Chapter 1
1 These are the sayings of the one who calls all together, the son of David, the king of Israel in Jerusalem.
2 ‘It is all foolishness and waste,’ said he who calls together. ‘Foolishness and waste; everything’s that’s done is in vain. 3 What value is all a man gains from his trouble, for which he’s worked hard under the sun?’
4 A generation goes and a generation comes, but the earth keeps standing through the age. 5 The sun keeps rising and setting, as it withdraws to it’s place. 6 The wind comes from the south, and it moves north in its circle, then it goes back and comes round again.
7 All the streams flow to the sea, but the sea is never filled up. Then to the places from which they came, they all return and flow back again.
8 A man can’t speak all his weary words; his eyes can’t be filled with everything to see, and his ears can’t be filled with everything to hear.
9 What is this thing that is happening? The same will happen again! What is this thing being done? The same will be done once more, for there’s nothing that’s new under the sun.
10 Who can speak out and say, ‘Look! Here is something that’s new!’ For the same thing has happened for ages, to those who have lived before us.
11 The first things that were done are forgotten, and things being done will not be remembered, by those who are born in the end.
12 The one who calls men together became king, over all of Israel in Jerusalem. 13 So, I set my heart to survey and inquire, about everything that happens under the sky. As a distraction from the bad God gave this, to the sons of men to lead them toward Him.
14 I’ve seen everything that’s done under the sun, and I find it all a waste of breath. 15 Things that go wrong are never made right, and there’s too much deficiency to be counted.
16 Once I spoke in my heart and I said, ‘Look how great I’ve become! For I’ve been given more wisdom, than all who came before me in Jerusalem!’
So, I set my heart to learn wisdom and knowledge, 17 and wisdom and knowledge my heart beheld, as well as proverbs and higher learning. This was the resolve of my spirit; 18 to gain an abundance of wisdom, along with an abundance of knowledge. But those who gain knowledge also get pain.
Chapter 2
1 I said to my heart, ‘Well come now, I’ll [fill] you with joy and then you’ll know good!’ But even that was just folly.
2 To laughter I said, ‘You’re a burden!’ And to joy I asked, ‘What’s been accomplished by you?’
3 So, I thought in my heart, ‘I’ll drink wine for my flesh,’ but my heart then led me in wisdom.
So, to joy I decided to cling, until I could see what kind of good, 4 there was in the sons of men, that they can do in their short days of life.
4 Then I went into action; I built for myself many houses. Thereafter I planted some vineyards, 5 and I made myself gardens and parks, planted with trees of all sorts of fruit. 6 [Nearby] I dug ponds and lakes, to water the groves filled with trees. 7 I acquired many slaves, both men and women, and many native servants were born.
I also acquired great herds and flocks, more than all who lived in Jerusalem before me. 8 I collected much silver and gold for myself, the possessions of kings and estates. I prepared for myself many singers, both males and females, and brought sons of men to amuse me. I had those who just served me wine, both men as well as many women, 9 then I became great and grew in my wisdom, more that all who preceded me in Jerusalem… and indeed my wisdom was established.
10 No matter what I asked for, from my eyes it wasn’t far. I didn’t withhold any joy from my heart, and my efforts made my heart glad.
So, this was the sum of my efforts. 11 Then I looked at all I’d accomplished, and at all the things I’d made with my hands, and considered the effort it required. And that’s when I saw that all things are folly, for no matter what your spirit should resolve to do, there is no advantage under the sun.
12 Thereafter I examined my wisdom, and realized that it too was folly. For, who under the sun will follow my counsel? Which man will actually do [what I’ve said]?
13 But then I beheld there’s an advantage to wisdom, that is much greater than folly, as great as the advantage of light over darkness. 14 The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool still travels in darkness. Yet I knew that they and even I, will eventually all meet together. 15 So, I said in my heart, ‘The [death] of all fools, will also soon meet up with me. So, what value has all of my wisdom?’
And this too I said in my heart: ‘[Despite] all I’ve said about being a fool, even all that is just folly, 16 for both wise and fools are forgotten in the age, and all things that follow are eventually forgotten. So, how are the wise better than fools?’
17 Then I was disgusted with life; for all I had done under the sun, would eventually end up as bad. So, all is foolishness and breath that’s exhaled.
18 So, I then became so disgusted, with all I had done under the sun. For, I’ll leave it all to the man coming after, 19 and who knows if he’s wise or a fool? Who knows if he’ll care for the things I have made, or the things under the sun I’ve discerned? So, all of this too is just folly.
20 So, I turned to dismiss from my heart, all the results of my efforts, and everything I’ve made under the sun.
21 There is a man putting effort in gaining wisdom, as well as gaining knowledge and courage. But there’s also a man who has made no such effort, and he too will be given his portion. And this is a great wicked folly.
22 What happens to a man and to all of his efforts, and the resolve of his heart under the sun? 23 During all of his days there is pain, and the rage of things being torn down. During the night his heart doesn’t rest, so indeed this too is just folly.
24 Nothing worthwhile comes to a man, but eating, and drinking, and searching for good. And from the hand of God all this comes.
25 Why, who can eat and drink next to Him? 26 To those He finds good He gives wisdom, as well as knowledge and joy. But the one who’s sinning He rips away, to [later] be added and gathered, and then be given to those who are good, that stand before the face of God. So, this is also just folly, and a waste of [good] breath.
