so I may see the prosperity ¹  of your chosen ones, rejoice along with your nation, ²  and boast along with the people who belong to you. ³ 

My fruit is better than the purest gold, ¹  and what I produce ²  is better than choice silver.

A person will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words, ¹  and the work of his hands ²  will be rendered to ³  him.

So I decided ¹  to discern the benefit of ²  wisdom and knowledge over ³  foolish behavior and ideas; ⁴  however, I concluded ⁵  that even ⁶  this endeavor ⁷  is like ⁸  trying to chase the wind! ⁹ 

So I thought to myself, “The fate of the fool will happen even to me! ¹  Then what did I gain by becoming so excessively ²  wise?” ³  So I lamented to myself, ⁴  “The benefits of wisdom ⁵  are ultimately ⁶  meaningless!”

So I loathed ¹  life ²  because what happens ³  on earth ⁴  seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom ⁵  are futile – like chasing the wind.

When someone’s ¹  prosperity ²  increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner ³  gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? ⁴ 

“If ¹  you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners ²  love those who love them. ³ 

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, ¹  so that when it runs out you will be welcomed ²  into the eternal homes. ³ 

I sent you to reap what you did not work for; others have labored and you have entered into their labor.”

The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! ¹  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. ² 

You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, ¹  saying to Abraham, ‘And in your descendants ²  all the nations ³  of the earth will be blessed.’ ⁴ 

You know that I did not hold back from proclaiming ¹  to you anything that would be helpful, ²  and from teaching you publicly ³  and from house to house,

For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, ¹  who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory.

If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, ¹  but do not have love, I receive no benefit.

So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

If you forgive anyone for anything, I also forgive him – for indeed what I have forgiven (if I have forgiven anything) I did so for you in the presence of Christ,

Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, ¹  we do not become discouraged. ²