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The Value of Diligence

11Send out your bread upon the waters,
   for after many days you will get it back.
² Divide your means seven ways, or even eight,
   for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth.
³ When clouds are full,
   they empty rain on the earth;
whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
   in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
⁴ Whoever observes the wind will not sow;
   and whoever regards the clouds will not reap.

5 Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother’s womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything.

6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.

Youth and Old Age

7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

8 Even those who live for many years should rejoice in them all; yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

9 Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement.

10 Banish anxiety from your mind, and put away pain from your body; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

12Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come, and the years draw near when you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’; ²before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with^* the rain; ³on the day when the guards of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the women who grind cease working because they are few, and those who look through the windows see dimly; ⁴when the doors on the street are shut, and the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low; ⁵when one is afraid of heights, and terrors are in the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along^* and desire fails; because all must go to their eternal home, and the mourners will go about the streets; ⁶before the silver cord is snapped,^* and the golden bowl is broken, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel broken at the cistern, ⁷and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath^* returns to God who gave it. ⁸Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher;^* all is vanity.

Epilogue

9 Besides being wise, the Teacher^* also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs. ¹⁰The Teacher^* sought to find pleasing words, and he wrote words of truth plainly.

11 The sayings of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings that are given by one shepherd.^{* 12}Of anything beyond these, my child, beware. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone. ¹⁴For God will bring every deed into judgement, including^* every secret thing, whether good or evil.

121  I have done what is just and right; ♦︎
   O give me not over to my oppressors.
122  Stand surety for your servant’s good; ♦︎
   let not the proud oppress me.
123  My eyes fail with watching for your salvation ♦︎
   and for your righteous promise.
124  O deal with your servant according to your faithful love ♦︎
   and teach me your statutes.
125  I am your servant; O grant me understanding, ♦︎
   that I may know your testimonies.
126  It is time for you to act, O Lord, ♦︎
   for they frustrate your law.
127  Therefore I love your commandments ♦︎
   above gold, even much fine gold.
128  Therefore I direct my steps by all your precepts, ♦︎
   and all false ways I utterly abhor.
129  Your testimonies are wonderful; ♦︎
   therefore my soul keeps them.
130  The opening of your word gives light; ♦︎
   it gives understanding to the simple.
131  I open my mouth and draw in my breath, ♦︎
   as I long for your commandments.
132  Turn to me and be gracious to me, ♦︎
   as is your way with those who love your name.
133  Order my steps by your word, ♦︎
   and let no wickedness have dominion over me.
134  Redeem me from earthly oppressors ♦︎
   so that I may keep your commandments.
135  Show the light of your countenance upon your servant ♦︎
   and teach me your statutes.
136  My eyes run down with streams of water, ♦︎
   because the wicked do not keep your law.

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

2You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; ²and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. ³Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier’s aim is to please the enlisting officer. ⁵And in the case of an athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. ⁶It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of the crops. ⁷Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ¹⁰‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. ¹¹The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax-collector. ¹²I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.” ¹³But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” ¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’