Chapter 3
1 For all under heaven there’s a time and a season. 2 There’s a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pick; 3 a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to build and a time to tear down; 4 a time to laugh and a time to cry; a time to mourn and a time to dance; 5 a time to throw stones and a time to collect them; a time to hug and a time to push away; 6 a time to lose and a time to find; a time to keep and a time to throw away; 7 a time to sew and a time to rip out; a [good] time to speak and a time to be quiet; 8 a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace. 9 So, what can your efforts accomplish?
10 I’ve seen the amusements that God has given, to the sons of men to distract them. 11 All things that God made are good in their time. And He’s put the era [of our lives] in our hearts, so man wouldn’t know all the things He has done, from ancient times to the present.
12 I know that [for] them there’s nothing worthwhile, except to be happy and do good in their lives. 13 When a man eats and drinks and finds his ways blest, this is a gift from God.
14 I know that all things which God does, are [made] to last through the age. To them no more should you add, and from them do not take away. For, all the things that God’s done, are so we’d be in fear before Him.
15 The things that will be already are; all that will be has already become, and God searches for the thing we pursue.
16 And I still noticed that under the sun, there’s a place of judgment for the irreverent, and also a place for the righteous. 17 So, in my heart I concluded, the irreverent and the just will be judged, because there’s a season for all, and a right time for every action.’
18 I said in my heart what sons of men say, that God will examine and show they’re just cattle. 19 For, the outcome for man is the same as for his herds; as this one dies so dies the other, for they all share the very same breath. So, how are men better than cattle? They aren’t! And everything is just a joke! 20 Everything goes to the same place; it comes from the dust and returns to the dust. 21 Who knows if man’s breath will ascend, and the breath of cattle goes down to the earth?
22 So, I saw there’s [little] that’s good, except for man’s joy with the things he has done; for this is all he’s been given. And who will lead him to see, the things that will happen after [he’s gone]?
Chapter 4
1 I turned and beheld all things… the extortions and other such things, that are happening under the sun. I saw the strength in the hands of the extorters, and I saw the tears of the swindled, and that no one came to offer them comfort.
2 I praised all the things of those who have died, for more have died than now live. 3 And the best of these two is the one not yet born, who hasn’t yet seen all the evil, that’s being done under the sun. 4 I beheld all their efforts and acts of great courage, and the rivalries of man against his companion. Indeed it is all very foolish, and a huge waste of [good] breath.
5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6 For, it’s better to enjoy a handful in peace, than to have double and be bothered. This is also a waste of good breath.
7 I turned and saw foolishness under the sun. 8 For, there is one who’s alone, and there’s no one else quite like him. He has no son or a brother, and there’s no limit to all of his efforts. But with wealth his eyes are never satisfied.
Why do I make such an effort, and deprive my life of good things? Indeed this too is just folly; it’s just a distraction from bad.
9 Two are better than one, because efforts together return a good wage. 10 For, if one should stumble his partner will lift him. But woe to him who stumbles and falls, and has no partner to raise him.
11 When two share a bed they’ll be warm. But when there’s just one how can he stay warm?
12 A person alone can be beaten by another, but two can [hold their ground] against him. And a three-corded rope isn’t easily broken.
13 It’s better to be a child that’s needy and wise, than an old king who is foolish, and no longer gives heed [to good council]. 14 For, he will come from a prison to reign, and in his own kingdom he’ll be in need.
15 I’ve seen all the things of the living… all those who are walking under the sun, and the young of the next generation, who will soon be their replacements. 16 There is no limit to all of the people, or to all who have come before them. And the last take no joy in [those who came before], so this too is foolish and a waste of good breath.
Chapter 5
1 Watch your feet as you enter God’s [Temple], whenever you go there to listen. Let your sacrifices be better, than all the gifts of the fools, for they don’t know what is bad.
2 Don’t be too quick with your mouth, and don’t let your heart act too fast, to make [a vow] in the presence of God. For, God is up in the heavens, and you are here on the earth, and because of this let your words remain few.
3 Many [concerns] bring [bad] dreams, and the voice of a fool has many words.
4 When you make a vow to [your] God, don’t waste any time to pay it, for He doesn’t want foolish vows. So, whatever you vow you should bring! 5 It’s best to not vow at all, than to vow and not pay.
6 Don’t let your mouth lead your flesh into sin, or say too much in the presence of God. [Don’t say] ignorant things, so the words you say don’t anger God, and then reap the destruction of the works of your hands. 7 For, there are many daydreams and follies, so whenever you come before God, fear to say many words.
8 If you see the needy extorted and robbed, by lawsuits and legal actions somewhere, don’t pay too much attention. For high above the High One keeps watch, from [the heavens] over them all.
9 The abundance of the earth is for all, and even a king needs a field to be worked. 10 But he who loves silver never has enough, and with plenty comes more offspring. Indeed, this too is just folly. 11 For, when there are many good things, there will also be many who eat it. So, what value [is plenty] to the one who gets it, for he will only see it with his eyes.
12 Sleep is always sweet to a servant, whether he eats little or too much. But when one is rich he’s not allowed enough sleep.
13 I’ve seen much sickness under the sun, and those hoarding wealth in their trouble. 14 But their wealth is soon to be lost, so it’s just a distraction from the bad.
