Ecclesiastes 2:20–23

¹⁹If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

¹⁹If in this life only we haue hope in Christ, wee are of all men most miserable.

³That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

⁴For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

³That no man should be mooued by these afflictions: for your selues know that we are appointed therunto.

⁴For verily when wee were with you, we told you before, that we should suffer tribulation, euen as it came to passe and ye know.

⁸For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

⁹But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

¹⁰Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;

⁸For we would not, brethren, haue you ignorant of our trouble which came to vs in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, aboue strength, in so much that we dispaired euen of life.

⁹But we had the ^‖sentence of death in our selues, that we should not trust in our selues, but in God which raiseth the dead.

¹⁰Who deliuered vs from so great a death, and doeth deliuer: in whom we trust that he will yet deliuer vs:

¹⁴And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

¹⁴And God Almightie giue you mercie before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Beniamin: ^‖If I be bereaued of my children, I am bereaued.

¹¹My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

¹²They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

¹³If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

¹⁴I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

¹⁵And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

¹¹My dayes are past, my purposes are broken off, euen ^†the thoughts of my heart:

¹²They change the night into day: the light is ^†short, because of darknes.

¹³If I waite, the graue is mine house: I haue made my bedde in the darknesse.

¹⁴I haue ^†said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worme, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

¹⁵And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

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.

⁷And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

^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.

⁷And now LORD, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

¹⁸¶ Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

¹⁷Therefore I hated life, because the worke that is wrought vnder the Sunne is grieuous vnto mee: for all is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

¹⁸¶ ^†Yea I hated all my labour which I had taken vnder the Sunne: because I should leaue it vnto the man that shalbe after mee.

²⁰¶ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.

²¹And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

²⁰¶ And thus did Hezekiah throughout al Iudah, and wrought that which was good and right, and trueth before the LORD his God.

²¹And in euery worke that he began in the seruice of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandements to seeke his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

²But did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.

³¶ For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.

⁴Also he built altars in the house of the Lord, whereof the Lord had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

⁵And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.

⁶And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.

⁷And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:

⁸Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

⁹So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel.

²But did that which was euil in the sight of the LORD, like vnto the abominations of the heathen, ^*whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

³¶ For ^†hee built againe the high places, which Hezekiah his father had ^*broken downe, and he reared vp altars for Baalim, and made groues, and worshipped all the host of heauen, and serued them.

⁴Also hee built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had saide, ^*In Ierusalem shall my Name be for euer.

⁵And he built altars for all the host of heauen, in the two Courts of the house of the LORD.

⁶And he caused his children to passe through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he obserued times, and vsed inchantments, and vsed witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much euill in the sight of the LORD, to prouoke him to anger.

⁷And hee set a carued image (the idole which he had made) in the house of God, of which God had said to Dauid, and to Solomon his sonne: In ^*this house, and in Ierusalem which I haue chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my Name for euer.

⁸Neither will I any more remoue the foot ^*of Israel from out of the land which I haue appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to doe all that I haue commanded them, according to the whole Law, and the statutes, and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

⁹So Manasseh made Iudah, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem to erre, and to doe worse then the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel.

²And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

²And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the wayes of Dauid his father, and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left.

¹⁸And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

¹⁸And there was no Passeouer like to that, kept in Israel, from the dayes of Samuel the Prophet: neither did all the Kings of Israel keepe such a Passeouer, as Iosiah kept, and the Priests and the Leuites, and all Iudah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Ierusalem.

⁵¶ Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God.

⁶Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

⁷Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

⁸Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

⁹¶ Jehoiachin was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord.

¹⁰And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the Lord, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

⁵¶ Iehoiakim was twentie and fiue yeres old when he began to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeeres in Ierusalem: and hee did that which was euill in the sight of the LORD his God.

⁶Against him came vp Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, and bound him in ^‖fetters to cary him to Babylon.

^7*Nebuchadnezzar also caried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

⁸Now the rest of the acts of ^‖Iehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the booke of the Kings of Israel and Iudah: and Iehoiachin his sonne reigned in his stead.

⁹¶ ^*Iehoiachin was eight yeeres old when hee began to reigne, and hee reigned three moneths and ten dayes in Ierusalem, and hee did that which was euill in the sight of the LORD.

¹⁰And ^†when the yeere was expired, King Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the ^†goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made ^‖Zedekiah his brother, king ouer Iudah and Ierusalem.

¹⁸Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

¹⁸Wisedome is better then weapons of warre: but one sinner destroyeth much good.

