Spirit Filled Leadership

Messiah's Last Words | 7 Easter Reflections

One Another: Showing Hospitality

Untold Stories: Remembering the Faithfulness of God

Ten Men: The Rich Connections Every Man Needs (A Study of King David)

Egging You On! Beating Life's Difficulties & Cracking on With God

Led by the Spirit: Journey Through the Book of Acts Part 2

Colt to Cross to Crown: Reflections for Holy Week

Confidently YOU

Released

New International Version

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      <div class="chapter ch8" data-usfm="ECC.8.16+ECC.8.17">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.8.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth&#8212;people getting no sleep day or night&#8212; </span></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.8.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.</span></span></div>
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The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

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

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   <div class="book bkECC">
      <div class="chapter ch9" data-usfm="ECC.9">
         <div class="label">9</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">A Common Destiny for All</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.9.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God&#8217;s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">All share a common destiny&#8212;the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad,</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:2 </span><span class="ft">Septuagint (Aquila), Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew does not have </span><span class="fq">and the bad</span><span class="fqa">.</span></span></span><span class="content"> the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"><span class="content">As it is with the good,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"><span class="content">so with the sinful;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"><span class="content">as it is with those who take oaths,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"><span class="content">so with those who are afraid to take them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.9.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.9.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.9.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Anyone who is among the living has hope</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">9:4 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">What then is to be chosen? With all who live, there is hope</span></span></span><span class="content">&#8212;even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.9.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.9.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">For the living know that they will die,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.9.5"><span class="content">but the dead know nothing;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.9.5"><span class="content">they have no further reward,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.9.5"><span class="content">and even their name is forgotten.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.9.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.9.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Their love, their hate</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.9.6"><span class="content">and their jealousy have long since vanished;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.9.6"><span class="content">never again will they have a part</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.9.6"><span class="content">in anything that happens under the sun.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.9.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.9.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.9.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. </span></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.9.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun&#8212;all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.9.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.9.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">I have seen something else under the sun:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">The race is not to the swift</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">or the battle to the strong,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">nor does food come to the wise</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">or wealth to the brilliant</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">or favor to the learned;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"><span class="content">but time and chance happen to them all.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.9.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"><span class="content">As fish are caught in a cruel net,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"><span class="content">or birds are taken in a snare,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"><span class="content">so people are trapped by evil times</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"><span class="content">that fall unexpectedly upon them.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Wisdom Better Than Folly</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.9.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.9.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: </span></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.9.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.9.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.9.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">So I said, &#8220;Wisdom is better than strength.&#8221; But the poor man&#8217;s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.9.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.9.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.9.17"><span class="content">than the shouts of a ruler of fools.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.9.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.9.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Wisdom is better than weapons of war,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.9.18"><span class="content">but one sinner destroys much good.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.9.18"></span></div>
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         <div class="label">10</div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.10.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.10.1"><span class="content">so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.10.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.10.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">The heart of the wise inclines to the right,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.10.2"><span class="content">but the heart of the fool to the left.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.10.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.10.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Even as fools walk along the road,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.10.3"><span class="content">they lack sense</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.10.3"><span class="content">and show everyone how stupid they are.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.10.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.10.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">If a ruler&#8217;s anger rises against you,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.10.4"><span class="content">do not leave your post;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.10.4"><span class="content">calmness can lay great offenses to rest.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.10.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.10.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.10.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">There is an evil I have seen under the sun,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.10.5"><span class="content">the sort of error that arises from a ruler:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.10.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.10.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Fools are put in many high positions,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.10.6"><span class="content">while the rich occupy the low ones.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.10.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.10.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">I have seen slaves on horseback,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.10.7"><span class="content">while princes go on foot like slaves.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.10.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.10.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.10.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.10.8"><span class="content">whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.10.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.10.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.10.9"><span class="content">whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.10.9"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.10.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">If the ax is dull</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"><span class="content">and its edge unsharpened,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"><span class="content">more strength is needed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"><span class="content">but skill will bring success.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.10.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.10.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">If a snake bites before it is charmed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.10.11"><span class="content">the charmer receives no fee.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.10.11"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.10.11"></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.10.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.10.12"><span class="content">but fools are consumed by their own lips.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.10.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.10.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">At the beginning their words are folly;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.10.13"><span class="content">at the end they are wicked madness&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.10.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">and fools multiply words.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"><span class="content">No one knows what is coming&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"><span class="content">who can tell someone else what will happen after them?</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.10.14"></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.10.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">The toil of fools wearies them;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.10.15"><span class="content">they do not know the way to town.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.10.15"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="ECC.10.15"></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.10.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">Woe to the land whose king was a servant</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">10:16 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">king is a child</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.10.16"><span class="content">and whose princes feast in the morning.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="ECC.10.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.10.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.10.17"><span class="content">and whose princes eat at a proper time&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.10.17"><span class="content">for strength and not for drunkenness.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.10.17"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="ECC.10.17"></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.10.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">Through laziness, the rafters sag;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.10.18"><span class="content">because of idle hands, the house leaks.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.10.18"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="ECC.10.18"></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.10.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">A feast is made for laughter,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.10.19"><span class="content">wine makes life merry,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.10.19"><span class="content">and money is the answer for everything.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.10.19"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="ECC.10.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.10.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.10.20"><span class="content">or curse the rich in your bedroom,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.10.20"><span class="content">because a bird in the sky may carry your words,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="ECC.10.20"><span class="content">and a bird on the wing may report what you say.</span></span></div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