When a man fathers a son, he comes into [the world] with nothing. 15 From the womb of his mother he comes naked. And when he goes he leaves the same way, with nothing to show for his efforts, that he can carry along in his hands. 16 Indeed this is illness that’s evil, for as he arrived so he returns. Then, what advantage has he gained from his efforts, when they’re [blown away] in the wind?
17 Man spends his days in darkness and mourning, and in anger, and rage, and illness. 18 But {Look!} I’ve seen goodness in the things we eat and drink. I’ve also seen good come from man’s efforts, 19 and whatever he accomplishes under the sun, in the portion of life that God has allowed. 19 Those who gain wealth and possessions from God, are allowed to own it or eat it, so they reap the joy of their efforts. This is a gift from God. 20 But they won’t remember many days of their lives, for God has amused them with the joy in their hearts.
Chapter 6
1 There is something bad I’ve beheld, which is common to all men under the sun. 2 It’s when God gives him wealth, possessions, and glory, and he lacks for nothing he desires in his life, but God doesn’t allow him the time to [enjoy] it, for a man who’s a stranger [then gets] it. This is sickness and folly.
3 If a man should live a hundred years (no matter how long the days of his years), and his life isn’t filled up with goodness; before he’s even buried I would say: ‘It would be better for him if he’d been miscarried.’ 4 For in folly he came and in darkness he left, and in darkness his name will be covered. 5 Indeed, he never knew the sun, and none of those [coming] would know him from the rest. 6 And if he returned and lived a thousand years, and goodness he never knew, wouldn’t he still go to the same place all go?
7 All a man does is done to fill his mouth, yet his life is never fulfilled up. 8 For, what advantage has the wise one over the fool, for only those in need know life as it is. 9 It’s better to see it with your eyes, than to experience it in life, for all of that is also just folly, and a huge waste of good breath.
10 Whenever something new comes to be, it has already been named [in the past]. And though a man knows his own [strength], he’s unable to judge when someone is stronger.
11 There are so many things making foolishness grow, 12 and what does this mean for man? Who knows what is good for a man in his life, and how many of his days will be foolish? For, his life is much like a shadow, and who can report to a man, what under the sun will come after him?
Chapter 7
1 A good name is better than oil [for anointing], for the day that you die, is better than the day of [your] birth. 2 So, it’s better to go to a funeral, than to go to a banquet. For, that is the end of all men, and it’s good for those who are living, to take the good warnings to their hearts.
3 Indignant rage is better than laughter, for a face that is hurt makes the heart better.
4 The heart of the wise considers a funeral, but the hearts of fools just think about fun.
5 It’s better to hear the scolding of the wise, than to hear the songs of the fools.
6 As the [crackling] of tinder under the pot, is the sound of the laughter of fools, for this is also just folly.
7 Extortion wil drive wise men crazy, for it destroys the good intentions of hearts.
8 The way that a matter turns out, is better than when it was started.
It’s better [for a man] to be forgiving, than to have a high-minded spirit.
9 Don’t get angry too quickly, for rage rests in the bosom of fools.
10 Don’t ask why past days were better, for asking such a thing isn’t wise.
11 Wisdom is an abundant allotment of good, to those who can still see the sun, 12 for in its shadow is wisdom, which is the same as the shadow of silver. The advantage of those who know wisdom, is that it brings life to all those who have it.
13 Behold the actions of God! And who is able to add to, anything God may send from Himself?
14 In the day of goodness, live a good life, and watch out for the day that is evil!
{Look!} Harmonious words God has sent through this one, so man will be in need of nothing!
15 I’ve seen everything in the day of my folly. I’ve seen the righteous destroyed in their justice, and the irreverent continue in their evil.
16 Do not become overly righteous, nor too critical should you be, so you won’t be overwhelming [to others]. 17 Nor become extremely disrespectful, lest you become hard and die in your time.
18 It would be good to hang on to this, and with it don’t dirty your hands, for everything comes to those who fear God.
19 Wisdom gives help over ten rulers in a city. 20 For, there’s no man on earth who is righteous… who just does good and isn’t guilty of sin.
21 Don’t keep all things that are said in your heart, and pay no attention when your servants should curse you. 22 For, they will often act wickedly against you, and frequently they’ll hurt you at heart… just as you’ve often cursed others.
23 All these things I have tested as wisdom. For, though I said that I’d be discerning, it stayed too far from my grasp… 24 too far above and too deep below, so who is able to find it?
25 I’ve searched all around in my heart to understand; I surveyed it and I’ve sought for wisdom; I reasoned it out to know the foolishness of the impious, and how they’re misled to go wrong.
26 I find her more bitter than death; the woman with snares and nets in her heart, and slavery within her hands. Only those who’re found good before God, will be saved from her hands, but he who is sinning will be captured.
27 ‘{Look!} This is what I have found,’ says he who calls men together. ‘I counted and carefully searched, 28 seeking [an answer] with my life, but I was unable to find one. Not a man in a thousand did I find to be [righteous], nor any at all among women! 29 But this is the one thing that I’ve found: God deals with the man who is upright, and searches for ways to reward him.’
Who knows who truly is wise, and who understands the meanings of proverbs?
Chapter 8
1 Wisdom makes a face much brighter, but the face of an impudent man is detested.
2 Watch the mouth of a king, because of the oath of God! 3 Don’t depart from his face too soon, and don’t go before him for a bad reason, for he will do whatever he wishes. 4 And who will ask a king that is ruling, ‘Exactly what can you do?’
5 Those that keep the Commandments, are unaware of things that are bad; and the hearts of the wise know the time of the judgment.
6 There’s a time and a ruling for all, for the knowledge of man has a wide range. 7 Yet, no one knows what will be, so who can tell him the future?
8 No man controls [his own] spirit, nor is he able to keep it in check, and none can avoid the day of their deaths. None can avoid the day of the battle, nor can irreverence avoid what she’s due.
9 I have now seen everything, and I’ve given my heart to all that’s done under sun, and all that a man is able to do, is to bring what is bad upon him. 10 I’ve seen the irreverent carried to tombs, from the Place that is Holy. And as they [were carried] they were praised in the city, for all the things they had done… and this too is just folly.
11 When no one opposes those who do evil, the hearts of men feel secure, and are quick in turning to bad. 12 Then those who have sinned are guilty of evil, which lasts through the rest of their lives.
I know that good things will come, to all the ones who fear God, so they should fear when before Him. 13 But good does not come to the irreverent, and they don’t lengthen their days; they are just shadows [that pass], for they have no fear before God.
14 There’s folly that’s done on the earth, of which the righteous are guilty. And the irreverent also are guilty, the same as are the righteous… and this too is very foolish. 15 For, I offered up praise in my joy, but there’s no good thing that happens to man, anywhere under the sun, except eating and drinking and mirth… and that’s all there is to man’s efforts. It’s what he’s been given by God, as [his portion] under the sun.
16 So, I turned my heart to learn wisdom, and to see all the distractions being done on the earth. For, both day and night men sleep with [closed] eyes, so they’re unable to see.
17 And thereafter, I also saw all; the actions of God that men haven’t [seen], anywhere under the sun. For, despite all the efforts man puts into searching, he’s been unable to find. And indeed; though the wise always speak about knowledge, they are unable to find it. I gave my heart [to learning] all this, and it’s all that my heart beheld.
Chapter 9
1 The deeds of the righteous and wise, are all in the hands of God. For, with all their loves and dislikes, man doesn’t understand all the things [that he sees], 2 so there is foolishness in all.
There are things that happen to the righteous, and things that happen to the irreverent, and to both can come good or bad. There are the clean and the unclean; there are those who sacrifice [to God], and those who will offer Him nothing; and the same things [happen to] the good, as to all those who are sinning… to those who’ll swear by an oath, and those that are afraid to swear. 3 In all of this there is evil, in all that’s done under the sun, for the same things happen to all.
Indeed; the hearts of sons of men are filled with evil, and madness throughout all their lives, and then they go to the dead. 4 But, for those who are living there is hope, since a live dog is greater than a lion that has died. 5 For, the living know that they’ll die, but the dead know nothing at all, nor do they have a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Both their loves and dislikes are just gone, and their zeal has already perished. Then through the age they’ll have no involvement, in anything that’s done under the sun.
7 So, come eat your bread in joy, and drink to your heart with fine wines, and God will think well of your actions. 8 May the clothes that you wear always be white, and may there be plenty of oil for your head. 9 Share your life with the wife you have loved, all the days of the life of your folly. For, under the sun this was all you were given, and all the days of your life are a waste. This is all that your life amounts to, for all of your efforts under the sun.
10 So, all that your hands find to do, do with all of your power, because there’s no doing, or thinking, or knowledge, or wisdom, in the place of the dead where you’re going.
11 I turned and beheld that under the sun, the race isn’t won by those light of foot, nor is the battle [always] won by the mighty. The wise aren’t always those who eat bread, the discerning aren’t always the rich, nor are those with knowledge shown favor. Yet, there’s a time and a meeting for all, 12 but none know when their time will come. As fish being caught in a net, and birds being trapped in a snare, the sons of man are ensnared, in a bad time that suddenly comes upon them. 13 I’ve beheld all this wisdom under sun, and it’s resting heavily upon me.
14 If a city is small, with just a few men living there, and a mighty king comes and surrounds it, and builds around it high siege mounds, 15 and if a man poor but wise can be found there, and his wisdom can save that city, all will forget he was poor.
16 So I say, ‘Wisdom is better than power.’ But the wisdom of the poor is treated with contempt, and no one pays attention to his words. 17 Yet, the words of the wise with no work to do, should be heeded above the foolish cries, of those who are in authority. 18 For, wisdom is better than weapons of war, but the sins of one [void] the goodness of many.
Chapter 10
1 As a dead fly spoil a concoction of good oils, a little wisdom overpowers the glory of great folly.
2 The heart of the wise is at his right hand, but the heart of a fool is on his left. 3 So, whichever way that a fool may choose to go, in his heart he’ll fail so he considers it folly.
4 If the spirit of a ruler flares against you, do not flee from your place, for [time] will heal all great sins.
5 There’s a wickedness I’ve seen under the sun; it’s when a ruler does something in haste, 6 and puts a fool in a lofty position; because this depresses the wealthy. 7 I’ve seen slaves riding on horses, and princes walking like slaves on the ground.
8 The one who is digging a cesspool, is the one who’ll fall in it; and he who is moves a boundary marker, will be bitten by a snake. 9 The one carrying rocks will work hard among them, but the one splitting logs is exposed to great danger, 10 for the [head of an axe] could fly off.
As the power of a man whose face is disturbed, will thereafter make him much stronger, abundance will come to the man who is wise.
11 If a snake charmer whispers and you’re bitten by his snake, then all of his charming is worthless.
12 Words from a wise mouth bring favor, but the lips of a fool will sink him. 13 For, from the start all the words from his mouth are just foolish, and they end in wickedness and madness.
14 The fool often speaks many words, but he knows not the things that have happened, or of things that will be [in the future], so who will follow [behind him] to tell him?
15 The efforts of fools bring them trouble, as those who don’t know when [to flee] to the city.
16 Woe to you, O city, where your king is young and his rulers eat their meals in the mornings. 17 Blest is the land whose king is the son, of those who were born free, and whose rulers eat at the right times. For what they eat makes them strong, so they will never be shamed.
18 By sloth and neglect a home [falls apart], and with hands that are idle [its roof] starts to leak.
19 Bread, wine, and oil are made to cause laughter, and to bring joy to the living… but they must be [paid for] with money.
20 Never curse a king in your mind, nor curse the rich in your bedrooms or closets, for your words will be carried by birds in the sky, and those with wings will report what you said.
Chapter 11
1 Scatter your [seeds] on the surface of the water, and after some time you will find them. 2 Then [share] a portion with seven or eight, for you know not what bad may come to the land. 3 Thereafter the clouds may be filled up with rain, and bring a [flood] to the land.
If a tree should fall toward the south, or if it should fall to the north, wherever it falls that’s where it stays. 4 So, be careful not to scatter your seeds in the wind, and he who looks to the clouds will not harvest, 5 for they do not show the way the wind blows.
As with bones in the womb of a woman who’s pregnant, you don’t know the actions of God, or any of the things He will do. 6 So, start your planting in the morning, and don’t stay your hand in the evening, for you never know what’ll grow here, or what will grow over there, or if the two will grow well together.
7 Daylight is sweet so it’s good for the eyes, to be able to see by the sun. 8 But if many years of a man should be joyful, he’ll also remember dark days (they’ll be many), and all that come are just folly.
9 Take joy, young man, in your youth; and may your heart do good in the days of your youth. May your heart walk in unblemished ways, not in the ways that you see with your eyes… for know that this leads to God’s judgment.
10 Remove all rage from your heart, and all the wickedness from your flesh, for the thoughtlessness of youth is just folly!
Chapter 12
1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, for bad days will come [all too soon], and the years will arrive when you’ll say, ‘I never wanted [to see] them!’
2 [It’s a time when] the sun becomes dark, and you’ll not see the light of the moon or the stars, or clouds returning after the rain. 3 It’s a day when the keepers of the house will start shaking… when powerful men become scattered, and women who grind become idle, for just a few then remain. Women will then stare from windows into darkness, 4 and lock all their doors [in fear], at the sounds of women who are grinding in the market.
Then the sound of a sparrow will wake you; and the daughters of song will be humbled. 5 From above they’ll look down and see, frightening things on the road. And at the time when almonds should blossom, the locusts will grow to be many, and capers will be scattered all around. For man has gone to his home of the age. Then people will [walk in] circles in the market, beating their chests in mourning.
6 The cord that was silver then lies on the ground, the decoration of gold is now broken; the bucket at the well has been shattered, and the wheel has rolled in the pit. 7 Then that which is dust will go back, to the ground from which it once came, and to the God who gave it his breath will return.
8 ‘Oh how silly and foolish,’ says he who gathers. 9 Yet to him there came even more wisdom, and he taught all his knowledge to man… he traced it all out and composed it as proverbs.
10 The one who gathers searched for the words, and then wrote them down as right ways of truth; 11 as words of the wise and as ox goads, and as nails that have been hammered in tight. They’re agreeable things that have come from a shepherd. 12 So, carefully guard them O my son!
Many scrolls have been written (there’s no limit to them), and spending much time thinking of them, is just a weariness of flesh. 13 But listen, for this is the end of the matter: Fear God and keep His Commandments… this is all there is for a man! 14 Anything else leads to judgment by God, and all is found to be just bad or good.
Notes
Soul or?
The Greek word psyche (as in psychology) has been translated many ways, including soul, life, etc. However, psyche actually means something that breathes. It is used in the Bible to describe both breathing animals and breathing humans. So, by definition, a soul cannot leave the body, because a soul is what the living body (whether human or animal) is (see Genesis 2:7).
In ancient Greece, philosophers eventually added another meaning to psyche: The inner person (as opposed to the person that others see and come to know). And with time, the pagan religion of Greece started to teach that this inner person is its own entity and can never die (is immortal). Over the centuries, this pagan Greek doctrine crept into the Christian religions.
However, such Greek philosophical thought never influenced Jesus and his Apostles. So, they consistently used psyche to indicate a living person or animal. The teaching that the soul is immortal stands in direct conflict with Jesus’ promise of a resurrection, because, if a person is immortal (can never die) he/she can never be resurrected (brought back to life).
In addition, the teaching of the immortality of the human soul is totally without support from the Bible. The word immortal(ity) (Gr: athanasia or undying) is only mentioned in the Bible in two places, and it isn’t used with or applied to the word soul in either case. Both of these scriptures show that immortality is only given by God as a reward for righteousness. And as Ezekiel 18:4 says, ‘The person (gr. psyche or ‘soul’) that is sinning will die (gr. apothaneitai).’
