Qoheleth Chapter Seven
Translation from the Lilly Pad Bible Commentary by K.D. Frogg: 1 Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what’s on the other side? 2 Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, and rainbows have nothing to hide. 3 So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it. I know they’re wrong, wait and see. 4 Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me. 5 Who said that every wish would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star? 6 Somebody thought of that and someone believed it. 7 Look what it’s done so far. 8 What’s so amazing that keeps us star gazing and what do we think we might see? 9 Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection. The lovers, the dreamers and me. All of us...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Six
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott: 1 One misfortune which I have observed under the sun, and which bears heavily on men [is this]– 2 a man to whom God grants riches, possessions, and an honored place [in the community], so that he lacks nothing that heart could desire, but whom God has not given the power to enjoy it– rather a stranger enjoys it instead. This is a hollow mockery and a sore affliction. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years and is prominent all his life, but does not find happiness– I declare that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4 Though its coming is futile and it departs in darkness, though its name is hidden in darkness and it has no burial place; 5 thought it never saw the sun nor knew...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Five
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott: 1 Be circumspect when you go to the house of God. Approach in order to learn, rather than to offer a sacrifice like that of fools who know nothing except how to do wrong. 2 Do not speak impetuously, nor think of uttering a hurried word before God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, let your words be few. 3 “A dream follows on much busyness, and a fool’s speech on too much talk.” 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be slow in paying it, for God has no liking for fools. Pay what you vow to pay. 5 It is better that you make no vow, than that you make a vow and fail to keep it. 6 Do not allow your tongue to put you in the wrong; and do not say to the messenger [who comes to collect it], “It was...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Four
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott: 1 Next I turned to consider all the acts of oppression which are done under the sun; I witnessed the tears of the oppressed who have no one to comfort them; their oppressors have power in their hands, but they themselves have no avenger. 2 I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3 Better off than either is he who has not yet been, and has not witnessed the evil that is done under the sun. 4 I saw that all a man’s toil and skill is expended through the desire to surpass his neighbor; this, too is an empty thing and a clutching at the wind. 5 [They say] “The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.” 6 I say, “Better on handful of peace, than to...
Read MoreQoheleth Chapter Three
Translation from the Anchor Bible commentary by R.B.Y. Scott: 1 Everything has its season, and there is a proper time for every happening under the sun– 2 A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot [what has been planted] 3 A time to kill and a time to heal, A time to wreck and a time to build; 4 A time to weep and a time to laugh, A time to lament and a time to dance for joy; 5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, A time to embrace and a time to shun embraces. 6 A time to seek and a time to give up, A time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together, A time to be silent and a time to speak; 8 A time to love and a time to hate, A time for war and a time for peace. 9 What does...
Read More