Fri, 03 May 2024 10:43:46 -0500 Yom Shishi, Chodesh Sheni 24, 6024 — יום ששי חדש שני כד ו׳כד

Tanakh
Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Ecclesiastes

Chapter 1

דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת בֶּן־דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃	א	1	The words of Koheleth, the son of David, king in Yerushalam.
הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר קֹהֶלֶת הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים הַכֹּל הָֽבֶל׃	ב	2	Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
מַה־יִּתְרוֹן לָֽאָדָם בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹל תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ג	3	What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun?
דּוֹר הֹלֵךְ וְדוֹר בָּא וְהָאָרֶץ לְעוֹלָם עֹמָֽדֶת׃	ד	4	One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; and the earth abideth for ever.
וְזָרַח הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וּבָא הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְאֶל־מְקוֹמוֹ שׁוֹאֵף זוֹרֵחַֽ הוּא שָֽׁם׃	ה	5	The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he ariseth.
הוֹלֵךְ אֶל־דָּרוֹם וְסוֹבֵב אֶל־צָפוֹן סוֹבֵב ׀ סֹבֵב הוֹלֵךְ הָרוּחַ וְעַל־סְבִיבֹתָיו שָׁב הָרֽוּחַ׃	ו	6	The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its circuit, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
כָּל־הַנְּחָלִים הֹלְכִים אֶל־הַיָּם וְהַיָּם אֵינֶנּוּ מָלֵא אֶל־מְקוֹם שֶׁהַנְּחָלִים הֹֽלְכִים שָׁם הֵם שָׁבִים לָלָֽכֶת׃	ז	7	All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים יְגֵעִים לֹא־יוּכַל אִישׁ לְדַבֵּר לֹא־תִשְׂבַּע עַיִן לִרְאוֹת וְלֹא־תִמָּלֵא אֹזֶן מִשְּׁמֹֽעַ׃	ח	8	All things toil to weariness; man cannot utter it, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
מַה־שֶּֽׁהָיָה הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה וּמַה־שֶׁנַּֽעֲשָׂה הוּא שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה וְאֵין כָּל־חָדָשׁ תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ט	9	That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.
יֵשׁ דָּבָר שֶׁיֹּאמַר רְאֵה־זֶה חָדָשׁ הוּא כְּבָר הָיָה לְעֹֽלָמִים אֲשֶׁר הָיָה מִלְּפָנֵֽנוּ׃	י	10	Is there a thing whereof it is said: 'See, this is new'?--it hath been already, in the ages which were before us.
אֵין זִכְרוֹן לָרִאשֹׁנִים וְגַם לָאַחֲרֹנִים שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לֹֽא־יִהְיֶה לָהֶם זִכָּרוֹן עִם שֶׁיִּהְיוּ לָאַחֲרֹנָֽה׃ פ	יא	11	There is no remembrance of them of former times; neither shall there be any remembrance of them of latter times that are to come, among those that shall come after. {P}
אֲנִי קֹהֶלֶת הָיִיתִי מֶלֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃	יב	12	I Koheleth have been king over Israel in Yerushalam.
וְנָתַתִּי אֶת־לִבִּי לִדְרוֹשׁ וְלָתוּר בַּֽחָכְמָה עַל כָּל־אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם הוּא ׀ עִנְיַן רָע נָתַן אֱלֹהִים לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם לַעֲנוֹת בּֽוֹ׃	יג	13	And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
רָאִיתִי אֶת־כָּל־הַֽמַּעֲשִׂים שֶֽׁנַּעֲשׂוּ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	יד	14	I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
מְעֻוָּת לֹא־יוּכַל לִתְקֹן וְחֶסְרוֹן לֹא־יוּכַל לְהִמָּנֽוֹת׃	יה	15	That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲנִי עִם־לִבִּי לֵאמֹר אֲנִי הִנֵּה הִגְדַּלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי חָכְמָה עַל כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה לְפָנַי עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָם וְלִבִּי רָאָה הַרְבֵּה חָכְמָה וָדָֽעַת׃	יו	16	I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Yerushalam'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
וָאֶתְּנָה לִבִּי לָדַעַת חָכְמָה וְדַעַת הוֹלֵלוֹת וְשִׂכְלוּת יָדַעְתִּי שֶׁגַּם־זֶה הוּא רַעְיוֹן רֽוּחַ׃	יז	17	And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly--I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
כִּי בְּרֹב חָכְמָה רָב־כָּעַס וְיוֹסִיף דַּעַת יוֹסִיף מַכְאֽוֹב׃	יח	18	For in much wisdom is much vexation; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Chapter 2

