| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | International Standard Version |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1 Watch your step whenever you visit God's house, and come more ready to listen than to offer a fool's sacrifice, since fools never think they're doing evil. |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2 Don't be impulsive with your mouth nor be in a hurry to talk in God's presence. Since God is in heaven and you're on earth, keep your speech short. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Too many worries lead to nightmares, and a fool is known from talking too much. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4When you make a promise to God, don't fail to keep it, since he isn't pleased with fools. Keep what you promise— |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5it's better that you don't promise than that you do promise and not follow through. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Never let your mouth cause you to sin and don't proclaim in the presence of the angel, "My promise was a mistake," for why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy what you've undertaken? |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, it is more important to fear God. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Don't be surprised when you see the poor oppressed and the violent perverting both justice and verdicts in a province, for one high official watches another, and there are ones higher still over them. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Also, the increase of the land belongs to everyone; the king himself is served by his field. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13I have observed a painful tragedy on earth: Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him, |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances. Then a son is born, but there is nothing left for him. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Just as he came naked from his mother's womb, he will leave as naked as he came; he will receive no profit from his efforts— he cannot carry away even a handful. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16This is also a painful tragedy: However a person comes, he also departs; so what does he gain as he labors after the wind? |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17Furthermore, all his days he lives in darkness with great sorrow, anger, and affliction. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person's work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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