1 For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
12 For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
The book of Ecclesiastes, also known as the Preacher, is a part of the Old Testament in the KJV Holy Bible. It is believed to have been written by King Solomon, the son of King David, and is a reflection of his wisdom and experiences. The book is a philosophical and poetic exploration of the meaning of life and the human condition. Chapter 9 of Ecclesiastes continues this theme, focusing on the unpredictability of life and the inevitability of death. It also offers advice on how to live a meaningful life in the face of these realities.
The opening verses of Ecclesiastes chapter 9 highlight the unpredictability of life. The Preacher states, "For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them." (Ecclesiastes 9:1). This verse acknowledges that no one can fully understand or control the events of their life. The righteous and the wise may still face trials and challenges, while the wicked may prosper. This is a reminder that life is not always fair or just, and we cannot always predict or control our circumstances.
The Preacher also emphasizes the unpredictability of death, stating, "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten." (Ecclesiastes 9:5). This verse highlights the finality of death and the fact that it can come at any time, without warning. It also suggests that death brings an end to all earthly pursuits and accomplishments, as the dead are no longer able to experience or enjoy them.
The theme of death is further explored in Ecclesiastes 9, with the Preacher stating, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." (Ecclesiastes 9:10). This verse emphasizes the inevitability of death and the fact that once we are gone, we can no longer work, plan, or gain knowledge and wisdom. It is a reminder to make the most of our time on earth and to live with purpose and intention.
The Preacher also reflects on the fact that death is a fate that awaits all of us, regardless of our station in life. He states, "...There is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead" (Ecclesiastes 9:3). This verse suggests that death is the great equalizer, as it comes to both the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. It also acknowledges the human tendency towards evil and madness, which can lead to a meaningless and unfulfilling life.
Despite the unpredictability and inevitability of life and death, the Preacher offers advice on how to live a meaningful life. He states, "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works" (Ecclesiastes 9:7). This verse encourages us to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as food and drink, and to do so with a joyful and grateful heart. It also reminds us that our works, whether big or small, are accepted by God.
The Preacher also advises, "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 9:9). This verse highlights the importance of cherishing and finding joy in our relationships, particularly with our spouse. It also acknowledges that our time on earth is fleeting and that we should make the most of it.
In addition, the Preacher encourages us to be diligent and wise in our actions, stating, "Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good" (Ecclesiastes 9:18). This verse emphasizes the value of wisdom and the harm that can be caused by sin. It reminds us to make wise choices and to avoid actions that can bring harm to ourselves and others.
Ecclesiastes 9 is a reflection on the unpredictability and inevitability of life and death. It acknowledges that life is not always fair or just, and that death is a fate that awaits us all. However, it also offers advice on how to live a meaningful life in the face of these realities. The chapter encourages us to find joy in the simple pleasures of life, to cherish our relationships, and to be diligent and wise in our actions. It also reminds us to make the most of our time on earth, as death will eventually come for us all. Ultimately, Ecclesiastes 9 teaches us to embrace the uncertainties of life and to find meaning and purpose in the midst of them.
Ecclesiastes chapter 9 is a thought-provoking and reflective passage that offers insight into the human condition. It reminds us of the unpredictability and inevitability of life and death, and encourages us to live with purpose and intention. It also highlights the importance of finding joy in the simple pleasures of life and cherishing our relationships. Ultimately, Ecclesiastes 9 teaches us to make the most of our time on earth and to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's uncertainties.
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