¹⁵Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

¹⁵Shalt thou reigne because thou closest thy selfe in cedar? did not thy father eate and drinke, and doe iudgment and iustice, and then it was wel with him?

¹⁷But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

^17‖But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy couetousnesse, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence to doe it.

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?

²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

² It is vaine for you to rise vp early, to sit vp late, to eate the bread of sorrowes: for so hee giueth his beloued sleepe.

⁷Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

⁷Casting all your care vpon him, for he careth for you.

⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

⁸And hauing food and raiment let vs be therewith content.

⁹What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

^9*What profite hath hee that worketh, in that wherein he laboureth?

⁶Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

^6*Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it selfe: sufficient vnto the day is the euill thereof.

⁶Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁶Bee carefull for nothing: but in euery thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiuing, let your request be made knowen vnto God.

⁸There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

⁸There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.

¹⁰He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹⁰Hee that loueth siluer shall not be satisfied with siluer; nor he that loueth abundance, with increase: this is also vanitie.

¹¹When goods increase, they are increased that eate them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, sauing the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹⁷All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁷All his dayes also hee eateth in darkenesse, and he hath much sorrowe, and wrath with his sicknesse.

⁷All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

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

^7†All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

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

¹⁵Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

^15*Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.

²⁶For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

²⁶For what is a man profited, if hee shal gaine the whole world, and lose his owne soule? Or what shall a man giue in exchange for his soule?

¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.

¹¹Giue vs this day our daily bread.

²²¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

²²¶ And he said vnto his disciples, Therefore I say vnto you, ^*Take no thought for your life what yee shall eate, neither for the body what yee shall put on.

²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

²⁹And seeke not yee what yee shall eate, or what ye shall drinke, ^‖neither be ye of doubtfull minde.

²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁵Therfore I say vnto you, ^*Take no thought for your life, what yee shall eate, or what ye shall drinke, nor yet for your body, what yee shall put on: Is not the life more then meate? and the body then raiment?

²⁶He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

^26††Hee that laboureth, laboureth for himselfe; for his mouth craueth it of him.

¹MAN that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

¹¶ Man that is borne of a woman, is ^†of few dayes, and full of trouble.

⁷Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

⁷Yet man is borne vnto ^‖trouble, as ^†the sparkes flie vpward.

¹³When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

¹⁴Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

¹³When I say, My bed shal comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint:

¹⁴Then thou skarest mee with dreames, and terrifiest me through visions.

²It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

² It is vaine for you to rise vp early, to sit vp late, to eate the bread of sorrowes: for so hee giueth his beloued sleepe.

⁶I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

⁷Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies.

^6‖I am weary with my groning, all the night make I my bed to swim: I water my couch with my teares.

⁷Mine eie is consumed because of griefe; it waxeth olde because of all mine enemies.

²²Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

²²Confirming the soules of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, aud that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdome of God.

¹⁸¶ Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

¹⁸¶ ^‖Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musicke brought before him, and his sleepe went from him.

¹⁸For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

¹⁸For in much wisedome is much griefe: and hee that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

¹²The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹²The sleepe of a labouring man is sweete, whether he eate little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleepe.

¹ON that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

¹¶ On that night ^†could not the King sleepe, and hee commaunded to bring the booke of Records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king.

⁹And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

⁹And Iacob said vnto Pharaoh, ^*The dayes of the yeeres of my pilgrimage are an hundred & thirtie yeres: few and euill haue the dayes of the yeeres of my life bene, and haue not attained vnto the dayes of the yeeres of the life of my fathers, in the dayes of their pilgrimage.

⁴For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

⁴For day and night thy hand was heauy vpon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

²In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

³I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

⁴Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

^2†In the day of my trouble, I sought the LORD; my sore ranne in the night, and ceased not: my soule refused to be comforted.

³I remembred God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was ouerwhelmed. Selah.

⁴Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speake.

¹⁵Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

¹⁵Make vs glad according to the dayes wherein thou hast afflicted vs: and the yeeres wherein we haue seene euil.

⁷For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

⁸Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

⁹For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

¹⁰The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

⁷For we are consumed by thine anger: and by thy wrath are we troubled.

⁸Thou hast set our iniquities before thee: our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance.

^9†‖For all our dayes are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our yeeres as a tale that is told.

^10†The dayes of our yeres are threescore yeeres and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourescore yeeres, yet is their strength labour and sorrow: for it is soone cut off, and we flie away.