Ecclesiastes

12 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1All temporal things (in comparison of true felicity) are vain, 4. because they are mutable, 8. neither can any man attain perfect knowledge, to his satisfaction: 12. as appeareth by Salomon's own experience.
2. 2Human delights are all vain: 4. as gorgeous buildings, fruitful vineyards, plenty of fish, cattle, servants, silver, gold, music: 11. not satisfying man's desire. 18. Neither can any man know, how his heir will behave himself.
3. 3Contrary things succeed in their seasons, and pass away, 9. whereof man getteth no perfect knowledge, how long soever he liveth, and laboureth to know them: 16. neither will there be equity where it ought to be in this world: 21. but in the next, good and evil shall be separated, and judged according to their deserts.
4. 4In this world many innocents are oppressed, 4. The potent envied, sometimes contemned, 15. and forsaken by their subjects, 17. especially when the superiors obey not God.
5. 5An exhortation to speak discreetly, and reverently of God; 3. to perform vows; 6. not to be troubled with imaginations, nor present-oppressions of the poor. 9. Avarice is never satiate, 11. riches sometimes causeth sickness, ruin of the body, 18. and oblivion of God.
6. 6Riches make not men happy, because many die shortly: 3. and many rich men will not use their riches. 8. Likewise study to know all secret things is vanity, not felicity.
7. 7It is in vain to seek, and unpossible to know all natural things. 2. It importeth to lead this short life in mortification, 4. penance, 8. and patience: 12. seeking wisdom, with competent temporal means; 15. providing for the next world; 24. not yielding to concupiscence.
8. 8A sign of true wisdom appeareth in observing God's commandments, 6. in this short time of meriting eternal reward. 9. Rule of others, 11. and want of fear hurt many. 14. Why God suffereth the wicked to prosper, and the just to be afflicted in this life, no mortal man can know.
9. 9None knoweth (certainly and ordinarily) whether they be in God's grace or no. 4. The evil are in worse case dead than alive, 11. neither can we know the event of temporal things, nor the term of our life, nor how grateful others will be towards us. 16. Sure it is, that wisdom is better than strength.
10. 10Considering the great difference between wisdom and folly, 4. it behoveth to resist vehement temptations diligently. 5. As when evil, and ignorant men have authority over the wise. 8. The wicked often fall into their own snares, 10. are hard, yet not impossible to be corrected. 11. Detractors are like serpents. 12. Wise grave princes are profitable; childish are hurtful to the commonwealth; 18. which by their negligence tendeth to ruin: 20. yet subjects ought not to judge evil of them.
11. 11Works of mercy are necessary, whiles we have time, 3. because after death none can merit: 4. neither must we differ to begin, nor cease from good deeds, 8. but still be mindful of death and judgement: 10. avoiding wrath and malice.
12. 12In youth is fittest time, and most meritorious to serve God. In age the same is more and more necessary, but harder then to begin, and less grateful. 5. In this book the preacher hath shewed, that all worldly things are vanity, 13. and that true felicity is only procured by wisdom, which consisteth in the fear of God; and observation of his commandments.