Study Desk

I said to myself, “See, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge.”

I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom— and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

I said to myself, “This happens so that God may test the children of Adam and they may see for themselves that they are like animals.”

I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies?

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.

Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.

Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Wisdom is as good as an inheritanceand an advantage to those who see the sun,

Only see this: I have discovered that God made people upright, but they pursued many schemes.”

Light is sweet,and it is pleasing for the eyes to see the sun.

on the day when the guardians of the house tremble,and the strong men stoop,the women who grind grain cease because they are few,and the ones who watch through the windows see dimly,

My dove, in the clefts of the rock,in the crevices of the cliff,let me see your face,let me hear your voice;for your voice is sweet,and your face is lovely.

But my dove, my virtuous one, is unique;she is the favorite of her mother,perfect to the one who gave her birth.Women see her and declare her fortunate;queens and concubines also, and they sing her praises:

I came down to the walnut groveto see the blossoms of the valley,to see if the vines were buddingand the pomegranates blooming.

Let’s go early to the vineyards;let’s see if the vine has budded,if the blossom has opened,if the pomegranates are in bloom.There I will give you my caresses.

At their feasts they have lyre, harp,tambourine, flute, and wine.They do not perceive the Lord’s actions,and they do not see the work of his hands.

to those who say:“Let him hurry up and do his work quicklyso that we can see it!Let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take placeso that we can know it!”

Make the minds of these people dull;deafen their ears and blind their eyes;otherwise they might see with their eyesand hear with their ears,understand with their minds,turn back, and be healed.

Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.

They will look toward the earth and see only distress, darkness, and the gloom of affliction, and they will be driven into thick darkness.