Study Desk

I have seen the burden that God has laid on men to occupy them.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

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

I know that everything God does will remain forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God works that men should revere Him.

What exists has already been, and what will be has already been, for God will call to account what has passed.

I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every deed."

I said to myself, "As for the sons of men, God tests them so that they may see for themselves that they are but beasts."

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Do not be quick to speak, and do not let your heart hastily utter a word before God. After all, God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.

Do not let your mouth cause your body to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

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.

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 evil.

Consider the work of God: Who can straighten what He has bent?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider this: God has made one of these along with the other, so that a man cannot discover anything that will come after him.

It is good to grasp the one and not let the other slip from your hand. For he who fears God will follow both warnings.

And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God will escape her, but the sinner will be ensnared.