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For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.

But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter.

Thou hast planted them, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins.

Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low;

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.