THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES IN RHYME

CHAPTER 1

Everything Is Meaningless

The words of the Teacher,
son of David, king in Jerusalem:

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
so says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”

What do people gain from all their labours
at which they toil under the sun?
Generations come and generations go,
but earth remains forever, never done.

When it comes to the sun
there are no surprises.
It rises, it sets, then 
hurries back to where it rises.

The wind blows to the south
and turns to the north,
round and round it goes,
ever returning to its course.

All streams flow into the sea,
yet the sea is never full.
To the place they come from,
back again they’re pulled.

More than one can say,
all things become weary
The eye never sees enough,
nor the ear filled with hearing.

What has been will be again,
doing and done is always one.
What’s done will be done again,
there’s nothing new under the sun.

Is there anything of which one can say,
“Look! This is something new?”
It was here already, long ago,
it was here before we knew.

No one remembers former generations,
all those to come, as is their lot.
They will not be remembered
those who follow, will be forgot.

Wisdom Is Meaningless

I, the Teacher, was king 
over Israel in Jerusalem. 

I fervently applied my mind to study 
to explore by wisdom and to understand
all that is done under the heavens. 
What a heavy burden God has laid on man! 

I have seen all things done under the sun; 
all meaningless, chasing wind as fated.
What is lacking cannot be counted,
what is crooked cannot be straightened.

I said to myself, “Look, 
I have increased in the wisdom I’ve foraged,
more than any ruler of Jerusalem before me
I’ve experienced much of wisdom and knowledge.”

Then I applied myself 
to the understanding of wisdom, 
and also of folly and madness, 
but I learned that this, too, 
is a chasing after the wind,
and a great somber sadness.

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief follows.

……

An ode to the Godless man, on
the surface this book might seem.
Of course this if true and right
but there’s so much more glean.

Solomon introduces the sun, who
watches a life riddled with strife.
He then also describes the wind,
the Sisyphean cycle of life.

The lenses through which he looks at life,
he also uses to look at wisdom and madness.
He proceeds to scrutinise his reasoning faculties,
even though to follow would be grief and sadness.

CHAPTER 2

Pleasures Are Meaningless

I said to myself, “Come now, 
with pleasure I will you test,
to find out what is good.” 
It proved meaningless at best.

“Laughter,” I said, “is madness. What
accomplishments does pleasure find?”
I tried cheering with wine, embracing folly
but there wisdom still guided my mind.

I wanted to see what was good 
under the heavens for people to do
during the few days of their lives.
And so, great projects I undertook:

I built houses for myself 
and all the vineyards I wanted.
I made gardens and parks and
all kinds of fruit trees I planted.

To water groves of flourishing
trees, reservoirs I had made.
I bought male and female slaves
some born in my house had stayed.

I also owned more herds and flocks 
than anyone in Jerusalem who came before.
I amassed silver and gold for myself, 
of kings and provinces their treasures stored.

I acquired male and female singers, 
a harem, the delights of a man’s heart. 
I became greater by far than 
anyone in Jerusalem before me. 
In all this my wisdom played a part.

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired.
I refused my heart no pleasure, no bliss.
My heart took delight in all my labor,
and the reward for all my toil was this:

When I surveyed what I toiled to achieve
and all that my hands had done,
all was meaningless, a wind chasing, 
including wisdom and folly.
Nothing was gained under the sun.

Then I turned my thoughts to wisdom,
and considered also madness and folly.
What more can the King’s successor do
than what’s already done in volleys?

I saw that wisdom is better than folly,
just as light is better than darkness.
The wise have eyes in their heads,
while the fool walks in darkness.

I realised the same fate overtakes them both.
I said: “The fate of the fool will overtake me too.
What then do I really gain by being wise?”
I said to myself, “This is meaningless too.”

The wise, like the fool, will not be remembered,
just like the fool, the wise too must die!
Days already here when both are forgotten.
That toil is meaningful, I strongly decry.

So I hated life, cuz the work that is done 
under the sun was to me grievous.
All of it is meaningless, and
a wind chasing so devious.

I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, 
because I must leave to another this prize,
who comes after me and who knows,
whether that person be foolish or wise? 

They will have control over all the fruit 
of my toil into which I have poured 
my effort and skill under the sun. 
This too a meaningless score.

So my heart began to despair,
over all my laborious toilsome glut. 
A person may labor with wisdom, 
knowledge and skill, but for what?

To leave all they own to another
who has not for it toiled?
This too is meaningless 
a great misfortunate foil.