Of course, there are places in the Bible where the word soul means more than just a living, fleshly body. For example, God is recorded to have spoken of ‘My Soul’ in several places. Obviously, God is much more than just a ‘soul’ as most people think of that term, and He surely wasn’t talking about His having a human body. So, we must conclude that what He was referring to is His life.
Then there are Jesus’ words found at Matthew 10:28, which read, ‘Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the person (psyche). Rather, be afraid of Him who can destroy both the person and the body in the garbage dump.’ Here, Jesus is using the word psyche (soul) to refer to the value of life that remains with God until the resurrection. And he obviously isn’t referring the soul as immortal here, because he says God will destroy (gr. apolesai) the [unrighteous] soul or person.
Unfortunately, no single word that can be used to translate psyche in every possible Bible application, so various terms are used herein, depending on the circumstances, but always in an attempt to harmonize with the meaning.
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The Heavens or Sky, the Earth or the Land?
Throughout the Scriptures, we find all the realm of creation divided into three entities, the heavens (or sky), the earth (the land or ground), and the seas (the waters). Now, in contemporary English we understand that there is a difference between the heavens and the sky, the earth and the land (or ground), and the seas and waters. However, in both Hebrew and Greek, these fine distinctions that we accept because of our modern technology, can’t be found. So, Genesis 1:1 could literally be translated as, ‘In an ancient time God made the sky and the ground.’
This is accurate, because it was the view of man from the earth. There was the land that he stood on, the sky above, and the water. There was no technical understanding of the earth as a planet because, men didn’t view the earth as we do today, as a ball in space… it just wasn’t necessary at the time. However, because of these distinctions that we understand so well today, translators must choose the proper words to provide the right nuances in English, so readers can grasp the proper meaning of each text.
This is why you’ll find the Greek word ourano translated as both heaven(s) and sky herein, depending on the context. You’ll also find the Greek word ges translated as earth, ground, or land, depending on the context. So, the symbolic words at Romans 3:5, for example, are translated herein as, ‘The ancient earth and sky weren’t covered by water. However, (obeying God’s instructions) they stood together between the water [that was above and below].’
Notice that the ‘earth and sky’ were located ‘between the water.’ So, although other Bibles translated this verse as speaking of the ‘heavens and earth,’ the reference is to that portion of the heavens that are close to the earth, or the sky. Likewise, at Matthew 5:5, where Jesus spoke of the ‘gentle’ as inheriting the earth; since he was talking about people receiving an ‘allotment’ on the earth, we have chosen to translate ges as earth, not ground.
In the case of where EliJah was taken in a celestial chariot, most people think he was taken to (as their Bibles put it) ‘heaven,’ where he went to live with God. This isn’t true, because King JehoRam later received a letter from Elijah (see 2 Chronicles 21:12). So, God had apparently used the celestial chariot to take him to another place here on the earth. For more information on this, see the linked document, ‘The Hereafter.’
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Hades: Hell or the Grave?
The Greek word hades (they pronounced it hahdess) has been translated both as Hell (which is thought of as a place of torture) and as the Grave in other Bible versions (such as the King James). Since one word can’t mean two very different things, which translation is correct?
Hades (like the English word Hell) actually means the place of the dead. However, as pagan Greek philosophy started to develop, then creep into Christianity, the latter-day Greek view of hades (a place of torture) was applied to it. Was this a correct application?
An insight into how the ancient Hebrews and the early Christians understood the word can be gained by looking at how it was applied in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Ancient Scriptures of Israel (the ‘Old Testament’) which was the Bible of Jesus’ day. There, the Hebrew word sheol is translated into Greek as hades in every instance, yet in each case, these are obvious references to the grave (the place of the dead), not to a place of conscious torture (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10).
Another revealing application of the word hades is found at Revelation the 20:13. It says there, ‘ The sea (gr. he thalassa) gave up its dead, death and the grave (gr. thanatos kai ho hades) gave up those dead in them, and they were all judged by the things they did.’
Notice that those who die at sea are differentiated from those who are buried in graves (hades) and in other places (thanatos). So, Hades is better translated as grave.
In the book of Job, another word that is used once in the Christian Era Scriptures and often translated as Hell, is found in two scriptures. That Greek word is Tartarus, which refers to the place where evil gods or angels are sent. For more information, see the linked document ‘Is There a Burning Hell?’
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Blest or Happy?
There is quite a debate as to whether the Greek word makarios found in many places throughout the Bible should be translated blessed or happy.
Notice that we have chosen to translate it as blest, which is an older spelling of the word blessed, to get rid the affected pronunciation that was likely introduced by early preachers (blessed).
According to Zodhiates’ Complete Word Study Dictionary, the word should never translated happy, because happy is derived from the words happen, happening, or happenstance (luck). His reasoning (which we agree with) is that, when someone suffers for the sake of righteous principles, his/her reward isn’t just happiness (which can come from any source of good luck or fortune), but rather, it is a joy that comes from gaining a better relationship with God.
In other words, there is no exact word in English to use here, but blest seems to be a closer alternative than happy
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Wicked Zeal
At Psalm 37:8 we read, ‘Stop being angry and abandon your rage. Don’t allow zeal to make you act wicked’ (yes we know, the word should be wickedly, but this is poetic license). However, those words could also be translated as, ‘Do not allow jealously to cause you to act wickedly,’ because the Greek word zelos can be translated zealous or jealous, depending on the circumstances, for both words mean the same thing. Yet, the two words imply different things in English.
