Ecclesiastes 9
9In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.H5414H3820H952H6662H2450H5652H3027H430H120H3045H1571H160H8135H64402Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice. As it is with the good person, so also it is with the sinner; as it is with someone who takes an oath, so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.H259H4745H6662H7563H2896H2889H2931H2076H834H2076H2896H2398H7650H3373H76213There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead.H7451H6213H8121H259H4745H3820H1121H120H4390H7451H1947H3824H2416H310H41914"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion."H4310H3426H2266H977H2416H986H2416H3611H2896H4191H7385At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.H2416H3045H4191H4191H3045H3972H7939H2143H79116Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy have been long lost. Never again will they have a part in what happens on earth.H160H8135H7068H3528H6H2506H5769H6213H81217Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions.H3212H398H3899H8057H8354H3196H2896H3820H430H3528H7521H46398Always keep your garments white, and don't fail to anoint your head.H899H6256H3836H7218H2637H80819Find joy in living with your wife whom you love every day of your pointless life that God gave you on earth, because this is your life assignment and your work to do on earth.H2416H7200H802H157H3117H2416H1892H5414H8121H3117H1892H2506H2416H5999H6001H812110Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going.H3027H4672H6213H6213H3581H4639H2808H1847H2451H7585H198011I considered and observed on earth the following: The race doesn't go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the smart, nor recognition to the skilled. Instead, timing and circumstances meet them all.H7725H7200H8121H4793H7031H4421H1368H3899H2450H6239H995H2580H3045H6256H6294H713612In addition, no human being knows his time: Like fish captured in a cruel net, or as birds caught in a snare, so also are human beings caught by bad timing that surprises them.H120H3045H6256H1709H270H7451H4685H6833H270H6341H1992H1121H120H3369H7451H6256H5307H659713I also observed this example of wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me:H2090H2451H7200H8121H141914There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it.H6996H5892H4592H582H935H1419H4428H5437H1129H1419H468515Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.14H4672H4542H2450H376H2451H4422H5892H120H2142H4542H37616So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected?his words are never heard."H559H2451H2896H1369H4542H2451H959H1697H808517The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.H1697H2450H8085H5183H2201H4910H368418Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.9H2451H2896H3627H7128H259H2398H6H7235H2896
Columbus, OH
