- 1 Ecclesiastes 1 1 Ecclesiastes 1 (18 verses in the MT) opens: The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. The middle of the chapter continues: Is there thing whereof it may be said, See, this new? it has been already of old time, which was before us. It closes: For in much wisdom much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
- 2 Ecclesiastes 2 2 Ecclesiastes 2 (26 verses in the MT) opens: I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove you with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also vanity. The middle of the chapter continues: The wise man's eyes in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. It closes: For giveth to a man that 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 good before God. This also vanity and vexation of spirit.
- 3 Ecclesiastes 3 3 Ecclesiastes 3 (22 verses in the MT) opens: To every a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: The middle of the chapter continues: I know that no good in them, but for to rejoice, and to do good in his life. It closes: Wherefore I perceive that nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
- 4 Ecclesiastes 4 4 Ecclesiastes 4 (17 verses in the MT) opens: So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors power; but they had no comforter. The middle of the chapter continues: Two better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. It closes: Keep your foot when you goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
- 5 Ecclesiastes 5 5 Ecclesiastes 5 (19 verses in the MT) opens: Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter thing before God: for God in heaven, and you upon earth: therefore let your words be few. The middle of the chapter continues: When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good to the owners thereof, saving the beholding with their eyes? It closes: For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth in the joy of his heart.
- 6 Ecclesiastes 6 6 Ecclesiastes 6 (12 verses in the MT) opens: There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it common among men: The middle of the chapter continues: All the labour of man for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. It closes: For who knoweth what good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
- 7 Ecclesiastes 7 7 Ecclesiastes 7 (29 verses in the MT) opens: A good name better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth. The middle of the chapter continues: All have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked that prolongeth in his wickedness. It closes: Lo, this only have I found, that God has made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
- 8 Ecclesiastes 8 8 Ecclesiastes 8 (17 verses in the MT) opens: Who as the wise ? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed. The middle of the chapter continues: All this have I seen, and applied my heart to every work that is done under the sun: a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. It closes: Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek out, yet he shall not find ; yea further; though a wise think to know , yet shall he.
- 9 Ecclesiastes 9 9 Ecclesiastes 9 (18 verses in the MT) opens: For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred all before them. The middle of the chapter continues: Whatsoever your hand findeth to do, do with your might; for no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither you goest. It closes: Wisdom better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
- 10 Ecclesiastes 10 10 Ecclesiastes 10 (20 verses in the MT) opens: Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom honour. The middle of the chapter continues: Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. It closes: Curse not the king, no not in your thought; and curse not the rich in your bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which has wings shall tell the matter.
- 11 Ecclesiastes 11 11 Ecclesiastes 11 (10 verses in the MT) opens: Cast your bread upon the waters: for you shall find it after many days. The middle of the chapter continues: In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening withhold not your hand: for you knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both alike good. It closes: Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh: for childhood and youth vanity.
- 12 Ecclesiastes 12 12 Ecclesiastes 12 (14 verses in the MT) opens: Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them; The middle of the chapter continues: Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all vanity. It closes: For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good, or whether evil.