x Mat. 5, 44. Rom. 12,20. 23 The north wind driveth away rain; so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue. r Before CHRIST cir. 700. Of self-love and true love. 23 Burning lips, and a wicked heart, are like a potsherd covered with silver dross. 24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; r 2 Sam.15, 3, 4. Mat. 2, 8. Gal.4.17 8 Jer. 9, 8,9 Mat. 10, 16, 25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart. 26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wicked- Micah 7, 5. ness shall be shewed before the whole congregation. 17. 27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he 12 Sam. 19 that "rolleth a stone, it will return upon him. X 22, 23. 33. Esth. 7, 10. 28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted Judg., 24 It is a better to dwell in a corner of the house-by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. top,than with a brawling woman,and in a wide house. 25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. c 26 A righteous man "falling down before the wicked, is as a troubled fountain and a corrupt spring. 27 It is not good to eat much honey; so for men search their own glory is not glory. to e 28 He that hath 'no rule over his own spirit is like 1 Sam. 25, a city that is broken down, and without walls. CHAPTER XXVI. Observations about fools, sluggards, and busy-bodies. AS snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so a honour is not seemly for a fool. 2 As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying; so the curse causeless shall not come. 3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool's back. d 4 Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest 1 Mat. 7, 6. thou also be like unto him. 6 He that sendeth 'a message by the hand of a fool, cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. 7 The legs of the lame are not equal; so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 8 As he that bindeth a stone in a sling; so is he I's. 15, 4. that giveth honour to a fool. 9 As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard; so is a parable in the mouth of fools. 10 The great God, that formed all things, both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. 2 Pet. 2, 22 returneth to his folly. 11 As a dog returneth to his vomit; so a fool d Dan. 3, 19. e 1 John 3, 12. f Gal 2,4 ₤2 Sam.13, Mat. 9, h 12. i Amos 8,5 k Mat. 11, 28. 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 11 Sam. S, 10 Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, m Acts 23, forsake not; neither go into thy brother's house in 15. the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour 2 Cor. 2, 15. that is near than a brother far off. 11 My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me. 12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. 13 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. 14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him. 15 A continual dropping in a very rainy day, and a contentious woman, are alike. 16 Whosoever hideth her hideth the wind, and the ointment of his right hand, which bewrayeth itself. 17 Iron P sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 18 Whoso keepeth the fig-tree shall eat the fruit thereof; so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. 19 As in water, face answereth to face; so the heart of man to man. 20 Hell and destruction are never full: so eyes of man are never satisfied. 21 As the fining-pot for silver, and the furnace gold; so is a man to his praise. 22 Though thou shouldest bray a fool in a mortar among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him. 1, 2. Zech. 1,5. state of thy utines. 2 19. 23 Be thou diligent to know the flocks, and look well to thy herds; 24 For † riches are not for ever: and doth the "crown endure to every generation? 25 The hay appeareth, and the tender grass sheweth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered: x Ps. 104, 7 8, 9, 14. ch. 6, 8 & 10, 5. John 3. 4. Luke 19, 42 8 Hethat by usury and unjust gain increaseth his sub-" stance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the Zech. 7,11. law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Psal. 12, 2. 2 Tim. 4, 3. 1 Luke 16, 14. m Rev. 18, 20. k m 10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but} Mat. 6, 33. the upright shall have good things in possession. 11The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but? the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out. 12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. 13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but Ps. 32, 3,5. whoso confesseth and forsakeththemshall have mercy. 14 Happy is the man that feareth always: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief. 15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is ta wicked ruler over the poor people. » Heb. 11, p 1 John 1, 9. q Ps. 16, 8. r Rom. 2, 5. $1 Pet. 5, 8. t Ex. 1, 12, 13. Esther 3, 8, 9. Mat. 2, 16. 16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. 17 A man that doth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. 18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but u Mat. 27,3 he that is "perverse in his ways shall fall at once. 19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread but he that followeth after vain persons shall y Job 7, 4. have poverty enough. x 2 Peter 1, 5,9. Ps. 50, 18. Luke 16, 25. 1 Gen. 13, 10. & 19, 17. Job 20, 22. & 27, 16. 20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 21 To have respect of persons is not good; for, for a piece of bread that man will transgress. 22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. 23 He that " rebuketh a man, afterwards shall find 5 more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue, 24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer. 11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man o ch. 14, 35. keepeth it in till afterwards. 