Bible in one year 10/24/2022 Ecclesiastes Introduction & Chapter 3-5 by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 10/24/2022 Ecclesiastes Introduction & Chapter 3-5

by Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & counseling

 

 Ecclesiastes 3    Solomon ponders the sovereign design of God (3:1-22) and concludes that all the events of life are divinely appointed. Giving and taking life are God’s prerogatives(Deut.32:39). He has, however, given man corporate responsibility to carry out capital punishment in the case of murder(Gen.9:6). To gather them (v.5). In order to clear land for planting or in order to build. Though all is under God’s control, the accomplishment of His purposes includes man’s efforts. Eternity (v.11). God has given man an eternal perspective so that he can look beyond the routine of life. Nevertheless, He has not revealed all of life’s mysteries to man. Though man cannot understand all of God’s plan, there is nothing better for him to do than to resolve to do good, to enjoy the gifts of God in life, and to fear Him (vv.12-14). Verse 15 God has ordained the continual cycle of the events of life, the same thought as in verse 1.verses 19-22 Though both man and beast will suffer a common fate and return to dust, man will face God in judgment(12:14). Therefore he should serve God faithfully in this life, enjoying what God gives him.          

Ecclesiastes 3 (KJV)

¹ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

² A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

⁹ What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

¹⁰ I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

¹² I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.

¹⁷ I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

¹⁸ I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

¹⁹ For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

²¹ Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

²² Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

傳 3 (CKJVGT)

¹ 凡事都有定期，天下各務都有定時。

² 生有時，死有時；栽種有時，拔出所栽種的也有時；

³ 殺戮有時，醫治有時；拆毀有時，建造有時；

⁴ 哭有時，笑有時；哀慟有時，跳舞有時；

⁵ 拋擲石頭有時，堆聚石頭有時；懷抱有時，不懷抱有時；

⁶ 得著有時，失落有時；保守有時，捨棄有時；

⁷ 撕裂有時，縫補有時；靜默有時，言語有時；

⁸ 喜愛有時，恨惡有時；爭戰有時，和好有時。

⁹ 這樣看來，作事的人在他的勞碌上有甚麼益處呢？

¹⁰ 我見　神叫世人勞苦，使他們在其中受經練。

¹¹ 　神造一切，各按其時成為美好；又將世事安置在世人心裏。然而　神從始至終的作為，人不能參透。

¹² 我知道他們裏面沒有善，但人若要得喜樂，便要終身行善。

¹³ 並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是　神的恩賜。

¹⁴ 我知道　神一切所作的都必永存；無所增添，無所減少。　神這樣行，是要人在他面前存敬畏的心。

¹⁵ 現今的事早先就有了，將來的事早已也有了，並且　神再尋回已過的事。

¹⁶ 我又見日光之下，在審判之處有奸惡；在公義之處也有罪孽。

¹⁷ 我心裏說，　神必審判義人和惡人；因為在那裏，各樣事務，一切工作，都有定時。

¹⁸ 我心裏說，這乃為世人的緣故，是　神要顯明他們，使他們覺得自己不過是獸。

¹⁹ 因為世人遭遇的，獸也遭遇，所遭遇的都是一樣：這個怎樣死，那個也怎樣死，氣息都是一樣。人不能強於獸，都是虛空。

²⁰ 都歸一處，都是出於塵土，也都歸於塵土。

²¹ 誰知道人的靈是往上昇，獸的靈是下入地呢？

²² 故此，我見人莫過於在他經營的事上喜樂，因為這是他的分。他身後的事誰能使他回來得見呢？ 

 

Ecclesiastes chapter 4   Solomon, contemplating the lot of the oppressed of this world, concludes that they would be better off dead than alive (Job.3:11) Verse 4 pictures the skilled worker who motivated by competition, becomes a workaholic for nothing. On the other hand, verse 5 pictures the opposite extreme the fool who does not work at all and who, consequently, ruins himself. Starves to death. Verse 6 states the happy balance. Verses 8 to 12. There was a man all alone. A man without a partner. In addition, according to the next clause, he has no family; yet he continues to pile up profits, though he has no one with whom to share the rewards of his labor. How much better it is to have a partner and friend who can assist (v.10), warm(v.11) and protect(v.12). Three friends together (A cord of three strands ) form an even stronger bond. Verses 13-16 the poor lad who comes to the throne from prison and who forgets how fickle people can be may himself be reduced again to poverty by a second usurper.

Ecclesiastes 4 (KJV)

¹ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

² Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive.

³ Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

⁴ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

⁵ The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

⁶ Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

⁷ Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

⁸ There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.

⁹ Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

¹⁰ For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

¹¹ Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?

¹² And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

¹³ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

¹⁴ For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.

