Acts 25:22-27 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, you shall hear him.… It is at this moment more than ever we are justified in saying with the wise man, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity." Where is now the splendour of the consulate? Where their brilliancy of lamps and torches; the feast of joyous assemblies? Where are the crowns and magnificent ornaments? Where the flattering reports of the city — the acclamations of the circus — the adulations of thousands of spectators? All have passed away! The wind by one blast has swept the leaves, and now they show us a dead tree torn up by the roots, so violent has been the tempest. It lies a broken ruin. Where are the pretended friends — the swarm of parasites — the tables charged with luxury — the wine circulating during entire days; where the various refinements of feasting — the supple language of slaves? What has become of them all? A dream of the night which vanishes with the day! A flower of spring, which fades in the summer — a shade which passes! a vapour which scatters! a bubble of water which bursts! a spider's web which is torn down — "Vanity of all vanities; all is vanity." Inscribe these words on your walls, on your vestments, your palaces, your streets, your windows, your doors; inscribe them on your conscience, in order that they may represent it incessantly to your thoughts. Repeat them every morning, repeat them in the evening, and in the assemblies of fashion, let each repeat to his neighbour, "Vanity of vanities; all is vanity." ( Chrysostom.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. |
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