Study Desk

But it will not be well for the evil-doer; he will not make his days long like a shade, because he has no fear before God.

So I gave praise to joy, because there is nothing better for a man to do under the sun than to take meat and drink and be happy; for that will be with him in his work all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.

Then I saw all the work of God, and that man may not get knowledge of the work which is done under the sun; because, if a man gives hard work to the search he will not get knowledge, and even if the wise man seems to be coming to the end of his search, still he will be without knowledge.

Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.

Now there was in the town a poor, wise man, and he, by his wisdom, kept the town safe. But no one had any memory of that same poor man.

Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength, but the poor man's wisdom is not respected, and his words are not given a hearing.

The words of a wise man's mouth are sweet to all, but the lips of a foolish man are his destruction.

The first words of his mouth are foolish, and the end of his talk is evil crime.

But even if a man's life is long and he has joy in all his years, let him keep in mind the dark days, because they will be great in number. Whatever may come is to no purpose.

And he is in fear of that which is high, and danger is in the road, and the tree is white with flower, and the least thing is a weight, and desire is at an end, because man goes to his last resting-place, and those who are sorrowing are in the streets;

The Preacher made search for words which were pleasing, but his writing was in words upright and true.

This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.

Let him give me the kisses of his mouth: for his love is better than wine.

Take me to you, and we will go after you: the king has taken me into his house. We will be glad and full of joy in you, we will give more thought to your love than to wine: rightly are they your lovers.

While the king is seated at his table, my spices send out their perfume.

As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my loved one among the sons. I took my rest under his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

He took me to the house of wine, and his flag over me was love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand is round about me.

My loved one is mine, and I am his: he takes his food among the flowers.

All of them armed with swords, trained in war; every man has his sword at his side, because of fear in the night.