אָמַרְתִּֽי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי לְכָה־נָּא אֲנַסְּכָה בְשִׂמְחָה וּרְאֵה בְטוֹב וְהִנֵּה גַם־הוּא הָֽבֶל׃	א	1	I said in my heart: 'Come now, I will try thee with mirth, and enjoy pleasure'; and, behold, this also was vanity.
לִשְׂחוֹק אָמַרְתִּי מְהוֹלָל וּלְשִׂמְחָה מַה־זֹּה עֹשָֽׂה׃	ב	2	I said of laughter: 'It is mad'; and of mirth: 'What doth it accomplish?'
תַּרְתִּי בְלִבִּי לִמְשׁוֹךְ בַּיַּיִן אֶת־בְּשָׂרִי וְלִבִּי נֹהֵג בַּֽחָכְמָה וְלֶאֱחֹז בְּסִכְלוּת עַד אֲשֶׁר־אֶרְאֶה אֵי־זֶה טוֹב לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשׂוּ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם מִסְפַּר יְמֵי חַיֵּיהֶֽם׃	ג	3	I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine, and, my heart conducting itself with wisdom, how yet to lay hold on folly, till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life.
הִגְדַּלְתִּי מַעֲשָׂי בָּנִיתִי לִי בָּתִּים נָטַעְתִּי לִי כְּרָמִֽים׃	ד	4	I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;
עָשִׂיתִי לִי גַּנּוֹת וּפַרְדֵּסִים וְנָטַעְתִּי בָהֶם עֵץ כָּל־פֶּֽרִי׃	ה	5	I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
עָשִׂיתִי לִי בְּרֵכוֹת מָיִם לְהַשְׁקוֹת מֵהֶם יַעַר צוֹמֵחַ עֵצִֽים׃	ו	6	I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the wood springing up with trees;
קָנִיתִי עֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת וּבְנֵי־בַיִת הָיָה לִי גַּם מִקְנֶה בָקָר וָצֹאן הַרְבֵּה הָיָה לִי מִכֹּל שֶֽׁהָיוּ לְפָנַי בִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃	ז	7	I acquired men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Yerushalam;
כָּנַסְתִּי לִי גַּם־כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב וּסְגֻלַּת מְלָכִים וְהַמְּדִינוֹת עָשִׂיתִי לִי שָׁרִים וְשָׁרוֹת וְתַעֲנוּגֹת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם שִׁדָּה וְשִׁדּֽוֹת׃	ח	8	I gathered me also silver and gold, and treasure such as kings and the provinces have as their own; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, women very many.
וְגָדַלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי מִכֹּל שֶׁהָיָה לְפָנַי בִּירוּשָׁלִָם אַף חָכְמָתִי עָמְדָה לִּֽי׃	ט	9	So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Yerushalam; also my wisdom stood me in stead.
וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר שָֽׁאֲלוּ עֵינַי לֹא אָצַלְתִּי מֵהֶם לֹֽא־מָנַעְתִּי אֶת־לִבִּי מִכָּל־שִׂמְחָה כִּֽי־לִבִּי שָׂמֵחַ מִכָּל־עֲמָלִי וְזֶֽה־הָיָה חֶלְקִי מִכָּל־עֲמָלִֽי׃	י	10	And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart had joy of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour.
וּפָנִיתִֽי אֲנִי בְּכָל־מַעֲשַׂי שֶֽׁעָשׂוּ יָדַי וּבֶֽעָמָל שֶׁעָמַלְתִּי לַעֲשׂוֹת וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	יא	11	Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
וּפָנִיתִֽי אֲנִי לִרְאוֹת חָכְמָה וְהוֹלֵלוֹת וְסִכְלוּת כִּי ׀ מֶה הָאָדָם שֶׁיָּבוֹא אַחֲרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־כְּבָר עָשֽׂוּהוּ׃	יב	12	And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
וְרָאִיתִי אָנִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ יִתְרוֹן לַֽחָכְמָה מִן־הַסִּכְלוּת כִּֽיתְרוֹן הָאוֹר מִן־הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃	יג	13	Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
הֶֽחָכָם עֵינָיו בְּרֹאשׁוֹ וְהַכְּסִיל בַּחֹשֶׁךְ הוֹלֵךְ וְיָדַעְתִּי גַם־אָנִי שֶׁמִּקְרֶה אֶחָד יִקְרֶה אֶת־כֻּלָּֽם׃	יד	14	The wise man, his eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness. And I also perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
וְאָמַרְתִּֽי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי כְּמִקְרֵה הַכְּסִיל גַּם־אֲנִי יִקְרֵנִי וְלָמָּה חָכַמְתִּי אֲנִי אָז יוֹתֵר וְדִבַּרְתִּי בְלִבִּי שֶׁגַּם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	יה	15	Then said I in my heart: 'As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?' Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
כִּי אֵין זִכְרוֹן לֶחָכָם עִֽם־הַכְּסִיל לְעוֹלָם בְּשֶׁכְּבָר הַיָּמִים הַבָּאִים הַכֹּל נִשְׁכָּח וְאֵיךְ יָמוּת הֶחָכָם עִֽם־הַכְּסִֽיל׃	יו	16	For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool!
וְשָׂנֵאתִי אֶת־הַחַיִּים כִּי רַע עָלַי הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ כִּֽי־הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	יז	17	So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
וְשָׂנֵאתִֽי אֲנִי אֶת־כָּל־עֲמָלִי שֶׁאֲנִי עָמֵל תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ שֶׁאַנִּיחֶנּוּ לָאָדָם שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָֽי׃	יח	18	And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
וּמִי יוֹדֵעַ הֶֽחָכָם יִהְיֶה אוֹ סָכָל וְיִשְׁלַט בְּכָל־עֲמָלִי שֶֽׁעָמַלְתִּי וְשֶׁחָכַמְתִּי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ גַּם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	יט	19	And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
וְסַבּוֹתִֽי אֲנִי לְיַאֵשׁ אֶת־לִבִּי עַל כָּל־הֶעָמָל שֶׁעָמַלְתִּי תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	כ	20	Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.
כִּי־יֵשׁ אָדָם שֶׁעֲמָלוֹ בְּחָכְמָה וּבְדַעַת וּבְכִשְׁרוֹן וּלְאָדָם שֶׁלֹּא עָֽמַל־בּוֹ יִתְּנֶנּוּ חֶלְקוֹ גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל וְרָעָה רַבָּֽה׃	כא	21	For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
כִּי מֶֽה־הֹוֶה לָֽאָדָם בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ וּבְרַעְיוֹן לִבּו שֶׁהוּא עָמֵל תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	כב	22	For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun?
כִּי כָל־יָמָיו מַכְאֹבִים וָכַעַס עִנְיָנוֹ גַּם־בַּלַּיְלָה לֹא־שָׁכַב לִבּוֹ גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל הֽוּא׃	כג	23	For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.
אֵֽין־טוֹב בָּאָדָם שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְשָׁתָה וְהֶרְאָה אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ טוֹב בַּעֲמָלוֹ גַּם־זֹה רָאִיתִי אָנִי כִּי מִיַּד הָאֱלֹהִים הִֽיא׃	כד	24	There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
כִּי מִי יֹאכַל וּמִי יָחוּשׁ חוּץ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃	כה	25	For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I?
כִּי לְאָדָם שֶׁטּוֹב לְפָנָיו נָתַן חָכְמָה וְדַעַת וְשִׂמְחָה וְלַחוֹטֶא נָתַן עִנְיָן לֶאֱסוֹף וְלִכְנוֹס לָתֵת לְטוֹב לִפְנֵי הָֽאֱלֹהִים גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	כו	26	For to the man that is good in His sight He giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He giveth the task, to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good in the sight of God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

Q	Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.
n	Marks an anomalous form.
v	We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

