From Dust to Dust

¹⁶ Moreover, ^(A)I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even ^(B)there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. ¹⁷ I said in my heart, ^(C)God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is ^(D)a time for every matter and for every work.

Evil Under the Sun

4 ^(A)Again I ^(B)saw all ^(C)the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had ^(D)no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. ² And I ^(E)thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. ³ But ^(F)better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

¹³ Better was ^(A)a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how ^(B)to take advice. ¹⁴ For he went ^(C)from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. ¹⁵ I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that^[a] youth who was to stand in the king's^[b] place. ¹⁶ There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is ^(D)vanity and a striving after wind.

The Vanity of Wealth and Honor

^8 (A)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, ^(B)do not be amazed at the matter, ^(C)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. ⁹ But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.^[a]

Keep the King's Command

² I say:^[a] Keep the king's command, because of ^(C)God's oath to him.^{[b] 3} Be not hasty to ^(D)go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. ⁴ For the word of the king is supreme, and ^(E)who may say to him, “What are you doing?” ⁵ Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way.^{[c] 6} For there is a time and a way ^(F)for everything, although man's trouble^[d] lies heavy on him.

¹³ I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. ¹⁵ But there was found in it ^(A)a poor, wise man, and he by his ^(B)wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man. ¹⁶ But I say that ^(C)wisdom is better than might, though ^(D)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

¹⁷ The words of the wise heard in ^(E)quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. ^18 (F)Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but ^(G)one sinner destroys much good.

⁵ There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were ^(M)an error proceeding from the ruler: ^6 (N)folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. ^7 (O)I have seen slaves ^(P)on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.