¹⁵ I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead.

¹⁶ There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

傳 4 (CKJVGT)

¹我又轉念，察看日光之下所行的一切欺壓；看哪，受欺壓的流淚，且無人安慰；欺壓他們的有勢力，也無人安慰他們。

² 因此，我讚歎那早已死的死人，勝過那還活著的活人。

³ 並且我以為那未曾生的，就是未見過日光之下所行之惡事的，比這兩等人更強。

⁴ 我又察見人為一切的勞苦和各樣正當的工作就被鄰舍嫉妒。這也是虛空，使心靈憂傷。

⁵ 愚昧人抱著手，吃自己的肉。

⁶ 滿了一把，得享安靜，勝過滿了兩把，勞苦並心靈憂傷。

⁷ 我又轉念，見日光之下有一件虛空的事：

⁸有人孤單無二，無子無兄，竟勞碌不息，眼目也不以錢財為足。他也不說：「我勞勞碌碌，刻苦自己，不享福樂，到底是為誰呢？」這也是虛空，是極重的勞苦。

⁹ 兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。

¹⁰若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了.

¹¹ 再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？

¹² 有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。

¹³ 貧窮而有智慧的孩童勝過年老不肯納諫的愚昧王。

¹⁴ 這人是從監牢中出來作王，在他國中，生來原是貧窮的。

¹⁵ 我察看日光之下一切行動的活人都隨從那第二個，就是起來代替老王的孩童。

¹⁶他所治理的眾人就是他的百姓，多得無數；在他後來的人尚且不喜悅他。這真是虛空，也使心靈憂傷。 

 

Ecclesiastes Chapter 5 In light of the futility of careless worship Solomon sets forth an exhortation concerning proper worship. (vv.1-7). Guard your steps.(v.1). Be careful attentive. With a listen. I.e., view to obedience. As nighttime dreams often reveal one’s preoccupation with his work, so also excessive words in prayer may show a lack of intelligence.(v.3). Verse 7 There is vanity in preoccupation with one’s work and in careless worship.(v.3). Verse 8 There is corruption at every level of government, with higher level oppressors plundering the likewise oppressive lower level magistrates. Verses 18-20 man may overcome his frustration over the futility of life by enjoying life and being occupied with God’s good gifts.

Ecclesiastes 5 (KJV)

¹ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.

² Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

傳 5 (CKJVGT)

¹ 你到神的殿要謹慎腳步；因為近前聽，勝過獻愚昧人的祭，他們本不知道所作的是惡。

² 你在　神面前不可冒失開口，也不可心急發言；因為　神在天，你在地上，

所以你的言語要寡少。

³ 事務多，就令人作夢；言語多，就顯出愚昧。

⁴ 你向　神許願，償還不可遲延，因他不喜悅愚昧人，所以你許的願應當償還。

⁵ 你許願不還，不如不許。

⁶ 不可任你的口使肉體犯罪，也不可在天使面前說是錯許了。為何使　神因你的聲音發怒，敗壞你手所作的呢？

⁷ 多夢和多言，其中多有虛幻，你只要敬畏　神。

⁸你若在一省之中見窮人受欺壓，並奪去公義公平的事，不要因此詫異；因有一個高過居高位的鑒察，在他們以上還有更高的。

⁹ 況且地的益處歸眾人，就是君王也受田地的供應。

¹⁰ 貪愛銀子的，不因得銀子知足；貪愛豐富的，也不因得利益知足。這也是虛空。

¹¹ 貨物增添，吃的人也增添，物主得甚麼益處呢？不過眼看而已！

¹² 勞碌的人不拘吃多吃少，睡得香甜；富足人的豐滿卻不容他睡覺。

¹³ 我見日光之下有一宗大禍患，就是財主積存資財，反害自己。

¹⁴ 因遭遇禍患，這些資財就消滅；那人若生了兒子，手裏也一無所有。

¹⁵ 他怎樣從母胎赤身而來，也必照樣赤身而去；他所勞碌得來的，手中分毫不能帶去。

¹⁶ 他來的情形怎樣，他去的情形也怎樣。這也是一宗大禍患。他為風勞碌有甚麼益處呢？

¹⁷ 並且他終身在黑暗中吃喝，多有煩惱，又有病患嘔氣。

¹⁸ 我所見為善為美的，就是人在神賜他一生的日子吃喝，享受日光之下勞碌得來的好處，

因為這是他的分。

¹⁹ 　神賜人資財豐富，使他能以吃用，能取自己的分，在他勞碌中喜樂，這乃是　神的恩賜。

²⁰ 他不多思念自己一生的年日，因為　神應他的心使他喜樂。 

 

 

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.

 King James, The Holy Bible(KJV). Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company