Chapter 3

לַכֹּל זְמָן וְעֵת לְכָל־חֵפֶץ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ ס	א	1	To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: {P}
עֵת לָלֶדֶת וְעֵת לָמוּת עֵת לָטַעַת וְעֵת לַעֲקוֹר נָטֽוּעַ׃	ב	2	{S} A time to be born, {S} and a time to die; {N} {S} a time to plant, {S} and a time to pluck up that which is planted; {N}
עֵת לַהֲרוֹג וְעֵת לִרְפּוֹא עֵת לִפְרוֹץ וְעֵת לִבְנֽוֹת׃	ג	3	{S} A time to kill, {S} and a time to heal; {N} {S} a time to break down, {S} and a time to build up; {N}
עֵת לִבְכּוֹת וְעֵת לִשְׂחוֹק עֵת סְפוֹד וְעֵת רְקֽוֹד׃	ד	4	{S} A time to weep, {S} and a time to laugh; {N} {S} a time to mourn, {S} and a time to dance; {N}
עֵת לְהַשְׁלִיךְ אֲבָנִים וְעֵת כְּנוֹס אֲבָנִים עֵת לַחֲבוֹק וְעֵת לִרְחֹק מֵחַבֵּֽק׃	ה	5	{S} A time to cast away stones, {S} and a time to gather stones together; {N} {S} a time to embrace, {S} and a time to refrain from embracing; {N}
עֵת לְבַקֵּשׁ וְעֵת לְאַבֵּד עֵת לִשְׁמוֹר וְעֵת לְהַשְׁלִֽיךְ׃	ו	6	{S} A time to seek, {S} and a time to lose; {N} {S} a time to keep, {S} and a time to cast away; {N}
עֵת לִקְרוֹעַ וְעֵת לִתְפּוֹר עֵת לַחֲשׁוֹת וְעֵת לְדַבֵּֽר׃	ז	7	{S} A time to rend, {S} and a time to sew; {N} {S} a time to keep silence, {S} and a time to speak; {N}
עֵת לֶֽאֱהֹב וְעֵת לִשְׂנֹא עֵת מִלְחָמָה וְעֵת שָׁלֽוֹם׃ ס	ח	8	{S} A time to love, {S} and a time to hate; {N} {S} a time for war, {S} and a time for peace. {N}
מַה־יִּתְרוֹן הָֽעוֹשֶׂה בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא עָמֵֽל׃	ט	9	{S} What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth?
רָאִיתִי אֶת־הָֽעִנְיָן אֲשֶׁר נָתַן אֱלֹהִים לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם לַעֲנוֹת בּֽוֹ׃	י	10	I have seen the task which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
אֶת־הַכֹּל עָשָׂה יָפֶה בְעִתּוֹ גַּם אֶת־הָעֹלָם נָתַן בְּלִבָּם מִבְּלִי אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יִמְצָא הָאָדָם אֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה הָאֱלֹהִים מֵרֹאשׁ וְעַד־סֽוֹף׃	יא	11	He hath made every thing beautiful in its time; also He hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.
יָדַעְתִּי כִּי אֵין טוֹב בָּם כִּי אִם־לִשְׂמוֹחַ וְלַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹב בְּחַיָּֽיו׃	יב	12	I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.
וְגַם כָּל־הָאָדָם שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְשָׁתָה וְרָאָה טוֹב בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ מַתַּת אֱלֹהִים הִֽיא׃	יג	13	But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.
יָדַעְתִּי כִּי כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה הָאֱלֹהִים הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֹלָם עָלָיו אֵין לְהוֹסִיף וּמִמֶּנּוּ אֵין לִגְרֹעַ וְהָאֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה שֶׁיִּֽרְאוּ מִלְּפָנָֽיו׃	יד	14	I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God hath so made it, that men should fear before Him.
מַה־שֶּֽׁהָיָה כְּבָר הוּא וַאֲשֶׁר לִהְיוֹת כְּבָר הָיָה וְהָאֱלֹהִים יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־נִרְדָּֽף׃	יה	15	That which is hath been long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God seeketh that which is pursued.
וְעוֹד רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ מְקוֹם הַמִּשְׁפָּט שָׁמָּה הָרֶשַׁע וּמְקוֹם הַצֶּדֶק שָׁמָּה הָרָֽשַׁע׃	יו	16	And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
אָמַרְתִּֽי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי אֶת־הַצַּדִּיק וְאֶת־הָרָשָׁע יִשְׁפֹּט הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי־עֵת לְכָל־חֵפֶץ וְעַל כָּל־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה שָֽׁם׃	יז	17	I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.'
אָמַרְתִּֽי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי עַל־דִּבְרַת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם לְבָרָם הָאֱלֹהִים וְלִרְאוֹת שְׁהֶם־בְּהֵמָה הֵמָּה לָהֶֽם׃	יח	18	I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.'
כִּי מִקְרֶה בְֽנֵי־הָאָדָם וּמִקְרֶה הַבְּהֵמָה וּמִקְרֶה אֶחָד לָהֶם כְּמוֹת זֶה כֵּן מוֹת זֶה וְרוּחַ אֶחָד לַכֹּל וּמוֹתַר הָאָדָם מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה אָיִן כִּי הַכֹּל הָֽבֶל׃	יט	19	For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.
הַכֹּל הוֹלֵךְ אֶל־מָקוֹם אֶחָד הַכֹּל הָיָה מִן־הֶֽעָפָר וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל־הֶעָפָֽר׃	כ	20	All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.
מִי יוֹדֵעַ רוּחַ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם הָעֹלָה הִיא לְמָעְלָה וְרוּחַ הַבְּהֵמָה הַיֹּרֶדֶת הִיא לְמַטָּה לָאָֽרֶץ׃	כא	21	Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth?
וְרָאִיתִי כִּי אֵין טוֹב מֵאֲשֶׁר יִשְׂמַח הָאָדָם בְּֽמַעֲשָׂיו כִּי־הוּא חֶלְקוֹ כִּי מִי יְבִיאֶנּוּ לִרְאוֹת בְּמֶה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָֽיו׃	כב	22	Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Chapter 4

וְשַׁבְתִּֽי אֲנִי וָאֶרְאֶה אֶת־כָּל־הָעֲשֻׁקִים אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשִׂים תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְהִנֵּה ׀ דִּמְעַת הָעֲשֻׁקִים וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם וּמִיַּד עֹֽשְׁקֵיהֶם כֹּחַ וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵֽם׃	א	1	But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
וְשַׁבֵּחַ אֲנִי אֶת־הַמֵּתִים שֶׁכְּבָר מֵתוּ מִן־הַחַיִּים אֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה חַיִּים עֲדֶֽנָה׃	ב	2	Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
וְטוֹב מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עֲדֶן לֹא הָיָה אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־רָאָה אֶת־הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הָרָע אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ג	3	but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
וְרָאִיתִֽי אֲנִי אֶת־כָּל־עָמָל וְאֵת כָּל־כִּשְׁרוֹן הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה כִּי הִיא קִנְאַת־אִישׁ מֵרֵעֵהוּ גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	ד	4	Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
הַכְּסִיל חֹבֵק אֶת־יָדָיו וְאֹכֵל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֽוֹ׃	ה	5	The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
טוֹב מְלֹא כַף נָחַת מִמְּלֹא חָפְנַיִם עָמָל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	ו	6	Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
וְשַׁבְתִּי אֲנִי וָאֶרְאֶה הֶבֶל תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ז	7	Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
יֵשׁ אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי גַּם בֵּן וָאָח אֵֽין־לוֹ וְאֵין קֵץ לְכָל־עֲמָלוֹ גַּם־עֵינוֹ עיניו לֹא־תִשְׂבַּע עֹשֶׁר וּלְמִי ׀ אֲנִי עָמֵל וּמְחַסֵּר אֶת־נַפְשִׁי מִטּוֹבָה גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל וְעִנְיַן רָע הֽוּא׃	ח	8	There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
טוֹבִים הַשְּׁנַיִם מִן־הָאֶחָד אֲשֶׁר יֵשׁ־לָהֶם שָׂכָר טוֹב בַּעֲמָלָֽם׃	ט	9	Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
כִּי אִם־יִפֹּלוּ הָאֶחָד יָקִים אֶת־חֲבֵרוֹ וְאִילוֹ הָֽאֶחָד שֶׁיִּפּוֹל וְאֵין שֵׁנִי לַהֲקִימֽוֹ׃	י	10	For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
גַּם אִם־יִשְׁכְּבוּ שְׁנַיִם וְחַם לָהֶם וּלְאֶחָד אֵיךְ יֵחָֽם׃	יא	11	Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
וְאִֽם־יִתְקְפוֹ הָאֶחָד הַשְּׁנַיִם יַעַמְדוּ נֶגְדּוֹ וְהַחוּט הַֽמְשֻׁלָּשׁ לֹא בִמְהֵרָה יִנָּתֵֽק׃	יב	12	And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
טוֹב יֶלֶד מִסְכֵּן וְחָכָם מִמֶּלֶךְ זָקֵן וּכְסִיל אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר עֽוֹד׃	יג	13	Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
כִּֽי־מִבֵּית הָסוּרִים יָצָא לִמְלֹךְ כִּי גַּם בְּמַלְכוּתוֹ נוֹלַד רָֽשׁ׃	יד	14	For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.
רָאִיתִי אֶת־כָּל־הַחַיִּים הַֽמְהַלְּכִים תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ עִם הַיֶּלֶד הַשֵּׁנִי אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹד תַּחְתָּֽיו׃	יה	15	I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
אֵֽין־קֵץ לְכָל־הָעָם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה לִפְנֵיהֶם גַּם הָאַחֲרוֹנִים לֹא יִשְׂמְחוּ־בוֹ כִּֽי־גַם־זֶה הֶבֶל וְרַעְיוֹן רֽוּחַ׃	יו	16	There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
שְׁמֹר רַגְלְךָ רגליך כַּאֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ אֶל־בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים וְקָרוֹב לִשְׁמֹעַ מִתֵּת הַכְּסִילִים זָבַח כִּֽי־אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים לַעֲשׂוֹת רָֽע׃	יז	17	Guard thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be ready to hearken: it is better than when fools give sacrifices; for they know not that they do evil.