8, 10. 12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are pEsther 3, wicked. 13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD 4 lighteneth both their eyes. 14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. Mat. 5, 45. John 1, 9. r Ps. 72, 4, 13, 14. 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. 16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. 17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest: yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. 18 Where there is no vision, the people "perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand, he will not answer. 20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? 28. there is more hope of a fool than of him. 21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from 1 Sam. 3, a child, shall have him become his son at the length. 22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. 27 Anunjust man is an abomination to the just; and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wickCHAPTER XXX. ed. 1 Agur's confession of faith: 7 The two points of his prayer. THE words of Agur the son of Jake, even the prophecy: The man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal, a 2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowl{edge of the holy. 12. & 20, 2 Gen. 43. 14. Neh. 1, 4. Esth. 4, 16. chap. 21, ePs. 15, 4. Rev. 17, 3. 2 Jer. 7, 9, 10. Like 18, 11. a 1 Sam. 15, 13. 25. a 21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigneth, and a fool b 1 Sam. 25, when he is filled with meat; e Job 12, 7. 1 Cor. 1, 27. Psal. 18, 2. & 40, 17. 23 For an odious woman when she is married, C Lemuel's lesson of chastity. if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth. Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? d c 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. e Before CHRIST cir. 700. f Eccl. 8, S. & 10, 29. g Mat. 5, 22. 1015. a 1 Kings 1, 11. chap. 4, 4. b Isai. 49, 15. c 1 Sam. 1, 28. 17. chap. 9, 10. 26. f Deut. 17, 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings d Deut. 17, to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink; 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and per- e chap. 7, vert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 18. Hos. 4, 11. 16. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of 55, 29, all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. h1 Sam. 19, Esth. 4, 16. i 2 Chr. 19, k Rev. 12, 1. 23. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely "trust 1 Eph. 5, in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him "good, and not evil, all the mActs 13, days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships, she bringeth her food from afar. 22. o Philip. 2, 12. p Ps. 110, 3. q Mat. 13, 45. 15 She riseth also while it is yet 'night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. r Col. 3, 1. 16 She considereth a "field, and buyeth it; with s Rom. 12, the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 11. 42. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and Luke 12, strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. y 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. a 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. u Mat. 15, 44 x 1 Cor. 16, 13. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself' coverings of tapestry; her b Rev. 19, 3. clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine laen, and selleth it; and 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they pre-delivereth 'girdles unto e merchant. pare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they d Jol 8, 14. their houses in the rocks; Before CHRIST cir. 977. a ch. 11, 10 b Rom. 8, 20. 1 Cor. 7, 31 < Mat. 13, 22. 1 Cor. 15, 5. 10. Rev 21, 1. ¶ ECCLESIASTES, or the PREACHER. CHAPTER I. The Preacher sheweth that all human courses are vain. THE 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. 3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which hetaketh under the sun? 4 One generation passeth away, and another ged 2 Pet. 5, neration cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. 5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, e Ps. 13, 5. and hasteth to his place where he arose. 6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north: it whirleth about continually; and the wind returneth again according to his f John S, 3. Ps. 107, b1 Cor. 2, 9. circuits. 7 All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. 8 All things are full of labour, man cannot utter} Phil 4, 11, it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 12. 12 Cor. 5, 17. 2 Pet. 2, 1. k Mat. 5, 12. 9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done, is that which shall be done and there is no new thing under the sun. k i 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, Pr. 19, 7. Which was before us. 1 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not n Judg. 14, from them. I withheld nct my heart from any joy: Mat. 6, 22. for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was och. 5, 17. my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. 11 There is no remembrance of former: things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall corne after. 14 The wise man's eyes are in his head, but the 12 ¶ "I the Preacher was king over Israel in Je-fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also n Eph.5, 15. rusalem: that one event happeneth to them all. 1 Cor. 2, 15. Ps. 49, 10. ch.9. 11 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me: and why was Ithen more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also 20 is vanity. x Mat. C, 19, Phil. S, 30. 