Study Desk

It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?

Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

[One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever.

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them: I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour, and this was my portion from all my labour.

And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly; for what shall the man [do] that cometh after the king?—that which hath already been done.

For there shall be no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; because everything is already forgotten in the days which come. And how dieth the wise even as the fool?

And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

For there is a man whose labour hath been with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill, and who leaveth it to a man that hath not laboured therein, to be his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

For what will man have of all his labour and of the striving of his heart, wherewith he hath wearied himself under the sun?

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

There is nothing good for man, but that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

For who can eat, or who be eager, more than I?

For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good in God's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;

I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it, nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.