Chapter 5

אַל־תְּבַהֵל עַל־פִּיךָ וְלִבְּךָ אַל־יְמַהֵר לְהוֹצִיא דָבָר לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם וְאַתָּה עַל־הָאָרֶץ עַֽל־כֵּן יִהְיוּ דְבָרֶיךָ מְעַטִּֽים׃	א	1	Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.
כִּי בָּא הַחֲלוֹם בְּרֹב עִנְיָן וְקוֹל כְּסִיל בְּרֹב דְּבָרִֽים׃	ב	2	For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.
כַּאֲשֶׁר תִּדֹּר נֶדֶר לֵֽאלֹהִים אַל־תְּאַחֵר לְשַׁלְּמוֹ כִּי אֵין חֵפֶץ בַּכְּסִילִים אֵת אֲשֶׁר־תִּדֹּר שַׁלֵּֽם׃	ג	3	When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.
טוֹב אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־תִדֹּר מִשֶׁתִּדּוֹר וְלֹא תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃	ד	4	Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
אַל־תִּתֵּן אֶת־פִּיךָ לַחֲטִיא אֶת־בְּשָׂרֶךָ וְאַל־תֹּאמַר לִפְנֵי הַמַּלְאָךְ כִּי שְׁגָגָה הִיא לָמָּה יִקְצֹף הָֽאֱלֹהִים עַל־קוֹלֶךָ וְחִבֵּל אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶֽיךָ׃	ה	5	Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
כִּי בְרֹב חֲלֹמוֹת וַהֲבָלִים וּדְבָרִים הַרְבֵּה כִּי אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים יְרָֽא׃	ו	6	For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou God.
אִם־עֹשֶׁק רָשׁ וְגֵזֶל מִשְׁפָּט וָצֶדֶק תִּרְאֶה בַמְּדִינָה אַל־תִּתְמַהּ עַל־הַחֵפֶץ כִּי גָבֹהַּ מֵעַל גָּבֹהַ שֹׁמֵר וּגְבֹהִים עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃	ז	7	If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.
וְיִתְרוֹן אֶרֶץ בַּכֹּל הוּא היא מֶלֶךְ לְשָׂדֶה נֶעֱבָֽד׃	ח	8	But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.
אֹהֵב כֶּסֶף לֹא־יִשְׂבַּע כֶּסֶף וּמִֽי־אֹהֵב בֶּהָמוֹן לֹא תְבוּאָה גַּם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	ט	9	He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.
בִּרְבוֹת הַטּוֹבָה רַבּוּ אוֹכְלֶיהָ וּמַה־כִּשְׁרוֹן לִבְעָלֶיהָ כִּי אִם־רְאוּת ראית עֵינָֽיו׃	י	10	When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?
מְתוּקָה שְׁנַת הָעֹבֵד אִם־מְעַט וְאִם־הַרְבֵּה יֹאכֵל וְהַשָּׂבָע לֶֽעָשִׁיר אֵינֶנּוּ מַנִּיחַֽ לוֹ לִישֽׁוֹן׃	יא	11	Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
יֵשׁ רָעָה חוֹלָה רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ עֹשֶׁר שָׁמוּר לִבְעָלָיו לְרָעָתֽוֹ׃	יב	12	There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;
וְאָבַד הָעֹשֶׁר הַהוּא בְּעִנְיַן רָע וְהוֹלִיד בֵּן וְאֵין בְּיָדוֹ מְאֽוּמָה׃	יג	13	and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
כַּאֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ עָרוֹם יָשׁוּב לָלֶכֶת כְּשֶׁבָּא וּמְאוּמָה לֹא־יִשָּׂא בַעֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיֹּלֵךְ בְּיָדֽוֹ׃	יד	14	As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
וְגַם־זֹה רָעָה חוֹלָה כָּל־עֻמַּת שֶׁבָּא כֵּן יֵלֵךְ וּמַה־יִּתְרוֹן לוֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹל לָרֽוּחַ׃	יה	15	And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind?
גַּם כָּל־יָמָיו בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יֹאכֵל וְכָעַס הַרְבֵּה וְחָלְיוֹ וָקָֽצֶף׃	יו	16	All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.
הִנֵּה אֲשֶׁר־רָאִיתִי אָנִי טוֹב אֲשֶׁר־יָפֶה לֶֽאֶכוֹל־וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְאוֹת טוֹבָה בְּכָל־עֲמָלוֹ ׀ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל תַּֽחַת־הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִסְפַּר יְמֵי־חַיָּיו חיו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי־הוּא חֶלְקֽוֹ׃	יז	17	Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion.
גַּם כָּֽל־הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׁר וּנְכָסִים וְהִשְׁלִיטוֹ לֶאֱכֹל מִמֶּנּוּ וְלָשֵׂאת אֶת־חֶלְקוֹ וְלִשְׂמֹחַ בַּעֲמָלוֹ זֹה מַתַּת אֱלֹהִים הִֽיא׃	יח	18	Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour--this is the gift of God.
כִּי לֹא הַרְבֵּה יִזְכֹּר אֶת־יְמֵי חַיָּיו כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים מַעֲנֶה בְּשִׂמְחַת לִבּֽוֹ׃	יט	19	For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

C	We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.
Q	Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.
n	Marks an anomalous form.
p	We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.
q	We have abandoned or added a ketib/qere relative to BHS. In doing this we agree with L against BHS.

