The Book of the Preacher
otherwise called
Ecclesiastes
Next Book
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Chapter 1
These are the words of the
Preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. all is but vanity (
saith the Preacher ) all is but plain vanity. For what else hath a
man, of all the labor that he hath taketh under the Sun? One
generation passeth away, another cometh, but the earth abideth
still. The *Son ariseth, the Sun goeth down, and returneth to his
place, that he may there riseth up again. The wind goeth toward the
South, and fetcheth his compass about unto the North, and so turneth
in to himself again. All floods run into the sea, and yet the sea is
not filled: for look unto what place the waters run, thence they
come again. All things are so hard, that no man can express them.
The eye is not satisfied with sight, the ear is not filled with
hearing. The thing that hath been cometh to pass again: there is no
new thing under the Sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said:
Lo, this is new? For it was long ago in the times that have been
before us. The thing that is past, is out of remembrance: Even so
the things that are for to come, shall no more be thought upon among
them that come after. I myself the Preacher, being King of Israel
and Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek out and search for the
knowledge of all things that are done under heaven. Such travail and
labor hath God given to the children of men, to exercise themselves
therin. Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass
under the Sun, and, lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of
mind. The crooked man cannot be made straight, and the faults cannot
be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying: Lo, I am come
to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom, than all they that
have been before me in Jerusalem. Yee, my heart had great experience
of wisdom and knowledge, for there unto I applied my mind: that I
might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and
foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of
mind: For where much wisdom is, there is also great travail and
disquietness: and the more knowledge a man hath, the more is his
care.
*Son cap S and : son the above is exactly as it appears in the text.
The writers were well aware of the different spellings for the word
Son or Sun which were written Sonne for Son and Sunne for Sun. RN
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Chapter 2
Then said I thus in mine heart:
Now go to, I will take mine ease and have good days. But lo, that
was vanity also: in so much as I said unto laughter: thou art mad,
and to *mirth: What doest thou?
So I thought in my heart, *to withdraw myself from wine, to
apply my mind unto wisdom, and to comprehend foolishness until the
time that among all things which are under the Sun, I might see what
were best for men do, so long as they live under heaven.
I made gorgeous fair works. I builded me houses, and planted
vineyards. I made me orchards and gardens of pleasure, and planted
trees in them of all manner fruits. I made pools of water, to water
the green and fruitful trees withal. I bought servants and maidens,
and had a great household. As for cattle and sheep, I had more
substance of them, then all that were before me in Jerusalem. I
gathered silver and gold together, even a treasure of kings and
lands.
I provided me singers and women which could play of
instruments, to make man mirth and pastime. I got me drinking cups
also and glasses. Shortly, I was greater and in more worship, than
all my predecessors in Jerusalem. For wisdom remained with me: And
look whatsoever mine eyes desired, I let them have it: and wherein
so ever my heart delighted, or had any pleasure, I withheld it not
from it. Thus my heart rejoiced in all that I did, and this I took
of all my travail. But when I considered all the works that my hands
had wrought, and all the labors that I had taken therin: Lo, all was
vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun.
Then turned I me to consider wisdom, error and foolishness, for what
is he among men, that might be compared to me the king in such work?
And I saw that wisdom excelleth foolishness, as far as light doeth
darkness. For a wise man beareth his eyes about in his head, but the
fool goeth in the darkness. I perceived also that they both had one
end. Then thought I in my mind: If it happeneth unto the fool as it
doeth unto me, what needeth me then to labor any more for wisdom? So
I confessed within my heart, that this also was but vanity. For the
wise are ever as little in remembrance as the foolish, and all the
days for to come shall be forgotten, Yee the wise man dieth as well
as the fool. Thus began I to be weary of my life, in so much that I
could away with nothing that is done under the Sun, for all was
vanity and vexation of mind: Yee I was weary of all my labor, which
I had taken under the Sun, because I should be *faine to leave them
unto another man, that cometh after me for who knoweth, whether he
shall be a wise man or a fool? And yet shall he be lord of all my
labors, which I with such wisdom have taken under the Sun. Is this
not a vain thing?
