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Ecclesiastes

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Chapter 1Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 1: Vanity of Vanities

Ecclesiastes begins with the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. He says, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. The word vanity means a breath or vapor, something that does not last. He asks what man gains from all his labor under the sun. One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and sets, the wind turns around, and the rivers run into the sea. There is no new thing under the sun. The Preacher sought wisdom, but found that it did not satisfy him.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 2Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 2: Light Excels Darkness

In Ecclesiastes 2 the Preacher tests pleasure, laughter, and great works. He built houses, planted vineyards, made gardens and pools, and gathered silver and gold. Then he called all his works vanity and a chasing after wind. He saw that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. Yet the wise and the fool both die. He concludes that to eat, drink, and enjoy good in one's labor is from the hand of God, and that God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to the man who pleases him.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 3Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 3: A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3 begins, For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. The Preacher lists times to plant and to pluck up, to weep and to laugh, to keep silence and to speak, and for war and peace. The Preacher says that God has made everything beautiful in its time, and that He has also set eternity in their hearts. He says that to eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God, and that whatever God does, it shall be forever. The Preacher also sees wickedness in the place of justice, but says God will judge the righteous and the wicked.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 4Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 4: Two Are Better Than One

In Ecclesiastes 4 the Preacher sees the tears of those who were oppressed, who had no comforter. He sees that much labor comes from envy of a neighbor. Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. He sees a man who is alone, working without end. Two are better than one, because if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 5Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 5: Guard Your Steps

Ecclesiastes 5 teaches how to come before God. Guard your steps when you go to God's house; to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools. Don't be rash with your mouth, for God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. When you vow a vow to God, pay it. He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet. Naked a man came, and naked he shall go. To enjoy good in one's labor and rejoice in it is the gift of God.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 6Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 6: Who Knows What Is Good?

Ecclesiastes 6 describes a heavy evil under the sun: a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, yet who does not enjoy them. Even if a man lives a thousand years twice told, and yet fails to enjoy good, he goes to one place like all others. All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. The Preacher ends by asking, who knows what is good for man in life, and who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 7Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 7: Better Things

Ecclesiastes 7 is a list of better things. A good name is better than fine perfume. It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than the song of fools. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Don't be hasty in your spirit to be angry. Don't say, Why were the former days better than these? Wisdom is a defense and preserves the life of him who has it. In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider. Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesn't sin. God made mankind upright, but they search for many inventions.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 8Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 8: Better with Those Who Fear God

Ecclesiastes 8 begins, Who is like the wise man? A man's wisdom makes his face shine. The Preacher says to keep the king's command because of the oath to God. Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, people are set to do evil. Yet the Preacher knows that it will be better with those who fear God. He commends joy, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, to drink, and to be joyful. No one can find out all the work of God.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 9Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 9: The Poor Wise Man

Ecclesiastes 9 says that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God. One event comes to all. For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; a living dog is better than a dead lion. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The Preacher tells of a little city besieged by a great king. A poor wise man delivered the city by his wisdom, yet no man remembered him. Wisdom is better than weapons of war.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 10Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 10: A Little Folly

Ecclesiastes 10 is a collection of proverbs. Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. Gentleness lays great offenses to rest. He who digs a pit may fall into it. If the ax is blunt, one must use more strength; but skill brings success. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. By slothfulness the roof sinks in. Don't curse the king, not even in your thoughts, for a bird of the sky may carry your voice.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 11Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 11: Cast Your Bread on the Waters

Ecclesiastes 11 teaches generosity and diligence when the future is unknown. Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight. He who observes the wind won't sow. You don't know the work of God who does all. In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening don't withhold your hand. Truly the light is sweet. Rejoice, young man, in your youth, but know that God will bring you into judgment.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5
Chapter 12Preschool–Grade 5

Ecclesiastes 12: Remember Your Creator

Ecclesiastes 12 begins, Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come. The Preacher pictures old age in poetry: the sun and stars grow dark, the keepers of the house tremble, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. The words of the wise are like goads. The book ends: This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment.

Pre-KKGr 1Gr 2Gr 3Gr 4Gr 5

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