Zeal is usually thought of as something good… something all Christians should have, as in zeal for God and righteousness. And jealously is thought of as something bad… as wanting something another has. Yet, God is spoken of, as being jealous over His Name and His position as God, so jealously isn’t always a bad thing. We can have zeal (a burning desire to own) for things that are ours and we are proud of, and be jealous for things that belong to others. So, one may be translated as zeal and the other as jealously, depending on the setting.
As you can see, the words of Psalm 37:8 could be speaking of jealously as something that causes us to act badly. Yet recognize that any sort of misplaced zeal can cause us to do the same. Take for example, the Spanish Inquisition. In the late 1400s and early 1500s, religious people in their zeal for their religion tortured and murdered thousands horribly. This is an example of zeal causing Christians to act wickedly, and any of us can do the same when we treat someone badly or speak badly to others who may disagree with things we hold sacred. We find this to be a common failing in conversations on the Internet and among religious leaders when teaching their flocks!
Remember that Jesus said that only the ‘meek will inherit the earth.’ And notice what other good advice we are given from the Scriptures:
· 1 Peter 3:15 ’Make the Chosen One the Holy Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to defend [the faith] to anyone who demands to know why you have this hope. However, do this calmly and with [Godly] fear.’
· John 3:10, 11 ‘Now, it’s easy to tell the children of God from the children of the Slanderer, because all those who aren’t righteous and those who don’t love their brothers haven’t been fathered by God. Why, from the earliest [days] you’ve heard the message that we should love each other.’
· 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ’Love is patient and kind. Love isn’t envious, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t conceited, it doesn’t scheme, it doesn’t just watch out for itself, it doesn’t stir things up, it doesn’t hold a grudge, it doesn’t rejoice over unrighteous things. Rather, it rejoices over things that are true. It covers everything, believes everything, hopes everything, and endures everything. Love never fails.’
· Luke 12:45, 46 ‘But if that slave should ever say in his heart, My master is taking his time in coming, and starts beating the male and female servants, then feasts, drinks, and gets drunk, that slave’s master will come on a day and hour that he isn’t expected, and he will whip him and assign him with the unfaithful.’
Then, is it proper for a man to be jealous of his wife or a wife to be jealous of her husband? No, we should never be jealous of each other, but for each other. We shouldn’t want what the other has, but we should have a burning zeal for each other.
Yet, we often hear of the bad acts or a jealous husband or wife, which may or may not be zeal or jealously. If one has good reason to worry about losing the love of the other that is zeal. However, if such concern is baseless, that is wicked suspicion, not jealously.
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Age
The Greek word aionos is what the English word eon is derived from. It means an indefinite period. However, there is no exact English word to translate it. The best equivalents are age(s) or era. Please note that where the plural form of the word (ages) is used, it refers to a long time, at least multiple generations. However, where the singular form is used (age or era), this appears to mean a much shorter period, such as a lifetime, generation, or era. And where the term ‘ages of ages’ is used (such as at Ephesians 3:21), which is usually said in reference to God, we would assume that this truly means forever.
It is noteworthy that aionos is the word that is used in the Greek Septuagint in place of the Hebrew word ohlam, which is also translated as forever and time indefinite in popular versions of the Hebrew Scriptures. So, this one word (aionos) is translated as forever, everlasting, eternal, system of things, time indefinite, [end of] the world, long ago, from of old, etc. Obviously, something is very wrong here, because the word can’t mean a period having a definite end in one place and infinity in another.
Take for example, the unique way that aionos is used in the question that Jesus’ Apostles asked him, which is found at Matthew 24:3, ‘Tell us, when will these things happen? What will be the signs when you are near and this age will finally end?’
The word aionos (which we have translated as age here) is also translated as world (KJ) and as system of things (NW) in other Bibles. However, if the Apostles had meant any of those words, they would have used the Greek word cosmos, not aionos for world or system of things.
You can see that the word aionos obviously doesn’t mean forever, everlasting, or eternal in this case, nor did it mean world or system of things. It simply meant the age or time before the end would come. And for them, that meant the age when the Temple at Jerusalem would be destroyed, because that is what Jesus just told them.
The ancient Hebrews viewed everything (and rightly so) as having a beginning and an end. For that reason, you will only find three places in the Bible where words are used that imply no end and none that imply no beginning. An interesting possible insight on the reason for this can be found at Hebrews 1:10-12, which says:
‘Long ago, O Lord, You laid the foundation of the earth and Your hands made the heavens. They will destroy themselves, but You will remain. They will grow old just like clothes do. Then, as [You would do to] a robe, You will wrap them up and repair them like clothes. Yes, You are the One, and Your years will never run out.’
The problem with most Bible translations is that when they encounter the word aionos in all its different tenses, they interpret it according to accepted doctrine, not according to the way that Jesus and his disciples used it. So, the common renderings forever, eternal, and everlasting are used even when the word is in its singular form (aioni, aiona, aionos, aioniǒn, aionian, aionios, aioniou), and this totally distorts the meaning of the text.
Take for example, the scripture at John 5:24, where Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth; the one who hears what I say and believes in the One that sent me will have life in this age. He won’t have to be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.’