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         <div class="label">11</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Invest in Many Ventures</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.11.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Ship your grain across the sea;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.11.1"><span class="content">after many days you may receive a return.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.11.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.11.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.11.2"><span class="content">you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.11.2"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.11.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.11.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">If clouds are full of water,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.11.3"><span class="content">they pour rain on the earth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.11.3"><span class="content">Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.11.3"><span class="content">in the place where it falls, there it will lie.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.11.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.11.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Whoever watches the wind will not plant;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.11.4"><span class="content">whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.11.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.11.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">As you do not know the path of the wind,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"><span class="content">or how the body is formed</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">11:5 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">know how life </span><span class="ft">(or </span><span class="fqa">the spirit</span><span class="ft">) / </span><span class="fqa">enters the body being formed</span></span></span><span class="content"> in a mother&#8217;s womb,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"><span class="content">so you cannot understand the work of God,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"><span class="content">the Maker of all things.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.11.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Sow your seed in the morning,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"><span class="content">and at evening let your hands not be idle,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"><span class="content">for you do not know which will succeed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"><span class="content">whether this or that,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"><span class="content">or whether both will do equally well.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Remember Your Creator While Young</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.11.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.11.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">Light is sweet,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.11.7"><span class="content">and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.11.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">However many years anyone may live,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"><span class="content">let them enjoy them all.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"><span class="content">But let them remember the days of darkness,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"><span class="content">for there will be many.</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"><span class="content">Everything to come is meaningless.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.11.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">You who are young, be happy while you are young,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="content">and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="content">Follow the ways of your heart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="content">and whatever your eyes see,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="content">but know that for all these things</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"><span class="content">God will bring you into judgment.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.11.9"></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.11.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">So then, banish anxiety from your heart</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.11.10"><span class="content">and cast off the troubles of your body,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.11.10"><span class="content">for youth and vigor are meaningless.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.11.10"></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 ch12" data-usfm="ECC.12">
         <div class="label">12</div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">Remember your Creator</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"><span class="content">in the days of your youth,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"><span class="content">before the days of trouble come</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"><span class="content">and the years approach when you will say,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"><span class="content">&#8220;I find no pleasure in them&#8221;&#8212;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="ECC.12.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.12.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">before the sun and the light</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.12.2"><span class="content">and the moon and the stars grow dark,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.12.2"><span class="content">and the clouds return after the rain;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="ECC.12.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.12.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">when the keepers of the house tremble,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.12.3"><span class="content">and the strong men stoop,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.12.3"><span class="content">when the grinders cease because they are few,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.12.3"><span class="content">and those looking through the windows grow dim;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="ECC.12.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.12.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">when the doors to the street are closed</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.12.4"><span class="content">and the sound of grinding fades;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.12.4"><span class="content">when people rise up at the sound of birds,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.12.4"><span class="content">but all their songs grow faint;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="ECC.12.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">when people are afraid of heights</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">and of dangers in the streets;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">when the almond tree blossoms</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">and the grasshopper drags itself along</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">and desire no longer is stirred.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">Then people go to their eternal home</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"><span class="content">and mourners go about the streets.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="ECC.12.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.12.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Remember him&#8212;before the silver cord is severed,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.12.6"><span class="content">and the golden bowl is broken;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.12.6"><span class="content">before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.12.6"><span class="content">and the wheel broken at the well,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="ECC.12.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.12.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">and the dust returns to the ground it came from,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.12.7"><span class="content">and the spirit returns to God who gave it.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.12.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="ECC.12.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.12.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">&#8220;Meaningless! Meaningless!&#8221; says the Teacher.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">12:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the leader of the assembly</span><span class="ft">; also in verses 9 and 10</span></span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.12.8"><span class="content">&#8220;Everything is meaningless!&#8221;</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">The Conclusion of the Matter</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="ECC.12.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="ECC.12.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.12.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="ECC.12.10"></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="ECC.12.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails&#8212;given by one shepherd.</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">12:11 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">Shepherd</span></span></span><span class="content"> </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.12.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.12.12"><span class="content">Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="ECC.12.12"></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.12.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">Now all has been heard;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.12.13"><span class="content">here is the conclusion of the matter:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.12.13"><span class="content">Fear God and keep his commandments,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.12.13"><span class="content">for this is the duty of all mankind.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="ECC.12.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.12.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">For God will bring every deed into judgment,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.12.14"><span class="content">including every hidden thing,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="ECC.12.14"><span class="content">whether it is good or evil.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
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Reading The Bible In Historical Sequence Part 6Sample

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