So I turned me to refrain from all such travail, as I took
under the Sun: For so much as a man should weary himself with
wisdom, with understanding and opportunity, and yet be fain to leave
his labors unto another, that never sweat for them. This is also a
vain thing and a great misery. For what getteth a man of all that
labor and travail of his mind, that he taketh under the Sun, but
heaviness, sorrow and disquietness all the days of his life? In so
much that his heart can not rest in the night. Is this not also a
vain thing? Is it not better then for a man to eat and drink, and
his soul to be merry in his labor? Yee I saw that this also was a
gift of God: For who may eat, drink, or bring anything to pass
without him? And why? He giveth unto man, what it pleaseth him:
whether it be wisdom, understanding, or gladness. But unto the
sinner he giveth weariness and sorrow, that he may gather and heap
together the thing, that afterward shall be given unto him whom it
pleaseth God. This is now a vain thing, yee a very disquietness and
vexation of mind.
*mirth from the Hebrew is joy, gladness, rejoice
*to withdraw myself from wine; * (kjv and other bibles of man =to
give myself unto wine )
*faine (obliged/ willing happy)
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Chapter 3
Every thing hath a time, yee all
that is under the heaven, hath is convenient season. There is a time
to be born, and a time to die. there is a time to plant, and a time
to pluck up the thing, that is planted:
**A time to slay, and a time to make whole
A time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh:
A time to mourn, and a time to dance:
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together:
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing:
A time to win, and a time to *lese:
A time to spare, and a time to spend:
A time to cut in pieces, and a time to sew together:
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak:
A time to love, and a time to hate:
A time of war, and a time of peace.
What hath a man else ( that doeth anything ) but weariness and
labor? For as touching the travail and carefulness which God hath
given unto men, I see that he hath given it them, to be exercised in
it. All this hath he ordered marvelous goodly, to every thing his
due time. He hath planted ignorance in the hearts of men, that they
should not find out the ground of his works, which he doeth from
beginning to the end. So I perceived, that in these things there is
nothing better for a man, then to be merry and to do well so long as
he liveth. For all that a man eateth and drinketh, yee whatsoever a
man enjoyeth of all his labor, the same is a gift from God. I
considered also that whatsoever God doeth, it continueth for ever,
and that nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it: And that God
doeth it to the intent, that men should fear him. The thing that
hath been, is now: and the thing that is for to come, hath been
afore time, for God restoreth again the thing that was past.
Moreover, I saw under the sun ungodliness in the stead of judgment,
and iniquity in stead of righteousness. Then thought I in my mind:
God shall separate the righteous from the ungodly, and then shall be
the time of judgement of all counsels and works. I communed with
mine own heart also concerning the children of men: how that God
hath chosen them, and yet letteth them appear as though they were
beasts: For it happeneth unto men as it doth unto beasts, and as one
dieth, so dieth the other: yee they have both one manner of *birth,
so that ( in this ) a man hath no preeminence above a beast, but all
are subdued unto vanity. They go all unto one place, for as they all
be of dust, so shall they all turn unto dust again. Who knoweth the
spirit of man that goeth upward, and the *breath of the beast that
goeth down into the earth? Wherefore I perceive, that there is
nothing better for a man, than to be joyful in his labor, for that
is his portion. But who will bring him to see the thing that shall
come after him?
**if needs be compare the following ...to the bibles of man. *lese
(lose, lease):
*birth, (kjv and other bibles of man =breath)
*breath (kjv and other bibles of man = spirit)
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Chapter 4
So I returned me, and considered
all the violent wrong that is done under the Sun: and behold the
tears of such as were oppressed, and there *was no man to comfort
them or that would deliver and defend them from the violence of
their oppressors. Wherefore I judged those that are dead, to be more
happy than such as be alive: Yee him that is yet unborn to be better
at ease then they both, because he seeth not the miserable works
that are done under the Sun.
Again, I saw that all travail and diligence of labor was hated
of every man. This is also a vain thing, and a vexation to the
*mind. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth up his own
flesh. One handful (sayeth he) is better with rest, then both hands
full with labor and travail. Moreover, I turned me, and behold yet
another vanity under the *Son.
There is one man, no more but himself alone, having neither child
nor brother: yet is there no end of his careful travail, his eyes
cannot be satisfied with riches, (yet doth he not remember himself,
and say:) For whom do I take such travail? For whos pleasure do I
thus consume away my life? This is also a vain and miserable thing.
Therefore two are better than one, for they may well enjoy the
profit for their labor. If one of them fall, his companion helpeth
him up again: But woe is him that is alone, for if he fall, he hath
not another to help him up. Again, if two sleep together, they are
warm: but how can a body be warm alone? One may be overcome, but two
may make resistance: A threefold cable is not lightly broken. A poor
child being wise, is better than an old king, that doeth, and cannot
beware in time to come. Someone cometh out of prison, and is made a
king: and another which is born in the kingdom, cometh unto poverty.
