Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. A fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver. The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. Where the word of a king is, there is power. A wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. There is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it. I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy.
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill. Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. One sinner destroyeth much good.
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment,
with every secret thing,
whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
