The Berean Pursuit
As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer's oil,
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
A wise man's heart inclines to the right,
but the heart of a fool to the left.
Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking,
and he shows everyone that he is a fool.
If the ruler's temper flares against you, do not abandon your post,
for calmness lays great offenses to rest.
There is an evil I have seen under the sun-
an error that proceeds from the ruler:
Folly is appointed to great heights,
but the rich sit in lowly positions.
I have seen slaves on horseback,
while princes go on foot like slaves.
He who digs a pit may fall into it,
and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake.
The one who quarries stones may be injured by them,
and he who splits logs endangers himself.
If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened,
more strength must be exerted,
but skill produces success.
If the snake bites before it is charmed,
there is no profit for the charmer.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
The beginning of his talk is folly,
and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Yet the fool multiplies words.
No one knows what is coming,
and who can tell him what will come after him?
The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city.
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth,
and whose princes feast in the morning.
Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles,
and whose princes feast at the proper time-
for strength and not for drunkenness.
Through laziness the roof caves in,
and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks.
A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life merry,
but money is the answer for everything.
Do not curse the king even in your thoughts,
or curse the rich even in your bedroom,
for a bird of the air may carry your words,
and a winged creature may report your speech.
Cast your bread upon the waters,
for after many days you will find it again.
Divide your portion among seven, or even eight,
for you do not know what disaster may befall the land.
If the clouds are full,
they will pour out rain upon the earth;
whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where it falls, there it will lie.
He who watches the wind will fail to sow,
and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the bones are formed in a mother's womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.
Sow your seed in the morning,
and do not rest your hands in the evening,
for you do not know which will succeed,
whether this or that, or if both will equally prosper.
Light is sweet,
and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
So if a man lives many years,
let him rejoice in them all.
But let him remember the days of darkness,
for they will be many.
Everything to come is futile.
Rejoice, O young man, while you are young,
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
Walk in the ways of your heart
and in the sight of your eyes,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you to judgment.
So banish sorrow from your heart,
and cast off pain from your body,
for youth and vigor are fleeting.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the days of adversity come
and the years approach of which you will say,
"I find no pleasure in them,"
before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is darkened,
and the clouds return after the rain,
on the day the keepers of the house tremble
and the strong men stoop,
when those grinding cease because they are few
and those watching through windows see dimly,
when the doors to the street are shut
and the sound of the mill fades away,
when one rises at the sound of a bird
and all the daughters of song grow faint,
when men fear the heights and dangers of the road,
when the almond tree blossoms,
the grasshopper loses its spring,
and the caper berry shrivels-
for then man goes to his eternal home
and mourners walk the streets.
Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped
and the golden bowl is crushed,
before the pitcher is shattered at the spring
and the wheel is broken at the well,
before the dust returns to the ground from which it came
and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
"Futility of futilities," says the Teacher.
"Everything is futile!"
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
The words of the wise are like goads, and the anthologies of the masters are like firmly embedded nails driven by a single Shepherd. And by these, my son, be further warned: There is no end to the making of many books, and much study wearies the body.
When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
Make every effort to come to me quickly, because Demas, in his love of this world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is useful to me in the ministry. Tychicus, however, I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. You too should beware of him, for he has vigorously opposed our message.
At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles would hear it. So I was delivered from the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will rescue me from every evil action and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.
Erastus has remained at Corinth, and Trophimus I left sick in Miletus.
Make every effort to come to me before winter.
Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.