Study Desk

Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king with his army around him.

The words of King Lemuel-an oracle that his mother taught him:

Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also came to realize that one fate overcomes them both.

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.

Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

Nothing is better for man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God.

To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

What does the worker gain from his toil?

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

I have seen that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will come after him?

I saw that all labor and success spring from a man's envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: "For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?" This too is futile-a miserable task.

For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

For the youth has come from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?

As a man came from his mother's womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.