Chapter 6

יֵשׁ רָעָה אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וְרַבָּה הִיא עַל־הָאָדָֽם׃	א	1	There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:
אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִתֶּן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׁר וּנְכָסִים וְכָבוֹד וְֽאֵינֶנּוּ חָסֵר לְנַפְשׁוֹ ׀ מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר־יִתְאַוֶּה וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁלִיטֶנּוּ הָֽאֱלֹהִים לֶאֱכֹל מִמֶּנּוּ כִּי אִישׁ נָכְרִי יֹֽאכֲלֶנּוּ זֶה הֶבֶל וָחֳלִי רָע הֽוּא׃	ב	2	a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
אִם־יוֹלִיד אִישׁ מֵאָה וְשָׁנִים רַבּוֹת יִֽחְיֶה וְרַב ׀ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵֽי־שָׁנָיו וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא־תִשְׂבַּע מִן־הַטּוֹבָה וְגַם־קְבוּרָה לֹא־הָיְתָה לּוֹ אָמַרְתִּי טוֹב מִמֶּנּוּ הַנָּֽפֶל׃	ג	3	If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he;
כִּֽי־בַהֶבֶל בָּא וּבַחֹשֶׁךְ יֵלֵךְ וּבַחֹשֶׁךְ שְׁמוֹ יְכֻסֶּֽה׃	ד	4	for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;
גַּם־שֶׁמֶשׁ לֹא־רָאָה וְלֹא יָדָע נַחַת לָזֶה מִזֶּֽה׃	ה	5	moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other;
וְאִלּוּ חָיָה אֶלֶף שָׁנִים פַּעֲמַיִם וְטוֹבָה לֹא רָאָה הֲלֹא אֶל־מָקוֹם אֶחָד הַכֹּל הוֹלֵֽךְ׃	ו	6	yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?
כָּל־עֲמַל הָאָדָם לְפִיהוּ וְגַם־הַנֶּפֶשׁ לֹא תִמָּלֵֽא׃	ז	7	All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
כִּי מַה־יּוֹתֵר לֶחָכָם מִֽן־הַכְּסִיל מַה־לֶּעָנִי יוֹדֵעַ לַהֲלֹךְ נֶגֶד הַחַיִּֽים׃	ח	8	For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living?
טוֹב מַרְאֵה עֵינַיִם מֵֽהֲלָךְ־נָפֶשׁ גַּם־זֶה הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רֽוּחַ׃	ט	9	Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
מַה־שֶּֽׁהָיָה כְּבָר נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ וְנוֹדָע אֲשֶׁר־הוּא אָדָם וְלֹא־יוּכַל לָדִין עִם שֶׁתַּקִּיף שהתקיף מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃	י	10	Whatsoever cometh into being, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is foreknown what man is; neither can he contend with Him that is mightier than he.
כִּי יֵשׁ־דְּבָרִים הַרְבֵּה מַרְבִּים הָבֶל מַה־יֹּתֵר לָאָדָֽם׃	יא	11	Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?
כִּי מִֽי־יוֹדֵעַ מַה־טּוֹב לָֽאָדָם בַּֽחַיִּים מִסְפַּר יְמֵי־חַיֵּי הֶבְלוֹ וְיַעֲשֵׂם כַּצֵּל אֲשֶׁר מִֽי־יַגִּיד לָֽאָדָם מַה־יִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָיו תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	יב	12	For who knoweth what is good for man in his 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?

Chapter 7

טוֹב שֵׁם מִשֶּׁמֶן טוֹב וְיוֹם הַמָּוֶת מִיּוֹם הִוָּלְדֽוֹ׃	א	1	A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
טוֹב לָלֶכֶת אֶל־בֵּֽית־אֵבֶל מִלֶּכֶת אֶל־בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא סוֹף כָּל־הָאָדָם וְהַחַי יִתֵּן אֶל־לִבּֽוֹ׃	ב	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.
טוֹב כַּעַס מִשְּׂחֹק כִּֽי־בְרֹעַ פָּנִים יִיטַב לֵֽב׃	ג	3	Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.
לֵב חֲכָמִים בְּבֵית אֵבֶל וְלֵב כְּסִילִים בְּבֵית שִׂמְחָֽה׃	ד	4	The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
טוֹב לִשְׁמֹעַ גַּעֲרַת חָכָם מֵאִישׁ שֹׁמֵעַ שִׁיר כְּסִילִֽים׃	ה	5	It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
כִּי כְקוֹל הַסִּירִים תַּחַת הַסִּיר כֵּן שְׂחֹק הַכְּסִיל וְגַם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	ו	6	For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; this also is vanity.
כִּי הָעֹשֶׁק יְהוֹלֵל חָכָם וִֽיאַבֵּד אֶת־לֵב מַתָּנָֽה׃	ז	7	Surely oppression turneth a wise man into a fool; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.
טוֹב אַחֲרִית דָּבָר מֵֽרֵאשִׁיתוֹ טוֹב אֶֽרֶךְ־רוּחַ מִגְּבַהּ־רֽוּחַ׃	ח	8	Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
אַל־תְּבַהֵל בְּרֽוּחֲךָ לִכְעוֹס כִּי כַעַס בְּחֵיק כְּסִילִים יָנֽוּחַ׃	ט	9	Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
אַל־תֹּאמַר מֶה הָיָה שֶׁהַיָּמִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים הָיוּ טוֹבִים מֵאֵלֶּה כִּי לֹא מֵחָכְמָה שָׁאַלְתָּ עַל־זֶֽה׃	י	10	Say not thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.
טוֹבָה חָכְמָה עִֽם־נַחֲלָה וְיֹתֵר לְרֹאֵי הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	יא	11	Wisdom is good with an inheritance, yea, a profit to them that see the sun.
כִּי בְּצֵל הַֽחָכְמָה בְּצֵל הַכָּסֶף וְיִתְרוֹן דַּעַת הַֽחָכְמָה תְּחַיֶּה בְעָלֶֽיהָ׃	יב	12	For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.
רְאֵה אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂה הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי מִי יוּכַל לְתַקֵּן אֵת אֲשֶׁר עִוְּתֽוֹ׃	יג	13	Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?
בְּיוֹם טוֹבָה הֱיֵה בְטוֹב וּבְיוֹם רָעָה רְאֵה גַּם אֶת־זֶה לְעֻמַּת־זֶה עָשָׂה הָֽאֱלֹהִים עַל־דִּבְרַת שֶׁלֹּא יִמְצָא הָֽאָדָם אַחֲרָיו מְאֽוּמָה׃	יד	14	In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
אֶת־הַכֹּל רָאִיתִי בִּימֵי הֶבְלִי יֵשׁ צַדִּיק אֹבֵד בְּצִדְקוֹ וְיֵשׁ רָשָׁע מַאֲרִיךְ בְּרָעָתֽוֹ׃	יה	15	All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.
אַל־תְּהִי צַדִּיק הַרְבֵּה וְאַל־תִּתְחַכַּם יוֹתֵר לָמָּה תִּשּׁוֹמֵֽם׃	יו	16	Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?
אַל־תִּרְשַׁע הַרְבֵּה וְאַל־תְּהִי סָכָל לָמָּה תָמוּת בְּלֹא עִתֶּֽךָ׃	יז	17	Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?
טוֹב אֲשֶׁר תֶּאֱחֹז בָּזֶה וְגַם־מִזֶּה אַל־תַּנַּח אֶת־יָדֶךָ כִּֽי־יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים יֵצֵא אֶת־כֻּלָּֽם׃	יח	18	It is good that thou shouldest take hold of the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.
הַֽחָכְמָה תָּעֹז לֶחָכָם מֵֽעֲשָׂרָה שַׁלִּיטִים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ בָּעִֽיר׃	יט	19	Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.
כִּי אָדָם אֵין צַדִּיק בָּאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה־טּוֹב וְלֹא יֶחֱטָֽא׃	כ	20	For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
גַּם לְכָל־הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר יְדַבֵּרוּ אַל־תִּתֵּן לִבֶּךָ אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־תִשְׁמַע אֶֽת־עַבְדְּךָ מְקַלְלֶֽךָ׃	כא	21	Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;
כִּי גַּם־פְּעָמִים רַבּוֹת יָדַע לִבֶּךָ אֲשֶׁר גַּם־אַתָּה את קִלַּלְתָּ אֲחֵרִֽים׃	כב	22	for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
כָּל־זֹה נִסִּיתִי בַֽחָכְמָה אָמַרְתִּי אֶחְכָּמָה וְהִיא רְחוֹקָה מִמֶּֽנִּי׃	כג	23	All this have I tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me.
רָחוֹק מַה־שֶּׁהָיָה וְעָמֹק ׀ עָמֹק מִי יִמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃	כד	24	That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?
סַבּוֹתִֽי אֲנִי וְלִבִּי לָדַעַת וְלָתוּר וּבַקֵּשׁ חָכְמָה וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן וְלָדַעַת רֶשַׁע כֶּסֶל וְהַסִּכְלוּת הוֹלֵלֽוֹת׃	כה	25	I turned about, and applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;
וּמוֹצֶא אֲנִי מַר מִמָּוֶת אֶת־הָֽאִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר־הִיא מְצוֹדִים וַחֲרָמִים לִבָּהּ אֲסוּרִים יָדֶיהָ טוֹב לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים יִמָּלֵט מִמֶּנָּה וְחוֹטֵא יִלָּכֶד בָּֽהּ׃	כו	26	and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands; whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
רְאֵה זֶה מָצָאתִי אָמְרָה קֹהֶלֶת אַחַת לְאַחַת לִמְצֹא חֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃	כז	27	Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account;
אֲשֶׁר עוֹד־בִּקְשָׁה נַפְשִׁי וְלֹא מָצָאתִי אָדָם אֶחָד מֵאֶלֶף מָצָאתִי וְאִשָּׁה בְכָל־אֵלֶּה לֹא מָצָֽאתִי׃	כח	28	which yet my soul sought, but I found not; one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
לְבַד רְאֵה־זֶה מָצָאתִי אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה הָאֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאָדָם יָשָׁר וְהֵמָּה בִקְשׁוּ חִשְּׁבֹנוֹת רַבִּֽים׃	כט	29	Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Chapter 8

