Just as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil.

if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind.

While applying my mind to everything that happens in this world, I have seen all this: Sometimes one person dominates other people to their harm.

There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it.

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.

My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the window, peering through the lattice.

Turn your eyes away from me – they overwhelm me! Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead.

The Lover to His Beloved: (7:2) How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O nobleman’s daughter! The curves of your thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a master craftsman.

The powerful will be like a thread of yarn, their deeds like a spark; both will burn together, and no one will put out the fire.

Proud men will be humiliated, arrogant men will be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.

At that time men will throw their silver and gold idols, which they made for themselves to worship, into the caves where rodents and bats live,

Jerusalem certainly stumbles, Judah falls, for their words and their actions offend the Lord; they rebel against his royal authority.

Those who get up early to drink beer are as good as dead, those who keep drinking long after dark until they are intoxicated with wine.

He lifts a signal flag for a distant nation, he whistles for it to come from the far regions of the earth. Look, they come quickly and swiftly.

None tire or stumble, they don’t stop to nap or sleep. They don’t loosen their belts, or unstrap their sandals to rest.

From the abundance of milk they produce, he will have sour milk for his meals. Indeed, everyone left in the heart of the land will eat sour milk and honey.

At that time every place where there had been a thousand vines worth a thousand shekels will be overrun with thorns and briers.

When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land.

At that time you will say: “I praise you, O Lord, for even though you were angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me.