For all their toil and anxious striving,
what do people get for their best?
All their days work is grief and pain,
even at night their minds do not rest. 

Under the sun all this labour
is but a meaningless disfavour.

A person can do nothing better than to eat,
drink and find satisfaction in their own work. 
This too from the hand of God, for without 
him, who can these enjoyments shirk? 

To the person who pleases him,
God gives wisdom, knowledge, happiness, 
but to the sinner he gives the task that’s hard,
of gathering and storing up wealth to
hand it over to the one who pleases God. 

This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

………….

With regards to pleasures,
Solomon’s wisdom proved a curse.
He could never really enjoy himself,
when wisdom was his constant nurse.

He undertook vast undertakings,
built every imaginable project.
He denied himself no desire,
nor the acquisition of any object.

His summation remains disconcerting,
‘nothing was gained’ was his infraction.
That all the rewards from his toil, was
left to another, gave him no satisfaction.

CHAPTER 3

A Time for Everything

A season for every activity under the heavens
a time for everything, no matter how moot:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down, build and enhance,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and then to gather,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and to discard again.

a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time it ends.

What do workers gain from their toil?
I have seen this burden in its prime
God has laid on the human race,
making everything beautiful in its time. 

He’s set eternity in the human heart, yet none 
can fathom what God’s done beginning to end.
I know there’s nothing better for people while
they live to be happy and to goodness tend.

That each of them may eat and drink, 
and find satisfaction in all their toil
this is the gift of God, hear him.

I know everything God does endures forever,
nothing can be added or subtracted.
God does it so that people will fear him.

Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before,
and God will call the past to account.
And I saw under the sun something more:

In both the place of judgment and justice 
wickedness was there and I said to myself, 
“God will the righteous and wicked into judgment lead
there’s time for every activity, to judge every deed.”

I also said to myself, “As for humans, 
God tests them so they may see 
they share one thing with the animals,
the same fate they cannot flee.

All have the same breath,
as one dies, so dies the other. 
Humans have no advantage over animals. 
Everything is meaningless brother.

All come from dust, and to dust return. 
All go to the same place since birth.
Who knows if the human spirit rises upward 
and if the animal spirit goes down into the earth?”

So I saw that there is nothing better for a person 
than to enjoy their work, cuz that is their lot. 
For who can bring them to see if there’s more
what will happen to them, after they rot?

……..

Go creates everything beautiful
and even gives man this reserve,
Yet wires him with a desire for eternity
because it is what beauty deserves.

There’s only one thing to be enjoyed,
deliberating man’s demise, it is
the moment, the immediate,
because there is no reprise.

Solomon might still be playing the part,
yet I am somewhat convinced upon reflection,
that while expounding on life without a God,
Solomon did yet not know about the resurrection.

CHAPTER 4

Oppression, Toil, Friendlessness

Again I looked and saw all the oppression 
that was taking place under the sun:
I saw the tears of the oppressed
the power of the oppressor
yet no comforter them had won.

And I declared that the dead,
who had already died,
are happier than the living,
those who are still alive.

But better by far than both
is the one who’d never exist,
who has not seen all the evil,
that under the sun persist.

And I saw that all toil and all achievement 
from a person’s envy of another springs.
Another chasing after the wind,
this too a meaningless sting.

Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.
Better one handful with serenity,
than two handfuls with toil and 
chasing after the wind’s brevity.

Again I saw something 
meaningless under the sun:

There was a man all alone,
he had neither brother nor son.
There was no end to his toil, yet wealth
contentment his eyes were not done.

“For whom am I toiling,” he asked,
“and why myself of enjoyment deprive?”
This too is utter meaninglessness
a miserable business being alive!

Two are better than one because,
they’ve a good return for their labor.
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has none to extend this favour.

Also, two keep warm when lying together.
But how can one alone keep warm?
Though one overpowered, two can defend.
A three strand cord is not quickly torn.

Advancement Is Meaningless

Better a poor but wise youth 
than an old but foolish king 
who no longer knows 
how to heed a warning. 

The youth may have come 
from prison to the kingship, 
or he may have been born 
in poverty within his kingdom.

I saw that all who lived and
walked under the sun’s sting,
had followed the youth, 
the successor to the king.

All the people who were before 
them, there was no end.
But those who came later 
did not to the successor bend.

This too is meaningless, 
a chasing after the wind.

……..

Solomon continues in his morbid reflection
calling them happy they who are dead,
Better still to not have existed at all,
than to experience the world’s evil web.