מִי כְּהֶחָכָם וּמִי יוֹדֵעַ פֵּשֶׁר דָּבָר חָכְמַת אָדָם תָּאִיר פָּנָיו וְעֹז פָּנָיו יְשֻׁנֶּֽא׃	א	1	Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.
אֲנִי פִּי־מֶלֶךְ שְׁמוֹר וְעַל דִּבְרַת שְׁבוּעַת אֱלֹהִֽים׃	ב	2	I [counsel thee]: keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
אַל־תִּבָּהֵל מִפָּנָיו תֵּלֵךְ אַֽל־תַּעֲמֹד בְּדָבָר רָע כִּי כָּל־אֲשֶׁר יַחְפֹּץ יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃	ג	3	Be not hasty to go out of his presence; stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
בַּאֲשֶׁר דְּבַר־מֶלֶךְ שִׁלְטוֹן וּמִי יֹֽאמַר־לוֹ מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃	ד	4	Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'
שׁוֹמֵר מִצְוָה לֹא יֵדַע דָּבָר רָע וְעֵת וּמִשְׁפָּט יֵדַע לֵב חָכָֽם׃	ה	5	Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment.
כִּי לְכָל־חֵפֶץ יֵשׁ עֵת וּמִשְׁפָּט כִּֽי־רָעַת הָאָדָם רַבָּה עָלָֽיו׃	ו	6	For to every matter there is a time and judgment; for the evil of man is great upon him.
כִּֽי־אֵינֶנּוּ יֹדֵעַ מַה־שֶּׁיִּֽהְיֶה כִּי כַּאֲשֶׁר יִֽהְיֶה מִי יַגִּיד לֽוֹ׃	ז	7	For he knoweth not that which shall be; for even when it cometh to pass, who shall declare it unto him?
אֵין אָדָם שַׁלִּיט בָּרוּחַ לִכְלוֹא אֶת־הָרוּחַ וְאֵין שִׁלְטוֹן בְּיוֹם הַמָּוֶת וְאֵין מִשְׁלַחַת בַּמִּלְחָמָה וְלֹֽא־יְמַלֵּט רֶשַׁע אֶת־בְּעָלָֽיו׃	ח	8	There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.
אֶת־כָּל־זֶה רָאִיתִי וְנָתוֹן אֶת־לִבִּי לְכָֽל־מַעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ עֵת אֲשֶׁר שָׁלַט הָאָדָם בְּאָדָם לְרַע לֽוֹ׃	ט	9	All this have I seen, even applied my heart thereto, whatever the work that is done under the sun; what time one man had power over another to his hurt.
וּבְכֵן רָאִיתִי רְשָׁעִים קְבֻרִים וָבָאוּ וּמִמְּקוֹם קָדוֹשׁ יְהַלֵּכוּ וְיִֽשְׁתַּכְּחוּ בָעִיר אֲשֶׁר כֵּן־עָשׂוּ גַּם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	י	10	And so I saw the wicked buried, and they entered into their rest; but they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city; this also is vanity.
אֲשֶׁר אֵין־נַעֲשָׂה פִתְגָם מַעֲשֵׂה הָרָעָה מְהֵרָה עַל־כֵּן מָלֵא לֵב בְּֽנֵי־הָאָדָם בָּהֶם לַעֲשׂוֹת רָֽע׃	יא	11	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;
אֲשֶׁר חֹטֶא עֹשֶׂה רָע מְאַת וּמַאֲרִיךְ לוֹ כִּי גַּם־יוֹדֵעַ אָנִי אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶה־טּוֹב לְיִרְאֵי הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יִֽירְאוּ מִלְּפָנָֽיו׃	יב	12	because a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and prolongeth his days--though yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before Him;
וְטוֹב לֹֽא־יִהְיֶה לָֽרָשָׁע וְלֹֽא־יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים כַּצֵּל אֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ יָרֵא מִלִּפְנֵי אֱלֹהִֽים׃	יג	13	but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God.
יֶשׁ־הֶבֶל אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה עַל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ׀ יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים אֲשֶׁר מַגִּיעַ אֲלֵהֶם כְּמַעֲשֵׂה הָרְשָׁעִים וְיֵשׁ רְשָׁעִים שֶׁמַּגִּיעַ אֲלֵהֶם כְּמַעֲשֵׂה הַצַּדִּיקִים אָמַרְתִּי שֶׁגַּם־זֶה הָֽבֶל׃	יד	14	There is a vanity which is done upon the earth: that there are righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous--I said that this also is vanity.
וְשִׁבַּחְתִּֽי אֲנִי אֶת־הַשִּׂמְחָה אֲשֶׁר אֵֽין־טוֹב לָֽאָדָם תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כִּי אִם־לֶאֱכוֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִשְׂמוֹחַ וְהוּא יִלְוֶנּוּ בַעֲמָלוֹ יְמֵי חַיָּיו אֲשֶׁר־נָֽתַן־לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	יה	15	So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
כַּאֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי אֶת־לִבִּי לָדַעַת חָכְמָה וְלִרְאוֹת אֶת־הָעִנְיָן אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה עַל־הָאָרֶץ כִּי גַם בַּיּוֹם וּבַלַּיְלָה שֵׁנָה בְּעֵינָיו אֵינֶנּוּ רֹאֶֽה׃	יו	16	When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth--for neither day nor night do men see sleep with their eyes--
וְרָאִיתִי אֶת־כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂה הָאֱלֹהִים כִּי לֹא יוּכַל הָאָדָם לִמְצוֹא אֶת־הַֽמַּעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַֽחַת־הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בְּשֶׁל אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹל הָאָדָם לְבַקֵּשׁ וְלֹא יִמְצָא וְגַם אִם־יֹאמַר הֶֽחָכָם לָדַעַת לֹא יוּכַל לִמְצֹֽא׃	יז	17	then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