And I perceived, that all men living under the *Son, go with the
second child, that cometh up instead of the other.
As for the people that have been before him, and that come
after him, they are innumerable: yet is not their joy greater
through him. This is also a vain thing and a vexation of the *mind.
When thou comest into the house of God, keep thy foot and draw nye,
that thou mayest hear: that is better then the offerings of fools,
for they know not what evil they do.
*was no man to comfort them (kjv and other bibles of man =had no
comforter: see Jesus speaking of the comforter of the new testament
)
vexation to the *mind. (still in kjv and other bibles of man =
spirit)
*Son. (again, this is not a misprint = Son)
Again backwards; vexation OF the *mind. (still in kjv and other
bibles of man = spirit)
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Chapter 5
Be not hasty with thy mouth, and
let not thine heart speak anything rashly before God. For God is in
heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few. For
where much carelessness is, there are many dreams: and where many
words are, there men may hear fools. If thou make a vow unto God, be
not slack to perform it. As for foolish vows, he hath no pleasure in
them. If thou promise anything, pay it: for better it is that thou
make no vow than that thou shouldest promise, and not pay. Use not
thy mouth to cause thy flesh for to sin, that thou sayest not before
the angel: my foolishness is in the fault. For then God will be
angry at thy voice, and destroy all the work of thine hands. And
why? Where as are many dreams and many words, there are also divers
vanities: but look that thou fear God. If thou seest the poor to be
oppressed and wrongestly dealt withal, so that equity and the right
of the law is *wrasted in the land: marvel not thou at such
judgement, for one great man keepeth touch with another, and the
mighty help themselves together. The land also with the fields and
all that is therin, is in subjection to the king. He that loveth
money, will never be satisfied with money: and whoso delighteth in
riches, shall have no profit thereof. Is not this also a vain thing?
Where as much riches is, there are also many that spend them away.
And what pleasure more hath he that possesseth them, saving that he
may look upon them with his eyes? A laboring man sleepeth sweetly,
whether it be little or much that he eateth: but the aboundance of
the rich will not suffer them to sleep.
Yet is there a sore plague, which I have seen under the sun,
(namely) riches to keep the hurt of him that hath them in
possession.
For often times they perish with his great misery and trouble:
and if he have a child it getteth nothing. Like as he came naked out
of his mothers womb, so goeth he thither again, and carryeth nothing
away with him for all his labor. This is a miserable plague, that he
shall go away even as he came. What helpeth him then, that he hath
labored in the wind? All the days of his life also must he eat in
the dark, with great carefulness, sickness and sorrow. Therefore me
think it a better and fairer thing, a man to eat and drink, and be
refreshed of all his labor, that he taketh under the Sun all the
days of his life, which God gave him, for this is his portion. For
unto whom so ever God giveth riches, goods and power, he giveth it
him to enjoy it, to take for his portion, and to be refreshed of his
labor: this is now the gift of God. For he thinketh not much how
long he shall live, for so much as God filleth his heart with
gladness.
*wrasted (to twist or distort the
meaning of )
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Chapter 6
There is yet another plague
under the Sun, and it is a general thing among men: When God giveth
a man riches, goods and honor, so that he wanteth nothing of all
that his heart can desire: and yet God giveth him not leave to enjoy
the same, but another man spendeth them. This is a vain thing and a
miserable plague. If a man beget an hundred children, and live many
years, so that his days are many in number, and yet can not enjoy
his good, neither be buried: as for him I say, that an untimely
birth is better than he. For he cometh to naught, and goeth his way
into darkness, and his name is forgotten. Moreover, he seeth not the
*Son, and knoweth no rest neither here ner there: Yee, though he
live *two thousand years, yet he hath no good life. Come not all to
one place? All the labor that man hath taken, is for himself, and
yet his desire is never filled after his mind. For what hath the
wise more than the fool? What helpeth it the poor, that he knoweth
to walk before the living? The sight of the eyes is better, then
that the fool should depart away. Howbeit this is also a vain thing
and a disquietness of the mind. What is more excellent than man? Yet
can he not in the law get victory of him that is mightier than he: A
vain thing is it to cast out many words, but what hath a man else?