He remarks all achievement and toil
from the envy of another originates.
The only consolation for the Godless,
the pursuit of money obligates.

Though Solomon was talking about himself,
the King’s successor another might be.
So many people are not pleased with him,
though he’s the Christ who set us free.

CHAPTER 5

Fulfil Your Vow to God

Guard your steps when going to God’s house, 
and rather listen when you go near,
Do not offer the sacrifice of fools, 
who don’t know they do wrong here.

God is in heaven and you are on earth,
don’t be hasty with your mouth and heart.
Therefore, let your words be few, when
coming with utterances before God.

Dreams come with many cares, and
many words mark the speech of a fool.
When you make a vow to God, 
do not delay to fulfil its pull.

He has no pleasure in fools,
so fulfil your vow make sure.
It is better not to make a vow,
than to make one and not procure.

Don’t let your mouth lead you to sin, and
do not protest as if suddenly awake,
to the temple messenger say,
“My vow was a mistake.” 

Why should God be angry at what you say 
and all the work of your hands destroy?
Much dreaming and many words are meaningless, 
so fearing God is what you must employ.

Riches Are Meaningless

If you see the poor oppressed in a district, 
and their justice and rights are denied, 
do not be surprised at such things, for
any official cannot from a higher one hide.

The increase from the land is taken by all,
the king himself profits from the fields.
Whoever loves money never has enough,
never satisfied with what their income yields.

This too is meaningless.

As acquiring of goods increases,
so do those who consume and buy.
What benefit are they to the owners,
except to feast on them their eyes?

The sleep of a labourer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep as such.

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:
when wealth hoarded its owners accost,
or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so an inheritance for their is children lost.

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb,
and as everyone comes, so they depart.
They take nothing at all from their toil,
in their hands, they can nothing cart.

This too is a grievous evil:
As everyone comes, so rescind,
and what do they really gain,
since they toil for the wind?

Eating in darkness all of their days, with
great frustration, affliction and angry ways.
This is what I have observed to be good: 

It’s appropriate for a person to eat and drink,
find satisfaction in toilsome labor they’ve got,
under the sun during the few days of life,
God has given them, for this is their lot. 

When God gives someone wealth and possessions, 
and the ability to enjoy them, accepting their lot,
to be happy in their toil is a gift of God. 

They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because
God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

……….

Make sure you commit to your vows,
because words will you condemn.
Dreams are associated with worry,
yet meaningless, so worrying is too then.

Under the ever watchful eye of God,
the poor will be oppressed,
Loving money produces discontent, 
materialism has no value, 
except for the eye obsessed.

Wealth is a danger for it comes and it goes,
and sometimes an inheritance is lost.
God gives riches and the ability to enjoy,
so life’s reflection is by happiness tossed.

CHAPTER 6

I have seen another evil under the sun, 
and it weighs heavily on mankind: 

God gives some people wealth, 
also honour and possessions,
so that there’s nothing they lack
their hearts every obsession.

But the ability to enjoy them, 
God does not them grant.
strangers enjoy them instead. 
This is meaningless, a grievous scant.

A man may have a hundred children 
yet no matter how long he lives, 
if he cannot enjoy his prosperity 
and does not receive proper burial,
I say a stillborn child is better than he.

It comes without meaning, 
in darkness departs as none,
where its name is shrouded. 
Though it never knew anything
nor ever saw the sun.

It has more rest than does that man, 
who lives for two thousand years so,
who fails to enjoy his prosperity. 
Do not all to the same place go?

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth,
yet never satisfied is their appetite.
What advantage have the wise over fools?
What do the poor gain by knowing how to
conduct themselves before others right?

Better what the eye sees
than the appetite’s roving.
A chasing after the wind.
A meaningless loathing.

Whatever exists has already been named,
and what humanity is has been known.
Not one can ever contend, with
someone who is stronger honed.

The more the words, the less the meaning,
and how does that profit anyone’s ways?
Who knows what is good for a person’s life, 
during these few and meaningless days?

They pass through like a shadow, 
who can tell them what went on, 
during all these doings under the sun 
so long after they are gone?

…..

Much like the book of Job
Solomon cites the gravity,
benefits of not being born
because of life’s brevity.

Man is a slave to his mouth
his roving appetite supplies.
It is therefore a lesser evil, to
provide feasts for his eyes.

The world gives us endless philosophies,
yet what humanity is has been known.
Nothing is new or different about man,
since the beginning has been shown.

