Study Desk

As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.

Don't make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.

When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.

Don't let your mouth make you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.

Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.

Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God.

God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.

God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could ever want, but then he doesn't give them the chance to enjoy these things. They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth! This is meaningless—a sickening tragedy.

Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.

Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked?

Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.

Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap more bitter than death. Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners will be caught in her snare.

But I did find this: God created people to be virtuous, but they have each turned to follow their own downward path."

Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would.

But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off.

The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. Not even the wisest people discover everything, no matter what they claim.