| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| |
|
| 1 A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death than the day of one's birth. |
A good name – On the contrary, the truly consecrated prefer to suffer for righteousness' sake rather than win a good name among men by compromising. R1532:6
A wise worldly policy. Such as seek merely present ease should be careful to maintain a good name. R1532:6
|
| 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: in that that is the end of all men, and the living taketh it to heart. |
House of mourning – Be sympathetic with those in sorrow. R1532:6
|
| 3 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. |
|
| 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools in the house of mirth. |
|
| |
|
| 5 It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise, than to hear the song of fools. |
|
| 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. |
|
| 7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad, and a gift destroyeth the heart. |
|
| |
|
| 8 Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit. |
In spirit – Ruach, mind, disposition. E318
|
| 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be vexed; for vexation resteth in the bosom of fools. |
Hasty In thy spirit – Not to be hasty tempered. R1532:6
|
| 10 Say not, How is it that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. |
|
| |
|
| 11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance, and profitable to them that see the sun. |
|
| 12 For wisdom is a defence as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom maketh them that possess it to live. |
|
| 13 Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what he hath made crooked? |
|
| 14 In the day of prosperity enjoy good, and in the day of adversity consider: God hath also set the one beside the other, to the end that man should find out nothing of what shall be after him. |
Day of adversity – Rendered "evil" in "I create evil." (Isa. 45:7) A125
|
| |
|
| 15 All this have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth by his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his days by his wickedness. |
|
| 16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? |
Righteous over much – Since righteousness is not rewarded in the present time, keep your finger on the popular pulse and follow popular ideas. This is not the proper course for the children of God. R1532:6
Over wise – Solomon counseled an easy course of moderation. Paul advises all who are running for the prize (not open to Solomon) to be "fervent in spirit." (Rom. 12:11) R1533:4
The ease and pleasure seeker will find this to his present advantage. R1532:6
Destroy thyself – The truly consecrated prefer to suffer for righteousness' sake than to win a good name among men by a compromising policy. R1532:6
|
| 17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? |
|
| 18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God cometh forth from them all. |
|
| |
|
| 19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men that are in a city. |
|
| 20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not. |
|
| 21 Also give not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee. |
|
| 22 For also thine own heart knoweth that oftentimes thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. |
|
| |
|
| 23 All this have I tried by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. |
|
| 24 Whatever hath been, is far off, and exceeding deep: who will find it out? |
|
| 25 I turned, I and my heart, to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom and reason, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness; |
Reason – Same word as translated "account" in verse 27 and "device" in Eccl. 9:10. R4093:5*
Closely related to, and the result of, understanding. (Ex. 30:23; Isa. 11:2) R4093:5, 2*
|
| 26 and I found more bitter than death the woman whose heart is nets and snares, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her. |
|
| 27 See this which I have found, saith the Preacher, searching one by one to find out the reason; |
|
| 28 which my soul yet seeketh, and I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found. |
|
| 29 Only see this which I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices. |
Made man upright – The earthly likeness of his Creator. "In the image of God created he him." (Gen. 1:27) R1510:4, R2394:5; A171; R1794:1, R1266:1, R1091:5, R465:1
But they have – God is not guilty. R1091:4
Many inventions – Sinful, contrary devices. R866:1, R1718:3
And defiled and degraded himself. R1718:3, R2394:6, R3256:5; E406
Each different creed shows a slightly different image of God, but they are all horrible. SM443:3
|