Ecclesiastes sits in a timeline,
things no longer look the same,
Jesus Christ changed things up,
there is much difference after he came.

CHAPTER 7

Wisdom

A good name is better than fine perfume,
the day of death better than the day of birth.
It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of mirth.

For death is the destiny of everyone,
the living should take this to heart.
Frustration is better than laughter,
a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but in the house of pleasure the foolish heart rules.
It is better to heed the rebuke of a wise person
than to listen to the songs of fools.

The meaningless laughter of fools is like
the crackling of thorns under the pot.
Extortion turns a wise person into a fool,
and a bribe the heart corrupts and rot.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning,
and patience is better than pride.
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger in the lap of fools resides.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better?”
For it is not wise to such questions bring.
Wisdom benefits those who see the sun
like an inheritance, it is a good thing.

Wisdom is a shelter,
and so are financial reserves,
but the advantage of knowledge is this:
Wisdom, for those who have it, preserves.

Consider what God has done, think of this fate:
What he has made crooked who can make straight?

When times are good, be happy,
but when times are bad, consider so:
God has made one as well as the other.
None can anything about their futures know.

In this meaningless life of mine 
I have seen both of these in the thick of it,
the righteous perishing in their righteousness,
and the wicked living long in their wickedness.

Do not be over-righteous, neither be over-wise,
why destroy yourself in your prime?
Do not be over-wicked, and do not be a fool
why die before your time?

It is good to grasp the one
and not let the other go.
Whoever fears God will
avoid all extremes so.

More than ten rulers in any city
wisdom gives one wise person more might.
Indeed, there’s none on earth who is righteous,
no one who never sins and does what is right.

Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you
for you know in your heart that many times 
you yourself have cursed others too.

All this I tested by wisdom and said,
“I am determined to be wise”
but this could not found.
Who can discover what is far off
and what is most profound?

So I turned my mind to understand, investigate
search out wisdom and the scheme of things
to understand the stupidity of wickedness
and the madness of folly’s deadenings.

Bitterer than death, the woman who’s a snare,
whose hands are chains and heart a lair.
The man who pleases God will escape her,
but the sinner she will undoubtedly ensnare.

“Look,” says the Teacher, 
“this is what I have discovered:
“to discover the scheme of things,
I was just adding one thing to another.

While I was still searching
not finding anything, I hit a wall, but,
I did one upright man among a thousand,
but not one upright woman among them all.

This only have I found:
Though God created mankind upright it seems,
they have gone in search of many schemes.”

…………………..

I have always loved a house of mourning.
Perhaps because with pleasure comes guilt.
It’s true, impatience marks the prideful,
and anger marks the fool in full tilt.

Wisdom’s not satisfied, just living with the sun,
but wanting to investigate what it’s living under.
Wisdom scrutinises the watchful eye
saving them from many a blunder.

Solomon has of course much to say about
the wiles of women in their seductive plays.
But this is where I depart from the teacher
for men of character cannot be swayed.

CHAPTER 8

Who is like the wise, who 
knows the explanation of things?
Wisdom brightens a person’s face, and 
change to a hard appearance brings.

Obey the King

Obey the king’s command, 
an oath before God you took.
Do not be in a hurry to leave,
or the king’s presence forsook.

Do not stand up for a bad cause, 
for he’ll do whatever he wants.
Since a king’s word is supreme, 
“what you doing”, who can askance?

Whoever obeys his command 
will come to no harm either,
and the wise heart will know 
the proper time and procedure.

For there is a proper time 
and procedure for every matter,
even though a person may be 
weighed down by misery’s clatter.

Who can tell anyone what’s to come,
since no one knows their future’s breath?
As no one has power to contain the wind,
so none has power over the time of their death.

As no one is discharged 
until the time of war is ceased,
so too wickedness will not
those who practice it release.

All this I saw, as I applied my mind 
to everything under the sun exerted.
There is a time when a man lords it 
over others to his own hurt. 

Then too, I saw the wicked buried 
those who used to come and go 
from the holy place and receive praise 
in the city where they did this, so…
this too is meaningless.

When the sentence for a crime 
is not rapidly carried out, 
hearts are filled with schemes 
to do wrong the laws to flout.

Although a wicked person who commits 
a hundred crimes may live very long, 
I know it’ll go better with those who fear God, 
who are before him reverently strong.

Yet because the wicked do not fear God, 
it will not go well with them at all,
their days won’t lengthen like a shadow,
much, much earlier will be their fall.

