Study Desk

That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what has gone by.

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for he has appointed a time for every matter, and for every work.

I said in my heart with regard to human beings that God is testing them to show that they are but animals.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than the sacrifice offered by fools; for they do not know how to keep from doing evil.

Never be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven, and you upon earth; therefore let your words be few.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow.

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake; why should God be angry at your words, and destroy the work of your hands?

With many dreams come vanities and a multitude of words; but fear God.

This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot.

Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God.

For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.

those to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that they lack nothing of all that they desire, yet God does not enable them to enjoy these things, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous ill.

Consider the work of God; who can make straight what he has made crooked?

In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that will come after them.

It is good that you should take hold of the one, without letting go of the other; for the one who fears God shall succeed with both.

I found more bitter than death the woman who is a trap, whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters; one who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is taken by her.

See, this alone I found, that God made human beings straightforward, but they have devised many schemes.

Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in fear before him,

but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

So I commend enjoyment, for there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat, and drink, and enjoy themselves, for this will go with them in their toil through the days of life that God gives them under the sun.