⁶And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide;

¹⁷Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me.

¹⁸Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame?

¹⁴¶ Cursed be the day wherein I was borne: let not the day wherein my mother bare mee, be blessed.

^15*Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying: A man child is borne vnto thee, making him very glad.

^16*And let that man be as the cities which the LORD ouerthrew and repented not: and let him heare the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noonetide,

¹⁷Because he slew me not from the wombe: or that my mother might haue beene my graue, and her wombe to be alwaies great with me.

^18*Wherefore came I forth out of the wombe to see labour and sorrow, that my daies should be consumed with shame?

¹³O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

¹³O that thou wouldest hide mee in the graue, that thou wouldest keepe me secret, vntill thy wrath bee past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me.

²⁰Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

²¹Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

²²Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

²⁰Wherefore is light giuen to him that is in misery, and life vnto the bitter in soule?

²¹Which ^†long for death, but it commeth not, and dig for it more then for hid treasures:

²²Which reioice exceedingly, and are glad when they can finde the graue?

¹⁵So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.

¹⁶I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

¹⁵So that my soule chooseth strangling: and death rather ^†then my life.

¹⁶I loath it, I would not liue alway: let me alone, for my dayes are vanitie.

³Therefore now, O Lord, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

³Therefore now, O LORD, Take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die then to liue.

¹⁵And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

¹⁵And if thou deale thus with mee, kill me, I pray thee out of hand, if I haue found fauour in thy sight, and let me not see my wretchednesse.

⁴⁷Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

⁴⁷Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vaine?

²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

²⁴Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

²⁵And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;

²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, hauing a desire to depart, & to bee with Christ, which is farre better.

²⁴Neuertheles, to abide in the flesh, is more needfull for you.

²⁵And hauing this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all, for your furtherance and ioy of faith,

⁶Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

^6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

¹⁰For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the foole, and the brutish person perish, and leaue their wealth to others.

²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

²⁸For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

²⁷Then he said, I pray thee therefore father, that thou wouldest send him to my fathers house:

²⁸For I haue fiue brethren, that he may testifie vnto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

¹⁰According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

¹⁰According to the grace of God which is giuen vnto mee, as a wise master builder I haue laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let euery man take heede how hee buildeth thereupon.

¹¹Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

¹²Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

¹³Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

¹¹Wherefore the LORD said vnto Solomon; Forasmuch as this ^†is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my Couenant, and my Statutes which I haue commanded thee, ^*I wil surely rend the kingdome from thee, and will giue it to thy seruant.

¹²Notwithstanding in thy dayes I wil not doe it, for Dauid thy fathers sake: but I wil rend it out of the hand of thy sonne.

¹³Howbeit, I wil not rend away all the kingdome: but wil giue one tribe to thy sonne, for Dauid my seruants sake, and for Ierusalems sake, which I haue chosen.

²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

³⁰Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

²⁹For I know this, that after my departing shall grieuous wolues enter in among you, not sparing the flocke.

³⁰Also of your owne selues shal men arise, speaking peruerse things, to draw away disciples after them.

¹³And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

¹³And I gaue my heart to seeke and search out by wisedome, concerning all things that are done vnder heauen: this sore trauell hath God giuen to the sonnes of man, ^‖to be exercised therewith.

³What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

^3*What profite hath a man of all his labour which hee taketh vnder the Sunne?

²⁶For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

^26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.

⁴I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

⁵I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

⁶I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:

⁷I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

⁸I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

⁹So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.

⁴I made me great workes, I builded mee houses, I planted mee Uineyards.

⁵I made mee gardens & orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinde of fruits.

⁶I made mee pooles of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth foorth trees:

^7†I got me seruants and maydens, and had seruants borne in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattell, aboue all that were in Ierusalem before me.

^8*†I gathered mee also siluer and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the prouinces: I gate mee men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sonnes of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

⁹So I was great, and increased more then all that were before mee in Ierusalem; also my wisedome remained with me.

³Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

^3*Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne.

¹³There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

¹⁴But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹³There is a sore euill which I haue seene vnder the Sun, namely riches kept for the owners therof to their hurt.

¹⁴But those riches perish by euill trauell; and he begetteth a sonne, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁸¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁸¶ ^*††Behold that which I haue seene: It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his labour that he taketh vnder the sunne, all the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for it is his portion.

⁹Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

^9†*Liue ioyfully with the wife, whom thou louest, all the dayes of the life of thy vanitie, which he hath giuen thee vnder the Sunne, all the dayes of thy vanitie: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest vnder the Sunne.

²⁰But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

²⁰But God said vnto him, Thou foole, this night ^†thy soule shal be required of thee: then whose shal those things be which thou hast prouided?

¹⁴From men which are thy hand, O Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.

^14‖‖From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which haue their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: They are full of children, and leaue the rest of their substance to their babes.