There is a meaninglessness that occurs on earth: 
the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and
the wicked who get what’s for the righteous preserved,
this too, I say, is of a meaningless worth.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, 
because there’s nothing better to be done
than to eat and drink and be glad. 
Then joy will accompany them in their toil 
all the days God’s given them under the sun.

When I applied my mind to know wisdom 
to observe what labor on earth is for,
people getting no sleep, day or night,
then all that God has done I saw.

Despite all their efforts to search it out, 
none can its meaning apprehend.
Even if the wise claim they know, 
they cannot really comprehend.

………..

Solomon tops and tails this chapter,
with the wily wisdom of the wise.
At first he proffers an optimistic view,
but ends with the meaningless of life.

He admonished all to obey authority
to wait for justice in its proper time,
and though the wicked may indeed prosper,
they will be brought to God for their crimes.

In the meantime, we are to enjoy life,
be happy with the work of your hands.
Then joy will us surely follow. This
is the only meaning for man.

CHAPTER 9

A Common Destiny for All

So I reflected on all this and concluded 
that the righteous and the wise’s fates, 
and what they do are in God’s hands, 
not knowing whether love or hate awaits. 

All share a common destiny
the righteous and the wicked, 
the good and the rot,
the clean and the unclean, 
those who offer sacrifices 
and those who do not.

As it is with the good,
so too with the sinful laid,
as it is with those who take oaths,
so too with those who are afraid.

Evil’s in everything under the sun
the same destiny for all is bred.
Evil and madness fills all hearts
and afterward they join the dead. 

There is much to go about cryin, but
anyone who is among the living has hope
a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

The living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing untoward,
even their name is forgotten,
they have no further reward.

Their love, their hate and their jealousy 
have long since vanished, they’re done,
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.

Go, eat your food with gladness chew,
and drink your wine with a joyful heart, 
for God has already approved what you do. 

Always be clothed in white, and
always your head with oil anoint.
Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, 
these meaningless days that God appoints.

For this is your lot in life,
under the sun your toilsome fight.
Whatever your hand finds to do, 
then do it with all your might.

For you’re going with the dead,
in the realm of no more risen,
there’s neither working nor planning, 
nor knowledge nor wisdom.

I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift,
or the battle to the strong,
nor food to the wise a gift.

Wealth does not on the brilliant,
nor favour on the learned fall,
but time and chance happens to all.

No one knows when their hour will come:

As fish are caught in a cruel net,
or birds are taken in a snare,
so people are trapped by evil times
that unexpectedly upon them fare.

Wisdom Better Than Folly

I also saw under the sun this example 
of wisdom that greatly impressed me:

There was once a small city 
in it only a few people found.
A powerful king came against
built a huge siege all around.

Now there lived in that city 
a man poor but wise, 
and he saved the city 
by his wisdom, his prize.

But nobody remembered that poor man. 
“Wisdom is better than strength”, I pleaded.
But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, 
and his words are no longer heeded.

Quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than all the shouts a ruler of fools could.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.

……………

Solomon writes he does not know
whether love or hate awaited 
the wise and righteous after death,
though their lives were by God fated?

Again and again he returns the same
the fate of death which us all awaits,
yet better to be alive because of hope
but hope in what, he does not say?

Astutely he articulates
that life’s just not fair,
even though wisdom is better
no one really cares.

Is he bitter, is he smart?
Is he just playing the part?
or does he really not know
that God is all good in heart?

I’m not sure about this author
the King’s left me much to stew.
If God gave me a meaningless life 
does it mean he’s meaningless too?

I’m left with only this
this thought that is the finest.
Solomon really did not yet know 
about Jesus Christ the wisest.

CHAPTER 10 

As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly wisdom and honour outweighs.
The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left stays.

Even as fools walk they lack sense
and show everyone their stupid best.
If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your post, for calmness
can lay great offenses to rest.

There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that from a ruler awry.
Fools are put in many high positions,
while the rich the low ones occupy.

I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
Whoever digs a pit may fall into it,
or through a wall be bitten by a snake.

Whoever quarries stones may be injured,
and whoever splits logs may be killed.
If the ax is dull and blunt more strength is needed, 
but success will be brought about by skill.

If a snake bites before it is charmed,
the charmer can no fee assume.
Words from a wise mouth is gracious,
but fools are by their own lips consumed.

At the beginning their words are folly,
they are wicked madness at the end.
Fools multiply their words and
no one knows what’s around the bend.

