The Gospel of Mark (Part Seven)

Life Light: Gospel of John

Journey Through Philippians and Philemon

Seeing the World With God’s Eyes

Psalms 6-10: Your Summer in the Psalms

Islands, Tides, and the Deep: A Marriage Message From the Sea

Pawprints & Prayers: Dog Devotions on Comfort and Compassion

From Lament to Hope: Wellbeing and Happiness in the Psalms

When You Start a Fast

The Image of the Invisible God

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="ECC.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">I saw the tears of the oppressed&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">and they have no comforter;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">power was on the side of their oppressors&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">and they have no comforter.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.4.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">And I declared that the dead,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">who had already died,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">are happier than the living,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">who are still alive.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.4.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">But better than both</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">is the one who has never been born,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">who has not seen the evil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">that is done under the sun.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.4.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person&#8217;s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.4.4"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Fools fold their hands</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="content">and ruin themselves.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.4.5"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Better one handful with tranquillity</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">than two handfuls with toil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">and chasing after the wind.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.4.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.4.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">There was a man all alone;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">he had neither son nor brother.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">There was no end to his toil,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;For whom am I toiling,&#8221; he asked,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">This too is meaningless&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">a miserable business!</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.4.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Two are better than one,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="content">because they have a good return for their labor:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.4.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">If either of them falls down,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">one can help the other up.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">But pity anyone who falls</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">and has no one to help them up.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.4.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="content">But how can one keep warm alone?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.4.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Though one may be overpowered,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">two can defend themselves.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Advancement Is Meaningless</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.4.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king&#8217;s successor. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch5" data-usfm="ECC.5">
         <div class="label">5</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Fulfill Your Vow to God</span></div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class=" body"><span class="ft">  </span><span class="ft">In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:17, and 5:2-20 is numbered 5:1-19.</span><span class="ft">  </span></span></span><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.5.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.5.1"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Do not be quick with your mouth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">do not be hasty in your heart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">to utter anything before God.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">God is in heaven</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">and you are on earth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">so let your words be few.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.5.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">A dream comes when there are many cares,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"><span class="content">and many words mark the speech of a fool.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.5.3"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.5.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.5.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.5.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, &#8220;My vow was a mistake.&#8221; Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.5.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Riches Are Meaningless</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.5.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.5.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.5.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.5.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Whoever loves money never has enough;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="content">whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="content">This too is meaningless.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.5.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">As goods increase,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">so do those who consume them.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">And what benefit are they to the owners</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">except to feast their eyes on them?</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.5.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">The sleep of a laborer is sweet,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">whether they eat little or much,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">but as for the rich, their abundance</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">permits them no sleep.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.5.12"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"><span class="content">wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.5.13"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">or wealth lost through some misfortune,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="content">so that when they have children</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="content">there is nothing left for them to inherit.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.5.14"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Everyone comes naked from their mother&#8217;s womb,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">and as everyone comes, so they depart.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">They take nothing from their toil</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">that they can carry in their hands.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.5.15"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">This too is a grievous evil:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">As everyone comes, so they depart,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">and what do they gain,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">since they toil for the wind?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.5.16"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">All their days they eat in darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"><span class="content">with great frustration, affliction and anger.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.5.17"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.5.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them&#8212;for this is their lot. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.5.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil&#8212;this is a gift of God. </span></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.5.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.</span></span></div>
      </div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch6" data-usfm="ECC.6">
         <div class="label">6</div><div class="p"><span class="content">  </span><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.6.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.6.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.6.2"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.6.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.6.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.6.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.6.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.6.6"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.6.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Everyone&#8217;s toil is for their mouth,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.6.7"><span class="content">yet their appetite is never satisfied.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.6.7"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.6.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">What advantage have the wise over fools?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.6.8"><span class="content">What do the poor gain</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.6.8"><span class="content">by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.6.8"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.6.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Better what the eye sees</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.6.9"><span class="content">than the roving of the appetite.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.6.9"><span class="content">This too is meaningless,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.6.9"><span class="content">a chasing after the wind.</span></span></div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.6.9"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.6.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Whatever exists has already been named,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.6.10"><span class="content">and what humanity is has been known;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.6.10"><span class="content">no one can contend</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.6.10"><span class="content">with someone who is stronger.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.6.10"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.6.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The more the words,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.6.11"><span class="content">the less the meaning,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.6.11"><span class="content">and how does that profit anyone?</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.6.11"><span class="content">  </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.6.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?</span></span></div>
      </div>
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