*Again no missprint Son and also * note this : two thousand years
...Mark :1000 years = 1 day and a day = 1000 years with the Lord.
2Peter 3 . RN
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Chapter 7
For who knoweth what is good for
man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow?
**Or, who will tell a man, what shall happen after him under
the *Son?
A good name is more worth than a precious ointment, and
the day of death is better than the day of one birth. It is better
to go into an house of mourning, than into a banquetting house. For
there is the end of all men, and he that is living, taketh it to
heart. It is better to be sorry than to laugh, for when the
countenance is heavy, the heart is joyful. The heart of the wise is
in the mourning house, but the heart of foolish is in the house of
mirth. It is better to give ear to the chastening of a wise man,
than to hear the song of fools. For the laughting of fool is like
the crackling of thorns under a pot. And that is but a vain thing.
Who so doeth wrong, maketh a wise man go out of his wit, and
destroyeth a gentle heart. The end of a thing is better than the
beginning. The patient of spirit is better than the* high minded. Be
not hastily angry in thy mind, for wrath resteth in the bosom of a
fool. Say not thou: What is the cause that the days of the old were
better, than they that be now? For that were no wise question.
Wisdom is better than riches, yee much more worth than the eyesight.
For wisdom defendeth as well as money, and the excellent knowledge
and wisdom giveth life to him that have it in possession. Consider
the work of God, how that no man can make the thing straight, which
he maketh crooked. Use well the time of prosperity and remember the
time of misfortune: For God maketh one by the other, so that a man
can find nothing else.
These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity:
that the just man perisheth for his righteousness sake, and the
ungodly liveth in his wickedness. Therefore be thou neither too
righteous or over wise, that thou perish not: be neither too
unrighteous also nor too foolish, lest thou die before thy time. It
is good for thee to take hold of this, and not to let that go out of
thy hand. For he that feareth God shall *escape them all.
Wisdom giveth more courage unto the wise, than ten mighty men
of the city. For there is not one just upon earth, that doeth good,
and sinneth not. Take not heed unto every word that is spoken, lest
thy servant curse thee: For thine own heart knoweth, that thou
thyself also hast often times spoken evil by other men. All these
things I have proved because of wisdom: For I thought to be wise,
but she went farther from me than she was before, yee and so deep
that i might not reach unto her. I applied my mind also to
knowledge, and to seek out *science, wisdom and understanding: to
know the foolishness of the ungodly, and the error of the doting
fools. And I found, that a woman is bitterer than death: for she is
a very *angle, her heart is a net, and her hands are chains. Who so
pleaseth God shall escape from her.
Behold ( sayeth the preacher) this have I diligently searched
out and proved, that I might come by knowledge: which as yet I seek,
and find it not. Among a thousand men I have found one, but not one
woman among all. Lo, this only have I found, that God made man just
and right, but they seek diverse *subtleties, where as no man hath
wisdom and understanding, to give answer there unto.
**The two lines above, were left out
of the kjv and other bibles of man. *And again this is Son. RN *
high minded. (kjv and other bibles of man = proud in spirit) *escape
them all. (kjv = come forth of them all.) and to seek out *science,
( kjv = wisdom) *angle, (hook)
*subtleties = crafty, sly, devious. Operating in hidden, insidious
and destructive way.
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Chapter 8
Wisdom maketh a mans face to
shine, but malice putteth it out of favor. Keep the kings
commandment ( I warn thee) and the other that thou hast made unto
God. Be not hasty to go out of his sight, and see thou continue in
no evil thing: for whatsoever it pleaseth him, that doeth he. Like
as when a king giveth a charge, his commandment is mighty: Even so
whom may say unto him: What doest thou? Whoso keepeth the
commandment, shall feel no harm: but a wise mans heart discerneth
both time and manner: For everything will have opportunity and
judgment, and this the thing that maketh men full of carefulness,
and sorrow. And why? A man knoweth not what is for to come, for who
will tell him? Neither is there any man that hath power over the
spirit, to keep still the spirit, ner have any power in the time of
death: it is not he also that can make an end of the battle, neither
may ungodliness deliver him that meddle with all.
