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Ecclesiastes 9-10
New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 9-10
New King James Version
Death Comes to All
9 For I [a]considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: (A)that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. 2 (B)All things come alike to all:
One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;
To the [b]good, the clean, and the unclean;
To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good, so is the sinner;
He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But for him who 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 will die;
But (C)the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For (D)the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.
7 Go, (E)eat your bread with joy,
And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works.
8 Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.
9 [c]Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; (F)for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.
10 (G)Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your (H)might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
11 I returned (I)and saw under the sun that—
The race is not to the swift,
Nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise,
Nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favor to men of skill;
But time and (J)chance happen to them all.
12 For (K)man also does not know his time:
Like fish taken in a cruel net,
Like birds caught in a snare,
So the sons of men are (L)snared in an evil time,
When it falls suddenly upon them.
Wisdom Superior to Folly
13 This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: 14 (M)There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great [d]snares around it. 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
16 Then I said:
“Wisdom is better than (N)strength.
Nevertheless (O)the poor man’s wisdom is despised,
And his words are not heard.
17 Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard
Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war;
But (P)one sinner destroys much good.”
Wisdom and Folly
10 Dead[e] flies [f]putrefy the perfumer’s ointment,
And cause it to give off a foul odor;
So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
But a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Even when a fool walks along the way,
He lacks wisdom,
(Q)And he shows everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you,
(R)Do not leave your post;
For (S)conciliation[g] pacifies great offenses.
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
As an error proceeding from the ruler:
6 (T)Folly is set in [h]great dignity,
While the rich sit in a lowly place.
7 I have seen servants (U)on horses,
While princes walk on the ground like servants.
8 (V)He who digs a pit will fall into it,
And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
9 He who quarries stones may be hurt by them,
And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.
10 If the ax is dull,
And one does not sharpen the edge,
Then he must use more strength;
But wisdom [i]brings success.
11 A serpent may bite (W)when it is not charmed;
The [j]babbler is no different.
12 (X)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious,
But (Y)the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness,
And the end of his talk is raving madness.
14 (Z)A fool also multiplies words.
No man knows what is to be;
Who can tell him (AA)what will be after him?
15 The labor of fools wearies them,
For they do not even know how to go to the city!
16 (AB)Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
And your princes feast in the morning!
17 Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles,
And your (AC)princes feast at the proper time—
For strength and not for drunkenness!
18 Because of laziness the [k]building decays,
And (AD)through idleness of hands the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter,
And (AE)wine makes merry;
But money answers everything.
20 (AF)Do not curse the king, even in your thought;
Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
For a bird of the air may carry your voice,
And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:1 Lit. put
- Ecclesiastes 9:2 LXX, Syr., Vg. good and bad,
- Ecclesiastes 9:9 Lit. See life
- Ecclesiastes 9:14 LXX, Syr., Vg. bulwarks
- Ecclesiastes 10:1 Lit. Flies of death
- Ecclesiastes 10:1 Tg., Vg. omit putrefy
- Ecclesiastes 10:4 Lit. healing, health
- Ecclesiastes 10:6 exalted positions
- Ecclesiastes 10:10 Lit. is a successful advantage
- Ecclesiastes 10:11 Lit. master of the tongue
- Ecclesiastes 10:18 Lit. rafters sink
Ecclesiastes 9-10
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 9-10
New International Version
A Common Destiny for All
9 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them.(A) 2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad,[a] the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not.
As it is with the good,
so with the sinful;
as it is with those who take oaths,
so with those who are afraid to take them.(B)
3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all.(C) The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live,(D) and afterward they join the dead.(E) 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope[b]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;(F)
they have no further reward,
and even their name(G) is forgotten.(H)
6 Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.(I)
7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine(J) with a joyful heart,(K) for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white,(L) and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife,(M) whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot(N) in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever(O) your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,(P) for in the realm of the dead,(Q) where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.(R)
11 I have seen something else under the sun:
The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong,(S)
nor does food come to the wise(T)
or wealth to the brilliant
or favor to the learned;
but time and chance(U) happen to them all.(V)
12 Moreover, 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(W)
that fall unexpectedly upon them.(X)
Wisdom Better Than Folly
13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom(Y) that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.(Z) 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.(AA)
17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
18 Wisdom(AB) is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.
10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell,
so a little folly(AC) outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right,
but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as fools walk along the road,
they lack sense
and show everyone(AD) how stupid they are.
4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,
do not leave your post;(AE)
calmness can lay great offenses to rest.(AF)
5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun,
the sort of error that arises from a ruler:
6 Fools are put in many high positions,(AG)
while the rich occupy the low ones.
7 I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.(AH)
8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it;(AI)
whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.(AJ)
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them;
whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.(AK)
10 If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
but skill will bring success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed,
the charmer receives no fee.(AL)
12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,(AM)
but fools are consumed by their own lips.(AN)
13 At the beginning their words are folly;
at the end they are wicked madness—
14 and fools multiply words.(AO)
No one knows what is coming—
who can tell someone else what will happen after them?(AP)
15 The toil of fools wearies them;
they do not know the way to town.
16 Woe to the land whose king was a servant[c](AQ)
and whose princes feast in the morning.
17 Blessed is the land whose king is of noble birth
and whose princes eat at a proper time—
for strength and not for drunkenness.(AR)
18 Through laziness, the rafters sag;
because of idle hands, the house leaks.(AS)
19 A feast is made for laughter,
wine(AT) makes life merry,
and money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not revile the king(AU) even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words,
and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:2 Septuagint (Aquila), Vulgate and Syriac; Hebrew does not have and the bad.
- Ecclesiastes 9:4 Or What then is to be chosen? With all who live, there is hope
- Ecclesiastes 10:16 Or king is a child
Psalm 103:6-14
New King James Version
Psalm 103:6-14
New King James Version
6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 (A)He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 (B)The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 (C)He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 (D)He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He (E)removed our transgressions from us.
13 (F)As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He [a]knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
Footnotes
- Psalm 103:14 Understands our constitution
Psalm 103:6-14
New International Version
Psalm 103:6-14
New International Version
7 He made known(C) his ways(D) to Moses,
his deeds(E) to the people of Israel:
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,(F)
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;(G)
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve(H)
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love(I) for those who fear him;(J)
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions(K) from us.
Proverbs 24:10-12
New King James Version
Proverbs 24:10-12
New King James Version
10 If you (A)faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small.
11 (B)Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12 If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not (C)He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man (D)according to his deeds?
Proverbs 24:10-12
New International Version
Proverbs 24:10-12
New International Version
Saying 25
10 If you falter in a time of trouble,
how small is your strength!(A)
11 Rescue those being led away to death;
hold back those staggering toward slaughter.(B)
12 If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,”
does not he who weighs(C) the heart perceive it?
Does not he who guards your life know it?
Will he not repay(D) everyone according to what they have done?(E)
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
New King James Version
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
New King James Version
19 What am I saying then? (A)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (B)sacrifice (C)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (D)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (E)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (F)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (G)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (H)Are we stronger than He?
All to the Glory of God(I)
23 All things are lawful [a]for me, but not all things are (J)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [b]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (K)the other’s well-being.
25 (L)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (M)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (N)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (O)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [c]for (P)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (Q)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (R)over which I give thanks?
31 (S)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (T)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (U)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
- 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
New International Version
1 Corinthians 10:19-33
New International Version
19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(A) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(B) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(C) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(D) Are we stronger than he?(E)
The Believer’s Freedom
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(F) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(G)
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(H) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[a](I)
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(J) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(K) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(L) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(M)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(N) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(O) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(P)— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(Q) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(R) so that they may be saved.(S)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.