Chapter 9

כִּי אֶת־כָּל־זֶה נָתַתִּי אֶל־לִבִּי וְלָבוּר אֶת־כָּל־זֶה אֲשֶׁר הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַחֲכָמִים וַעֲבָדֵיהֶם בְּיַד הָאֱלֹהִים גַּֽם־אַהֲבָה גַם־שִׂנְאָה אֵין יוֹדֵעַ הָֽאָדָם הַכֹּל לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃	א	1	For all this I laid to my heart, even to make clear all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them.
הַכֹּל כַּאֲשֶׁר לַכֹּל מִקְרֶה אֶחָד לַצַּדִּיק וְלָרָשָׁע לַטּוֹב וְלַטָּהוֹר וְלַטָּמֵא וְלַזֹּבֵחַ וְלַאֲשֶׁר אֵינֶנּוּ זֹבֵחַ כַּטּוֹב כַּֽחֹטֶא הַנִּשְׁבָּע כַּאֲשֶׁר שְׁבוּעָה יָרֵֽא׃	ב	2	All things come alike to all; there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner, and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
זֶה ׀ רָע בְּכֹל אֲשֶֽׁר־נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כִּֽי־מִקְרֶה אֶחָד לַכֹּל וְגַם לֵב בְּֽנֵי־הָאָדָם מָלֵא־רָע וְהוֹלֵלוֹת בִּלְבָבָם בְּחַיֵּיהֶם וְאַחֲרָיו אֶל־הַמֵּתִֽים׃	ג	3	This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all; yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
כִּי־מִי אֲשֶׁר יְחֻבַּר יבחר אֶל כָּל־הַחַיִּים יֵשׁ בִּטָּחוֹן כִּֽי־לְכֶלֶב חַי הוּא טוֹב מִן־הָאַרְיֵה הַמֵּֽת׃	ד	4	For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
כִּי הַֽחַיִּים יוֹדְעִים שֶׁיָּמֻתוּ וְהַמֵּתִים אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים מְאוּמָה וְאֵֽין־עוֹד לָהֶם שָׂכָר כִּי נִשְׁכַּח זִכְרָֽם׃	ה	5	For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
גַּם אַהֲבָתָם גַּם־שִׂנְאָתָם גַּם־קִנְאָתָם כְּבָר אָבָדָה וְחֵלֶק אֵין־לָהֶם עוֹד לְעוֹלָם בְּכֹל אֲשֶֽׁר־נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ו	6	As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is long ago perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
לֵךְ אֱכֹל בְּשִׂמְחָה לַחְמֶךָ וּֽשֲׁתֵה בְלֶב־טוֹב יֵינֶךָ כִּי כְבָר רָצָה הָאֱלֹהִים אֶֽת־מַעֲשֶֽׂיךָ׃	ז	7	Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
בְּכָל־עֵת יִהְיוּ בְגָדֶיךָ לְבָנִים וְשֶׁמֶן עַל־רֹאשְׁךָ אַל־יֶחְסָֽר׃	ח	8	Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no oil.
רְאֵה חַיִּים עִם־אִשָּׁה אֲשֶׁר־אָהַבְתָּ כָּל־יְמֵי חַיֵּי הֶבְלֶךָ אֲשֶׁר נָֽתַן־לְךָ תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כֹּל יְמֵי הֶבְלֶךָ כִּי הוּא חֶלְקְךָ בַּֽחַיִּים וּבַעֲמָלְךָ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה עָמֵל תַּחַת הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ט	9	Enjoy life with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which He hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherein thou labourest under the sun.
כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָֽדְךָ לַעֲשׂוֹת בְּכֹחֲךָ עֲשֵׂה כִּי אֵין מַעֲשֶׂה וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן וְדַעַת וְחָכְמָה בִּשְׁאוֹל אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה הֹלֵךְ שָֽׁמָּה׃ ס	י	10	Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. {S}
שַׁבְתִּי וְרָאֹה תַֽחַת־הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ כִּי לֹא לַקַּלִּים הַמֵּרוֹץ וְלֹא לַגִּבּוֹרִים הַמִּלְחָמָה וְגַם לֹא לַחֲכָמִים לֶחֶם וְגַם לֹא לַנְּבֹנִים עֹשֶׁר וְגַם לֹא לַיֹּדְעִים חֵן כִּי־עֵת וָפֶגַע יִקְרֶה אֶת־כֻּלָּֽם׃	יא	11	I returned, and saw under the sun, that 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; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
כִּי גַּם לֹֽא־יֵדַע הָאָדָם אֶת־עִתּוֹ כַּדָּגִים שֶׁנֶּֽאֱחָזִים בִּמְצוֹדָה רָעָה וְכַצִּפֳּרִים הָאֲחֻזוֹת בַּפָּח כָּהֵם יֽוּקָשִׁים בְּנֵי הָֽאָדָם לְעֵת רָעָה כְּשֶׁתִּפּוֹל עֲלֵיהֶם פִּתְאֹֽם׃	יב	12	For man also knoweth not his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
גַּם־זֹה רָאִיתִי חָכְמָה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ וּגְדוֹלָה הִיא אֵלָֽי׃	יג	13	This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
עִיר קְטַנָּה וַאֲנָשִׁים בָּהּ מְעָט וּבָֽא־אֵלֶיהָ מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל וְסָבַב אֹתָהּ וּבָנָה עָלֶיהָ מְצוֹדִים גְּדֹלִֽים׃	יד	14	there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it;
וּמָצָא בָהּ אִישׁ מִסְכֵּן חָכָם וּמִלַּט־הוּא אֶת־הָעִיר בְּחָכְמָתוֹ וְאָדָם לֹא זָכַר אֶת־הָאִישׁ הַמִּסְכֵּן הַהּֽוּא׃	יה	15	now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
וְאָמַרְתִּי אָנִי טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִגְּבוּרָה וְחָכְמַת הַמִּסְכֵּן בְּזוּיָה וּדְבָרָיו אֵינָם נִשְׁמָעִֽים׃	יו	16	Then said I: 'Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.'
דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים בְּנַחַת נִשְׁמָעִים מִזַּעֲקַת מוֹשֵׁל בַּכְּסִילִֽים׃	יז	17	The words of the wise spoken in quiet are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools.
טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִכְּלֵי קְרָב וְחוֹטֶא אֶחָד יְאַבֵּד טוֹבָה הַרְבֵּֽה׃	יח	18	Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

Q	Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.
n	Marks an anomalous form.
p	We read punctuation in L differently from BHS.