All these things have I considered, and applied my mind unto
every work that is under the *Son: how one man hath Lordship over
another to his own harm. For I have often seen the ungodly brought
to their graves, *and fallen down from the high and glorious place:
in so much that they were forgotten in the city, where they were had
in so high and great reputation. This is also a vain thing. Because
now that evil works are not hastily punished, the heart of man
giveth himself over to wickedness. But though an evil person offend
an hundred times, and have a long life: yet am I sure, that it shall
go well with them that fear God, because they have him before their
eyes. Again, as for the ungodly, it shall not be well with him,
neither shall he prolong his days: but even as a shadow, so shall he
be that feareth not God.
Yet there is a vanity upon the earth: there be just men, unto
whom it happeneth, as though they had the works of the ungodly:
Again, there be ungodly, with whom it goeth as though they had the
works of the righteous. This me think also a vain thing. Therefore I
commend gladness, because a man hath no better thing under the *Son,
than to eat and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall he have of
his labor all the days of his life, which God giveth him under the
*Son. When I applied mine mind to learn wisdom, and to *know the
travail that is in the world: (and that of such fashion, that I
suffered not my eyes to sleep neither day ner night ) I understood
of all the works of God, that it is not impossible for a man, to
attain unto works that are done under the *Son: and though he bestow
his labor to seek them out, yet can he not reach unto them: yee
though a wise man would undertake to know them, yet he might not
find them.
*Son is Son as recorded from original.
*and fallen down from the high and glorious place: (kjv = who had
come and gone from the place of the holy)
*know the travail that is in the world ( kjv reads: to see the
business that is done upon the earth)
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Chapter 9
For all these things purposed I
in my mind to seek out. The righteous and wise, yee and their works
also are in the hand of God: and there is no man that knoweth either
the love or hate of the thing that he hath before him. It happeneth
unto one as unto another: It goeth with the righteous as with the
ungodly: with the good and clean as with the unclean: with him that
offereth as with him that offereth not: like as goeth with the
virtuous, so goeth it also with the sinner: As it happeneth unto the
*perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be
foresworn. Among all things that come to pass under the Son, this is
a mystery, that it happeneth unto all alike. This is the cause also
that men are full of wickedness and mad foolishness is in their
hearts, as long as they live, until they die.
And why? As long as a man liveth, he is careless: for a quick
dog (they say) is better than a dead lion: for they that be living,
know that they shall die: but they that be dead, know nothing,
neither deserve they anymore. For their memorial is forgotten, so
they that be neither loved, hated ner envied: neither have they
anymore part in the world, in all that is done under the Son. Go thy
way then, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness,
for thy works please God. Let thy garments be always white, and let
thy head *want none ointment. Use thy self to live joyfully with thy
wife whom thou lovest, all the days of the life, which is but
vanity, that God hath given thee under the *Son, all the days of thy
vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, of all thy labor and
travail that thou takest under the *Son. Whatsoever thou takest in
thy hand to do, do that with all thy power: for among the dead,
where thou goest unto, there is neither work, counsel, knowledge ner
wisdom.
So I turned me unto other things under the Son, and I saw,
that in running, it helpeth not to be swift: in battle, it helpeth
not to be strong: to feeding, it helpeth not to be wise: to riches,
it helpeth not to be futile: to be had in favor, it helpeth not to
be cunning: but that all lieth in time and fortune. For man knoweth
not his time, but as the fish are taken with the *angle and as the
birds are catched with the snare: Even so are men taken in the
perilous time, when it cometh suddenly upon them.
This wisdom have I seen also under the *Son, and me thought it
a great thing. There was a little city, and few men within it: so
there came a great king and besieged it, and made great bulwarks
against it. And in the city there was found a poor man, ( but he was
wise) which with his wisdom he delivered the city: yet was there no
body, that had any respect for such a simple man. Then said I:
Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, a simple mans wisdom
is despised, and his words are not heard. A wise mans counsel that
is followed in silence, is far above the crying of a captain among
fools. For wisdom is better than harness: but one unthrifty alone
destroyeth much good.
*Son is Son as recorded.
head *want (kjv = lack) none ointment. *angle (hook)
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Chapter 10
Dead flies that corrupt sweet
ointment and make it to stink, are something more worth then the
wisdom and honor of a fool. A wise mans heart is upon the right
hand, but a fools heart is upon the left. A doting fool thinketh,
that every man doth as foolishly as himself. If a principal spirit
be given thee to bear rule, be not negligent in thine office: for so
shall great wickedness be put down, as it were with a medicine.
Another plague there is, which I have seen under the *son: namely,
the ignorance that is commonly among princes: in that a fool setteth
in great dignity, and the rich sit down beneath: I see servants ride
upon horses, and princes going upon their feet as it were servants.
