Ecclesiastes 8
Trying to understand God
Wisdom brightens your smile
1It takes a wise person to understand a proverb like this:Wisdom can light up a face.
It can soften and mellow away meanness.
Don’t mess with the king
2You promised to God you would obey the king,So do what the king commands.
3Don’t be afraid to do what he orders.
And don’t take a stand against him.
He’s the king and he can do what he wants. [1]
4His words pack a punch. So don’t argue.
Who are you to tell him,
“What do you think you’re doing?”
5People who obey him aren’t punished.
If you’re wise about it,
You’ll find a way to do what is right.
6There is a time and way to do whatever needs doing.
But troubles and worries [2] weigh heavy on the mind.
7We have no idea what’s going to happen.
Not a clue how it’s going to turn out.
8No one controls the breath [3] of life.
We don’t know when we’ll die.
When that battle comes, there’s no escape.
And sin won’t save the sinners.
When bad people get treated well
9I saw it all. I paid special attention to people who had authority over others and who mistreated those unfortunate folks.10I saw wicked bring their sacrifices to the Jerusalem Temple. And when they died, they got buried with honors. Yet I saw good people in the city ignored, as invisible. This is crazy. [4]
11There’s no rush to punish the wicked. So, when people see that, they want in on some wickedness, too. 12Bad people can sin a hundred times, and nothing happens. Their life goes on and on, like sin doesn’t matter. Yet I’m holding on to the old saying,
Life goes well when people respect God
Life cuts short when they disrespect God. 14But here’s what it’s really like under the sun:
Sometimes good folks are treated like the devil,
While bad ones get treated like saviors.
That’s insane. Just plain crazy.
Rx for the craziness: Eat life up
15But I have a prescription for that craziness.Enjoy.
That’s the best thing you can do for yourself.
Eat, drink, and have fun.
Enjoyment is the reward for the work you do
During the short life you’ll live under the sun.
God knows
16I got my head in gear to think about wisdom,And to discover the business of life.
I studied by day and I studied at night.
17I thought about all that God did.
But I couldn’t fit it all into my head.
No one knows all God does.
Some wise scholars say they do.
But this Scholar says they can’t.
Footnotes
18:3
Just a little reminder that the person credited with writing this book is Solomon, a king.
28:6
These troubles might be over what to do about the king’s orders, especially if the orders seem crazy or illegal. If not, life fills up with plenty of other troubles as well.
38:8
The Hebrew word ruah can mean “wind” or “breath” or both at the same time, in layered meanings.
48:10
The Hebrew word is hebel. It’s often translated “vanity.” It can mean a lot of other things, as well: nonsense, empty, meaningless.
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