The Skeptics Annotated Bible (517 page)

3 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

(6.3)
“If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years … and his soul be not filled with good … an untimely birth is better than he.”

4
For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

(6.4) “For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.”

5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

6
Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

(6.6)
“Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?”

7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life
, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for
who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

(6.12) “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life … who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?” No one knows what happens after we die and no one can tell another how to live.

7
A good name is better than precious ointment
; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

(7.1)
“A good name is better than precious ointment.”

2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

(7.3-4) “Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”
314 Is it good to be happy?

(7.5-12)

5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

(7.5)
“It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.”

6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.

8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and
the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

(7.8)
“The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

(7.9) “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”

10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

(7.10)
“Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.”

11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.

12
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.

(7.12) “For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.”

13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?

14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity:
there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

(7.15) “There is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.”
33 Has there ever been a just person?
289 Does God destroy both the righteous and the wicked?

16 Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

17 Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?

18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.

19 Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

(7.20)
“For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.”
298 Does anyone ever do anything good?
33 Has there ever been a just person?
229 Do Christians sin?