Ecclesiastes 4; Ecclesiastes 5; Ecclesiastes 6; 2 Corinthians 12

1 When I next observed all the oppressions that take place under the sun, I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no one to comfort them. Their oppressors wield power—but they have no one to comfort them.

2 So I declare that the dead, who have already died, are more fortunate than the living, who are still alive.

3 But happier than both are those who have never existed, who haven't witnessed the terrible things that happen under the sun.

4 I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.

5 Fools fold their hands and eat their own flesh.

6 But better is resting with one handful than working hard for two fistfuls and chasing after wind.

7 Next, I saw under the sun something else that was pointless:

8 There are people who are utterly alone, with no companions, not even a child or a sibling. Yet they work hard without end, never satisfied with their wealth. So for whom am I working so hard and depriving myself of enjoyment? This too is pointless and a terrible obsession.

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their hard work.

10 If either should fall, one can pick up the other. But how miserable are those who fall and don't have a companion to help them up!

11 Also, if two lie down together, they can stay warm. But how can anyone stay warm alone?

12 Also, one can be overpowered, but two together can put up resistance. A three-ply cord doesn't easily snap.

13 A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king, who no longer listens to advice.

14 He emerged from prison to become king, even though during his rule a poor child is born.

15 I saw all who live and walk under the sun following the next youth who would rise to take his place.

16 There was no counting the number of people he ruled, but those who came later aren't happy with him. This too is pointless and a chasing after wind.

1 Watch your steps when you go to God's house. It's more acceptable to listen than to offer the fools' sacrifice—they have no idea that they're acting wrongly.

2 Don't be quick with your mouth or say anything hastily before God, because God is in heaven, but you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few.

3 Remember: Dreams come with many cares, and the voice of fools with many words.

4 When you make a promise to God, fulfill it without delay because God has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you promise.

5 Better not to make a promise than to make a promise without fulfilling it.

6 Don't let your mouth make a sinner of you, and don't say to the messenger: "It was a mistake!" Otherwise, God may become angry at such talk and destroy what you have accomplished.

7 Remember: When dreams multiply, so do pointless thoughts and excessive speech. Therefore, fear God.

8 If you witness the poor being oppressed or the violation of what is just and right in some territory, don't be surprised because a high official watches over another, and yet others stand over them.

9 But the land's yield should be for everyone if the field is cultivated.

10 The money lover isn't satisfied with money; neither is the lover of wealth satisfied with income. This too is pointless.

11 When good things flow, so do those who consume them. But what do owners benefit from such goods, except to feast their eyes on them?

12 Sweet is the worker's sleep, whether there's a lot or little to eat; but the excess of the wealthy won't let them sleep.

13 I have seen a sickening tragedy under the sun: people hoard their wealth to their own detriment.

14 Then that wealth is lost in a bad business venture so that when they have children, they are left with nothing.

15 Just as they came from their mother's womb naked, naked they'll return, ending up just like they started. All their hard work produces nothing—nothing they can take with them.

16 This too is a sickening tragedy: they must pass on just as they arrived. What then do they gain from working so hard for wind?

17 What's more, they constantly eat in darkness, with much aggravation, grief, and anger.

18 This is the one good thing I've seen: it's appropriate for people to eat, drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work under the sun during the brief lifetime that God gives them because that's their lot in life.

19 Also, whenever God gives people wealth and riches and enables them to enjoy it, to accept their place in the world and to find pleasure in their hard work—all this is God's gift.

20 Indeed, people shouldn't brood too much over the days of their lives because God gives an answer in their hearts' joy.

1 I saw a tragedy under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon humanity.

2 God may give some people plenty of wealth, riches, and glory so that they lack nothing they desire. But God doesn't enable them to enjoy it; instead, a stranger enjoys it. This is pointless and a sickening tragedy.

3 Some people may have one hundred children and live a long life. But no matter how long they live, if they aren't content with life's good things, I say that even a stillborn child with no grave is better off than they are.

4 Because that child arrives pointlessly, then passes away in darkness. Darkness covers its name.

5 It hasn't seen the sun or experienced anything. But it has more peace than those

6 who live a thousand years twice over but don't enjoy life's good things. Isn't everyone heading to the same destination?

7 All the hard work of humans is for the mouth, but the appetite is never full.

8 What advantage do the wise have over the foolish? Or what do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before the living?

9 It's better to enjoy what's at hand than to have an insatiable appetite. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.

10 Whatever happens has already been designated, and human beings are fully known. They can't contend with the one who is stronger than they are.

11 Because the more words increase, the more everything is pointless. What do people gain by it?

12 Because who knows what's good for human beings during life, during their brief pointless life, which will pass away like a shadow? Who can say what the future holds for people under the sun?

1 It is necessary to brag, not that it does any good. I'll move on to visions and revelations from the Lord.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know whether it was in the body or out of the body. God knows.

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4 I know that this man was caught up into paradise and that he heard unspeakable words that were things no one is allowed to repeat. I don't know whether it was in the body or apart from the body. God knows.

5 I'll brag about this man, but I won't brag about myself, except to brag about my weaknesses.

6 If I did want to brag, I wouldn't make a fool of myself because I'd tell the truth. I'm holding back from bragging so that no one will give me any more credit than what anyone sees or hears about me.

7 I was given a thorn in my body because of the outstanding revelations I've received so that I wouldn't be conceited. It's a messenger from Satan sent to torment me so that I wouldn't be conceited.

8 I pleaded with the Lord three times for it to leave me alone.

9 He said to me, "My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness." So I'll gladly spend my time bragging about my weaknesses so that Christ's power can rest on me.

10 Therefore, I'm all right with weaknesses, insults, disasters, harassments, and stressful situations for the sake of Christ, because when I'm weak, then I'm strong.

11 I've become a fool! You made me do it. Actually, I should have been commended by you. I'm not inferior to the super-apostles in any way, even though I'm a nonentity.

12 The signs of an apostle were performed among you with continuous endurance through signs, wonders, and miracles.

13 How were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself wasn't a financial burden on you? Forgive me for this wrong!

14 Look, I'm ready to visit you a third time, and I won't be a burden on you. I don't want your things; I want you. It isn't the children's responsibility to save up for their parents but parents for children.

15 I will very gladly spend and be spent for your sake. If I love you more, will you love me less?

16 We all know that I didn't place a burden on you, but in spite of that you think I'm a con artist who fooled you with a trick.

17 I haven't taken advantage of you through any of the people I sent to you, have I?

18 I strongly encouraged Titus to go to you and sent the brother with him. Titus didn't take advantage of you, did he? Didn't we live by the same Spirit? Didn't we walk in the same footsteps?

19 Have you been thinking up to now that we are defending ourselves to you? Actually, we are speaking in the sight of God and in Christ. Dear friends, everything is meant to build you up.

20 I'm afraid that maybe when I come you will be different from the way I want you to be, and that I'll be different from the way you want me to be. I'm afraid that there might be fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, backstabbing, gossip, conceit, and disorderly conduct.

21 I'm afraid that when I come again, my God may embarrass me in front of you. I might have to go into mourning over all the people who have sinned before and haven't changed their hearts and lives from what they used to practice: moral corruption, sexual immorality, and doing whatever feels good.