Ecclesiastes 1:2

Introduction: Utter Futility

1:2 “Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher,

“Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

Ecclesiastes 1:5

1:5 The sun rises and the sun sets;

it hurries away to a place from which it rises again.

Ecclesiastes 2:13

2:13 I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly,

just as light is preferable to darkness:

Ecclesiastes 3:10

3:10 I have observed the burden

that God has given to people to keep them occupied.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared

4:9 Two people are better than one,

because they can reap more benefit from their labor.

Ecclesiastes 6:1

Not Everyone Enjoys Life

6:1 Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth,

and it weighs heavily on people:

Ecclesiastes 6:11

6:11 The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes.

How does that benefit him?

Ecclesiastes 7:5

Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom

7:5 It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise

than to listen to the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:11

Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life

7:11 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing;

it benefits those who see the light of day.

Ecclesiastes 8:4

8:4 Surely the king’s authority is absolute;

no one can say to him, “What are you doing?”

Ecclesiastes 9:4

Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead

9:4 But whoever is among the living has hope;

a live dog is better than a dead lion.

Ecclesiastes 10:9

10:9 One who quarries stones may be injured by them;

one who splits logs may be endangered by them.

Ecclesiastes 11:2

11:2 Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments,

for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth.