Study Desk

Whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet.

By mere words servants are not disciplined, for though they understand, they will not give heed.

Do you see someone who is hasty in speech? There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.

Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire that never says, "Enough."

Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand:

For as pressing milk produces curds, and pressing the nose produces blood, so pressing anger produces strife.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;

Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.

She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls.

She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.

For in much wisdom is much vexation, and those who increase knowledge increase sorrow.

I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, until I might see what was good for mortals to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

I made great works; I built houses and planted vineyards for myself;

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and delights of the flesh, and many concubines.

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.

So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly; for what can the one do who comes after the king? Only what has already been done.

For there is no enduring remembrance of the wise or of fools, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How can the wise die just like fools?

So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

—and who knows whether they will be wise or foolish? Yet they will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.

because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.