Who can tell someone else 
what will happen after they go?
The toil of fools wearies them,
the way to town they do not know.

Woe to the land whose king was a servant
and whose princes feast in the morning.
Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time
for strength and not for drunken mirth.

Through laziness, the rafters sag,
because of idle hands the house leaks.
A feast is made for laughter, wine makes merry,
and money for everything the answer speaks.

Do not revile the king even in your thoughts,
or in your bedroom curses to the rich convey,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say.

………..

Fools prosper and the wise does not,
Solomon states what we know more.
The fool’s language gets worse and worse,
and the work they do remains a chore.

Danger’s everywhere and whatever we do,
we cannot know what’s our life’s length.
But though we are frail and oh so sinful,
success is determined by skill and strength.

If we bite before the charmer’s done
we will indeed forfeit our reward.
If we’re the charmer and we get bitten
no reward too for them be stored.

Why would a fool need to know the way to town?
Job too referred to donkeys who towns avoid?
Perhaps it’s a place to signify enjoyment,
spending the rewards for being employed?

If this is true then fools are at parties 
and also those addicted to work.
It seems that there’s no escaping,
we cannot this foolishness shirk.

Solomon concludes that Kings are born
and not from servant hood come.
If this is true then Jesus Christ
is truly unique as God’s Son.

CHAPTER 11

Invest in Many Ventures

Ship your grain across the sea,
after many days you may receive a sum.
Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight,
you do not know what disaster may come.

If clouds are full of water, they
pour rain on the earth from the sky.
If a tree falls to the south or north,
where it falls, there it will lie.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant,
whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed in the womb,
so you cannot understand God’s work,
Maker of all things in this intricate loom.

Sow your seed in the morning,
and let your hands not be idle at night,
for you do not know which will succeed,
this or that or both will take flight.

Remember Your Creator While Young

Light is sweet, and it pleases 
the eyes to see the sun.
However many years anyone may live,
let them enjoy them all and be done.

But let them remember 
the days of darkness are glum,
for there will certainly be many.
Meaningless is everything to come.

You who are young, 
let happiness be your stay,
and let your heart give you joy 
during your youthful days.

Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will you into judgment bring.

So then, banish anxiety from your heart
and cast off the body’s troubles forsooth,
for meaningless are vigour and youth.

………………

There are many inevitability’s in life,
and so are the mysteries of God.
Yet we should invest and keep moving,
doing things is much better than not.

See what you want to see,
and do what you like to do,
but always keep in mind that
God will eventually judge you.

When nothing has meaning,
we lose all of our hope.
What’s left is not caring 
it’s the only way to cope.

CHAPTER 12

Remember your Creator
in the days of youthful leisure,
before troublesome years approach 
when you will say, “I find no pleasure.”

Before the sun and the light wane
and the moon and the stars grow dark,
and the clouds return after the rain.

When the keepers of the house tremble,
the strong men stoop, it is grim.
When grinders cease for being few, and 
those looking through windows grow dim.

When the doors to the street are closed
and the sound of grinding fades.
When people rise up at the sound of birds,
but all of their songs grow faint.

When people are afraid of heights
and in the streets dangers throng.
When the almond tree blossoms, and
the grasshopper drags itself along.

When no longer stirred is desire sweet.
Then people go to their eternal home
and mourners go about the streets.

Before the silver cord is severed, and the 
golden bowl is broken, him do remember.
Before the pitcher is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel at the well is dismembered.

When the dust returns to the ground it came,
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.
“Everything is meaningless!” lows the preacher.

The Conclusion of the Matter

Not only was the Teacher wise, 
but also knowledge afforded. 
He pondered and searched
many proverbs he ordered.

The Teacher had searched 
just the right words to find,
and what he eventually wrote 
was upright and true to bind.

Words of the wise are like goads, 
their collected sayings scriven,
like firmly embedded nails
by one shepherd given.

Be warned, my son, 
of anything in addition.
There’s no end to making books
and much study a weary condition.

Now all has been heard,
here is the conclusion combined:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.

For God will bring every deed 
into judgment, he will,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

……….

A fitting end to this book, from
youthful waxing to dotage wane,
what are these eternal homes?
Is it just a poetic refrain?

Not yet knowing his own words,
when likening wisdom to the nails,
that pierced our Lord and Saviour.
One shepherd who wouldn’t fail.

But the motivation for obeying God
perhaps here most stark is brought.
Is it purely because of ‘judgement?’
Not ‘love’ as Jesus taught?