Sept 15th

So I lauded the dead who are already dead more than the living who are still living.

But better off than both of them is the one who never has been, who has never seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

I have seen that every labor and every success of the work is the result of jealousy between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

The fool folds his hands in embrace and consumes his own flesh.

One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.

Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

There was a certain man without a second man, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches—“And for whom am I laboring and depriving myself of good?” This too is vanity, and it is a grievous endeavor.

Two are better than one because they have good wages for their labor.

For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not a second one to lift him up.

Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can stand against him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive warning.

For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

I have seen all the living who walk about under the sun go along with the second lad who stands in place of him.

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be glad with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.

Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.

Do not be hasty with your mouth or impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven but you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.

For the dream comes through abundant endeavor and the voice of a fool through abundant words.

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!

It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and wreak destruction on the work of your hands?

For in many dreams and vanities are many words. Rather, fear God.

If you see oppression of the poor and robbery of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished over the matter; for a lofty one keeps watch over another lofty one, and there are loftier ones over them.

But the advantage of the land in everything is this—a king committed to a cultivated field.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its produce. This too is vanity.

When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the success to their masters except to look on with their eyes?

The sleep of the laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the satisfaction of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.

There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their master to his own evil demise.

And those riches were lost through a bad endeavor; and he became the father of a son, but there was nothing in his hand for him.

As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will carry nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can bring in his hand.

This also is a sickening evil—exactly as a man came, so will he go. So what is the advantage to him who labors for the wind?

Also, all his days he eats in darkness with much vexation, and his sickness and anger.

Here is what I have seen to be good, which is beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the gift of God.

For he will not remember much the days of his life because God allows him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart.

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent among men—

a man to whom God gives riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God does not empower him to eat from them, for a foreigner eats from them. This is vanity and a sickening evil.

If a man becomes the father of one hundred children and lives many years, however many the days of his years may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things, and he does not even have a proper burial, then I say, “Better the miscarriage than he,

for that one comes in vanity and goes into darkness; and that one’s name is covered in darkness.

Indeed, that one never sees the sun and never knows anything; that one has more rest than he.

Even if the other man lives one thousand years twice and does not see good things—do not all go to the same place?”

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not fulfilled.

For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the afflicted man have, knowing how to walk before the living?

What the eyes see is better than what the soul goes after. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; and he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.

For there are many words which increase vanity. What then is the advantage to a man?

For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few days of his vain life? He will make do with them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.

On the first day of every week each one of you is to set something aside, saving whatever he has prospered, so that no collections be made when I come.

And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem,

and if it is fitting for me to go also, they will go with me.

But I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia;

and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.

For I do not wish to see you now just in passing, for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.

But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost,

for a wide and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

Now if Timothy comes, take care that he is with you without fear, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.

So let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, so that he may come to me, for I expect him with the brothers.

Now concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brothers, and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

Let all that you do be done in love.

Now I exhort you, brothers (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for service to the saints),

that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

And I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.

For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such men.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

The greeting is in my own hand—Paul.

If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.