But he that diggeth up a pit, shall fall therin himself: and whoso
breaketh down the hedge, a serpent shall bite him. Whoso removeth
stones shall have travail withal: and he that heweth wood shall be
hurt therewith.
When an iron is blunt, and the point not sharpened, it must be
whet again, and that with might: Even so doth wisdom follow
diligence. A babbler of his tongue is no better than a serpent that
stingeth without hissing. The words of a wise mans mouth are
gracious, but the lips of a fool will destroy himself. The beginning
of his talking is foolishness, and the last word of his mouth is
great madness. A fool is so full of words, that a man cannot tell
what end he shall make: who will then warn him to make a conclusion?
The labor of the foolish is grievous unto them, while they know not
how to go in to the city.
Woe be unto thee, ( O' thou realm and land ) whos king is but
a child, and whose princes are early at their banquettes. But well
is the ( O' thou realm and land ) whose king is come of nobles, and
whose princes eat in due season, for strength and not for lust.
Through slothfulness the *balcks fall down, and through idle hands
it raineth at the house. Meat maketh men to laugh, and wine maketh
them merry: but unto money all things are obedient. Wish the king no
evil in thy thought, and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy
chamber: for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her
feathers shall she betray thy words.
*son is son as recorded from original.
*balcks = balks; a wooden beam or rafter. RN
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Chapter 10
Send thy vitals over the waters,
and so shalt thou find them after many years. Give it away among
seven or eight, for thou knowest not what misery shall come upon the
earth. When the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth.
And when the tree falleth ( whether it be toward the South or North
) in what place so ever it fall, there it lieth. He that regardeth
the wind, shall not sow: and he that hath respect unto the clouds,
shall not reap. Now like as thou knowest not the way of the wind,
nor how the bones are filled in a mothers womb: Even so thou knowest
not the works of God, which is the workmaster of all.
Cease not thou therefore with thy hands to sow thy seed,
whether it be in the morning or in the evening: for then knowest not
whether this or that shall prosper, and if they both take, it is
better. The light is sweet, and a pleasant thing is it for the eyes
to look upon the *Sun. If a man live many years, and be glad in them
all, let him remember the days of darkness, which shall be many: And
when they come, all things shall be but vanity. Be glad then ( O'
thou young man ) in thy youth, and let thine heart be merry in thy
young days: follow the ways of thine own heart, and the lust of
thine eyes: but be thou sure, that God shall bring thee into
judgment for all these things.
*Sun: here is Sun as recorded in the original Sunne.
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Chapter 12
Put away displeasure out of
thine heart, and remove evil from thy body: for childhood and youth
is but vanity. Remember thy maker in thy youth, or ever the days of
adversity come, and or the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: I
have no pleasure in them before the sun, the light, the moon and
stars be darkened, and or the clouds turn again after the rain: when
the keepers of the house shall tremble, and when the strong men
shall bow themselves: when the millers stand still, because they be
so few, and when the sight of the windows shall wax dim: when the
doors in the streets shall be shut, and when the voice of the miller
shall be layed down: when men shall rise up at the voice of the
bird, and when all the daughters of music shall be brought low: When
men shall fear in high places, and be afraid in the streets: when
the Almond tree shall *be despised the grasshopper born out, and
when great poverty shall break in: when man goeth to his long home,
and the mourners go about the streets. Or ever the silver lace be
taken away, or the golden band broken: or the pot be broken at the
well, and the wheel upon the cistern: Or dust be turned again unto
the earth from whence it came, and the spirit return unto God, which
gave it. All is but vanity ( saith the preacher ) all is but plain
vanity.
The same preacher was not wise alone, but taught the people
knowledge also: he gave good heed, sought out the ground and set
forth many parables. His diligence was to find out acceptable words,
right scripture, and the words of truth. For the words of the wise
are like pricks and nails that go through, wherewith men are kept
together: for they are given of one shepherd only. Therefore beware
( my son ) that above these thou make not many and innumerable
books, nor take diverse doctrines in hand, to weary thy body withal.
Let us hear the conclusion of things: Fear God, and keep his
commandments, for *that toucheth all men: For God shall judge all
works and secret things, whether they be good, or evil.
Almond tree shall *be despised (kjv = flourish)
Fear God, and keep his commandments, for *that toucheth all men: (kjv
and other bibles of man = this is the whole duty of man.)
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