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is, in the days to come shall be forgotten. And how y Pr. 10, 7. dieth the wise man? As the fool. a 7. Luke 16, 17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that 25. is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wis-is vanity and vexation of spirit. dom than all they that have been before me in Jeru- 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken Jon. 4, 1. Feb. 5, 14 salem; yea, my heart had great experience of wis-under the sun; because I should leave it unto the dom and knowledge. 20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun. Rom. 6, 21. and in knowledge, and in equity, yur to a want that For there is a whose labour is wisdom, hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity, and a great evil. 22 For what hath man of all his labour, and of gla. 3, 11. the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief: yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his Luke 16, 9. Rev. 14, 13. Job 1,1 Mat. 5, 34. A time for all things. Before CHRIST cir. 977 k Lev. 26, 19. Deut. 8, 17, 18. 9. ECCLESIASTES. f Of oppression, envy, &c. soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to it was from the hand of God. see what shall be after him? k 25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto more than I? 26 For God giveth to a man that is good in his Hosea 2,8, sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather, and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good" before God. m Job 20, This also is vanity and vexation of spirit. 11 Cor. 3, 21. 11. n Luke 1,6. a Gal. 4, 4. CHAPTER III. The excellency of God's work.. To every thing there is a season, and a time to C every purpose under the heaven: b 2 A time to be a born, and a time to die: a time b Heb. 3, 27. to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted: 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal: a time to break down, and a time to build up: c 1 Cor. 3, 8. d Isa. 5, 5. e Ex. 21, 13. í Mat. 9, 15. g Rev. 12, 1. 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance: 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to1 gather stones together: a time to embrace, and a time to a1 Cor. 5, k refrain from embracing. 4. i Eph. 4,11, 12. k 1 Cor. 7, 5. 6 A time to get, and a time to lose: a time to keep, and a time to cast away: 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew: a time to Amos 5,13. keep silence, and a time to speak: 8 A time to love, and a time to hate: a time of war, and a time of peace. m Luke 14, 26. n Mat. 6, 27. 6 Ps. 11, 2. p Isa. 29,16. 33. m 9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? 10 I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 11 P He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart; so Rom. 11, that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. r John 15, 5. 2 Cor. 3, 5. s1 Cor. 10, 31. t Rom. 11, $6. Jam.1, 17. u Isa 10, 5, 15. Mat. 8, 8, 9. 12 I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 14 I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be t for ever: "nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it that men should fear before him. 15 That which hath been is now; and that which John 19,10, is to be hath already been: and God requireth that which is past. 11. x Mal. 3, 8. 16 And, moreover, I saw under the sun the place y Micah 7, of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 3, 4. z 2 Cor. 5, 10. 2 17 I said in my heart, God shall judge the rightThess. 1, eous and the wicked: for there is a time there for 6, 7. every purpose, and for every work. 18 I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that a Ps. 49, 12. they might see that they themselves are a beasts. & 73, 22. 6 Better is a handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 7 1Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with 11 John 2, riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. i 16. 9 Two are better than one; because they have Mark 6, 7. a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. m 11 Again, if " two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? 1 Cor. 12, & John 8, 16 Heb. 10, 14 m 1 Kings 1, 1, 2. Eph. 2, 19. o 1 Tim.4, 12. p 1 Kings 12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and "athreefold cord is not quickly broken. n Dan. 3,17 13 I Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more P be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas 22, 6. also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. a Gen. 41, 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 14. Dan. 4, 31. $ 2 Sam. 15, 6. t Pr. 14, 28. 16 There is not end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity Rev. 17, 15. and vexation of spitit. u CHAPTER V. Vanities in divine service, and in murmuring against op- u Isa. 57,20 2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy ⚫ 19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befall-heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for eth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore e Prov. 30, dieth so dieth the other; yea, they have all one let thy words be "few. Phil. 3, 21. breath so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast for all is vanity. 4 When thou' vowest a vow unto God, defer not fNum. 30,s. 21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth up-to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that g Mal. 2, 14. ward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth down-which thou hast vowed. ward to the earth? 5 Better is it that thou shouldest "not vow, thanh Acts 5, 2, 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing bet-that thou shouldest vow and not pay. ter, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; 6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; 5. |