Study Desk

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shal be after him vnder the sunne?

It is better to goe to the house of mourning, then to goe to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men, and the liuing will lay it to his heart.

All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnes, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednes.

Who is as the Wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a mans wisedome maketh his face to shine, and the boldnes of his face shalbe changed.

Bee not hastie to goe out of his sight: stand not in an euill thing, for he doeth whatsoeuer pleaseth him.

All this haue I seene, and applied my heart vnto euery worke that is done vnder the Sunne: there is a time wherein one man ruleth ouer another to his owne hurt.

Though a sinner doe euill an hundred times, and his dayes be prolonged; yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that feare God, which feare before him.

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall hee prolong his dayes which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.

When I applied mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the busines that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)

For man also knoweth not his time, as the fishes that are taken in an euil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sonnes of men snared in an euill time, when it falleth suddenly vpon them.

Now there was found in it a poore wise man, and hee by his wisedome deliuered the citie; yet no man remembred that same poore man.

Then said I, Wisedome is better then strength: neuerthelesse, the poore mans wisedome is despised, and his words are not heard.

A wise mans heart is at his right hand: but a fooles heart at his left.

Yea also when hee that is a foole walketh by the way, his wisedome faileth him, and hee saith to euery one that he is a foole.

The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous madnesse.

Also when they shalbe afraid of that which is high, and feares shall bee in the way, and the Almond tree shall flourish, and the grashopper shall be a burden, and desire shall faile: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners goe about the streets:

Let vs heare the conclusion of the whole matter: Feare God, and keepe his commandements, for this is the whole duetie of man.

Let him kisse mee with the kisses of his mouth: for thy Loue is better then wine.

Draw me, we will runne after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and reioyce in thee, we wil remember thy loue more then wine: the vpright loue thee.