Most Bibles translate Jesus as saying that those who believe in the One who sent him will have everlasting life (or the equivalent). However, the words that Jesus used there were, zoe aioniŏn (life age – singular), not zoe aioniōn (life ages – plural).
Notice how Jesus explained the meaning of these words with his next statement, ‘He won’t have to be judged, but has crossed over from death to life.’
So, what Jesus was saying here, wasn’t that they would have everlasting life, but that they would (in their current life) be considered among the ‘living,’ not among the ‘dead’ (see Revelation 20:12). This doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t live forever; it’s just that Jesus wasn’t really saying that.
From consideration of the evidence found in the bulk of Jesus’ words about life, the conclusion might be logically reached that he never taught the hope of ‘life eternal,’ ‘everlasting life,’ or ‘immortality,’ in those specific words. However, the concept is still there. What he taught was that (unlike those whom God considers to be ‘dead’) living people would receive ‘life in the age,’ meaning, they will be considered worthy of life by God during their lifetimes. How long these ages will last is unclear from the references. Yet, as Jesus said, everyone who puts faith in him will be given this life.
Two words imply infinity in the Bible. One is the Greek word athanasia, which means undying or immortal(ity) and is only found in two places, 1 Corinthians the Fifteenth Chapter (where it mentions resurrected ones as clothing themselves with immortality) and at 1 Timothy 6:16 (where it speaks of Jesus as having received it). The other Greek word, aidios, which is found at Romans 1:20 and at Jude 6, is used to describe God’s Power and Might as eternal.
For more information, select the linked document, The Hereafter.
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Breath
The Greek word pneuma (as in pneumonia, a breathing disease) means breath or wind – the movement of air. In other Bible translations, this word is often translated as spirit or ghost – as in Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost. However, spirit is just a shortened form of the Latin word espiritu, which just means breath in Latin. And ghost conveys another meaning altogether.
The most common use of the word pneuma in the Bible is to imply an unseen force (such as breath or wind). And the problem with translating it as spirit or ghost is that many people have started believing that the unseen force that is called [God’s] Holy Breath herein, is another God-like person and part of a Divine ‘Trinity.’ This can’t be true, because the only scripture that can be used to support this theory (that is, where the Father, the Son, and the Holy Breath are supposed to be ‘one’) is found at Matthew 28:19, which simply says that baptism should be done ‘in the name of’ (or, in recognition of) these three. All other scriptures that are used to prove the Trinity theory fail to mention the Holy Breath as part of that group. And the King James wording of 1 John 5:7 (which was used for years to attempt to prove the Trinity) is spurious (something that was added to the Bible).
So to prevent confusion, the Greek word pneuma is usually translated as breath here. The only exceptions would be in instances where the Bible refers to demons as ‘spirits.’ Translating pneuma as breath in these cases, although correct, might just be confusing.
Another important use of the word pneuma is in the phrase, ‘Breath of Life.’ This phrase means more than just breathing, it refers to the entire mechanics of life itself. It’s the unseen force of life for all creatures. It’s what makes each cell alive. However, nowhere does the Bible describe the ‘pneuma’ as immortal, nor is it the same as the soul (a breathing thing), so it can (figuratively) ‘return to God’ at death,’ because all hope of future life depends on God and His promise of a resurrection.
Note in particular how the term Breath is used at Job 27:3, where Job spoke of God’s Breath or Spirit. For there he asked, ‘Does the Breath of the Divine One remain in my nose?’ As you can see from his application of this word, pneuma obviously referred to God’s Breath in this case, not to a person or to an unseen force. He was talking about that which comes from God and caused him to breathe… the Breath of Life
For more information, see the attached link, The Powers of God’s Holy Spirit.
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Funeral
At Ecclesiastes 7:2 we rendered the Greek words ‘Agathon poreuthenai eis oikon penthous’ as ‘It’s better to attend a funeral.’ Yet, a word-for-word translation says ‘Is/good to/go into a/house of/mourning.’ Why have we made this change? Because, modern terminology would refer to this as attending a funeral, and that’s what we should think of when reading Solomon’s words.
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Bread on Water?
Much has been written about the meaning of Solomon’s words where he wrote (at Ecclesiastes 11:1), ‘aposteilon ton arton epi prosopon tou hydatos oti en plethei ton hemeron heureseis auton,’ or, ‘Send the bread yours on face the waters and in many the days find it.’ And we have often been repulsed by the thought of receiving cold, soggy bread. But, what was Solomon actually talking about?
While the Greek word arton is usually translated as bread, loaf, or loaf of bread, in ancient times it also referred to just grains of wheat. As was the case where Jesus and his Apostles were walking through wheat field and picking and eating grains along the way, so this was true of the ‘bread’ that Jesse gave his youngest son David to carry to his brothers in battle, which consisted of both roasted grain and loaves (1 Samuel 17:17).
So, the apparent meaning of Solomon’s words are as we rendered them: ‘Scatter your [seeds] on the surface of the water, and after some time you will find them.’ And while the meaning may still not be apparent to many, realize that seeds which are scattered over dry ground are usually eaten by birds, so the practice was to do the planting after a hard rain or after irrigation. And the seeds were scattered on the top of the water to cause them to germinate and quickly root.
Of course, Solomon wasn’t really giving advice on planting, his words were in the form of a parable or illustration, and they implied that being liberal with the things one has would result in receiving liberally from others.
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