Chapter 10

זְבוּבֵי מָוֶת יַבְאִישׁ יַבִּיעַ שֶׁמֶן רוֹקֵחַ יָקָר מֵחָכְמָה מִכָּבוֹד סִכְלוּת מְעָֽט׃	א	1	Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.
לֵב חָכָם לִֽימִינוֹ וְלֵב כְּסִיל לִשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃	ב	2	A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; but a fool's understanding at his left.
וְגַם־בַּדֶּרֶךְ כְּשֶׁסָּכָל כשהסכל הֹלֵךְ לִבּוֹ חָסֵר וְאָמַר לַכֹּל סָכָל הֽוּא׃	ג	3	Yea also, when a fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
אִם־רוּחַ הַמּוֹשֵׁל תַּעֲלֶה עָלֶיךָ מְקוֹמְךָ אַל־תַּנַּח כִּי מַרְפֵּא יַנִּיחַ חֲטָאִים גְּדוֹלִֽים׃	ד	4	If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.
יֵשׁ רָעָה רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ כִּשְׁגָגָה שֶׁיֹּצָא מִלִּפְנֵי הַשַּׁלִּֽיט׃	ה	5	There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler:
נִתַּן הַסֶּכֶל בַּמְּרוֹמִים רַבִּים וַעֲשִׁירִים בַּשֵּׁפֶל יֵשֵֽׁבוּ׃	ו	6	Folly is set on great heights, and the rich sit in low place.
רָאִיתִי עֲבָדִים עַל־סוּסִים וְשָׂרִים הֹלְכִים כַּעֲבָדִים עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃	ז	7	I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
חֹפֵר גּוּמָּץ בּוֹ יִפּוֹל וּפֹרֵץ גָּדֵר יִשְּׁכֶנּוּ נָחָֽשׁ׃	ח	8	He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.
מַסִּיעַ אֲבָנִים יֵעָצֵב בָּהֶם בּוֹקֵעַ עֵצִים יִסָּכֶן בָּֽם׃	ט	9	Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.
אִם־קֵהָה הַבַּרְזֶל וְהוּא לֹא־פָנִים קִלְקַל וַחֲיָלִים יְגַבֵּר וְיִתְרוֹן הַכְשֵׁר הכשיר חָכְמָֽה׃	י	10	If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.
אִם־יִשֹּׁךְ הַנָּחָשׁ בְּלוֹא־לָחַשׁ וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן לְבַעַל הַלָּשֽׁוֹן׃	יא	11	If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.
דִּבְרֵי פִי־חָכָם חֵן וְשִׂפְתוֹת כְּסִיל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃	יב	12	The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
תְּחִלַּת דִּבְרֵי־פִיהוּ סִכְלוּת וְאַחֲרִית פִּיהוּ הוֹלֵלוּת רָעָֽה׃	יג	13	The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is grievous madness.
וְהַסָּכָל יַרְבֶּה דְבָרִים לֹא־יֵדַע הָאָדָם מַה־שֶׁיִּֽהְיֶה וַאֲשֶׁר יִֽהְיֶה מֵֽאַחֲרָיו מִי יַגִּיד לֽוֹ׃	יד	14	A fool also multiplieth words; yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?
עֲמַל הַכְּסִילִים תְּיַגְּעֶנּוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יָדַע לָלֶכֶת אֶל־עִֽיר׃	יה	15	The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth not how to go to the city.
אִֽי־לָךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ נָעַר וְשָׂרַיִךְ בַּבֹּקֶר יֹאכֵֽלוּ׃	יו	16	Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, and thy princes feast in the morning!
אַשְׁרֵיךְ אֶרֶץ שֶׁמַּלְכֵּךְ בֶּן־חוֹרִים וְשָׂרַיִךְ בָּעֵת יֹאכֵלוּ בִּגְבוּרָה וְלֹא בַשְּׁתִֽי׃	יז	17	Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, and thy princes eat in due season, in strength, and not in drunkenness!
בַּעֲצַלְתַּיִם יִמַּךְ הַמְּקָרֶה וּבְשִׁפְלוּת יָדַיִם יִדְלֹף הַבָּֽיִת׃	יח	18	By slothfulness the rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.
לִשְׂחוֹק עֹשִׂים לֶחֶם וְיַיִן יְשַׂמַּח חַיִּים וְהַכֶּסֶף יַעֲנֶה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃	יט	19	A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.
גַּם בְּמַדָּֽעֲךָ מֶלֶךְ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל וּבְחַדְרֵי מִשְׁכָּבְךָ אַל־תְּקַלֵּל עָשִׁיר כִּי עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם יוֹלִיךְ אֶת־הַקּוֹל וּבַעַל כְּנָפַיִם הכנפים יַגֵּיד דָּבָֽר׃	כ	20	Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought, and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

y	Yathir readings in L which we have designated as Qeres when both Dothan and BHS list a Qere.

Chapter 11

שַׁלַּח לַחְמְךָ עַל־פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם כִּֽי־בְרֹב הַיָּמִים תִּמְצָאֶֽנּוּ׃	א	1	Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.
תֶּן־חֵלֶק לְשִׁבְעָה וְגַם לִשְׁמוֹנָה כִּי לֹא תֵדַע מַה־יִּהְיֶה רָעָה עַל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃	ב	2	Divide a portion into seven, yea, even into eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
אִם־יִמָּלְאוּ הֶעָבִים גֶּשֶׁם עַל־הָאָרֶץ יָרִיקוּ וְאִם־יִפּוֹל עֵץ בַּדָּרוֹם וְאִם בַּצָּפוֹן מְקוֹם שֶׁיִּפּוֹל הָעֵץ שָׁם יְהֽוּא׃	ג	3	If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.
שֹׁמֵר רוּחַ לֹא יִזְרָע וְרֹאֶה בֶעָבִים לֹא יִקְצֽוֹר׃	ד	4	He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
כַּאֲשֶׁר אֵֽינְךָ יוֹדֵעַ מַה־דֶּרֶךְ הָרוּחַ כַּעֲצָמִים בְּבֶטֶן הַמְּלֵאָה כָּכָה לֹא תֵדַע אֶת־מַעֲשֵׂה הָֽאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה אֶת־הַכֹּֽל׃	ה	5	As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all things.
בַּבֹּקֶר זְרַע אֶת־זַרְעֶךָ וְלָעֶרֶב אַל־תַּנַּח יָדֶךָ כִּי אֵֽינְךָ יוֹדֵע אֵי זֶה יִכְשָׁר הֲזֶה אוֹ־זֶה וְאִם־שְׁנֵיהֶם כְּאֶחָד טוֹבִֽים׃	ו	6	In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.
וּמָתוֹק הָאוֹר וְטוֹב לַֽעֵינַיִם לִרְאוֹת אֶת־הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃	ז	7	And the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.
כִּי אִם־שָׁנִים הַרְבֵּה יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם בְּכֻלָּם יִשְׂמָח וְיִזְכֹּר אֶת־יְמֵי הַחֹשֶׁךְ כִּֽי־הַרְבֵּה יִהְיוּ כָּל־שֶׁבָּא הָֽבֶל׃	ח	8	For if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
שְׂמַח בָּחוּר בְּיַלְדוּתֶיךָ וִֽיטִֽיבְךָ לִבְּךָ בִּימֵי בְחוּרוֹתֶךָ וְהַלֵּךְ בְּדַרְכֵי לִבְּךָ וּבְמַרְאֵי עֵינֶיךָ וְדָע כִּי עַל־כָּל־אֵלֶּה יְבִֽיאֲךָ הָאֱלֹהִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃	ט	9	Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
וְהָסֵר כַּעַס מִלִּבֶּךָ וְהַעֲבֵר רָעָה מִבְּשָׂרֶךָ כִּֽי־הַיַּלְדוּת וְהַֽשַּׁחֲרוּת הָֽבֶל׃	י	10	Therefore remove vexation from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity.

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

U	We agree with both BHS 1997 and BHQ on an unexpected reading.

Chapter 12

וּזְכֹר אֶת־בּוֹרְאֶיךָ בִּימֵי בְּחוּרֹתֶיךָ עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָבֹאוּ יְמֵי הָֽרָעָה וְהִגִּיעוּ שָׁנִים אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמַר אֵֽין־לִי בָהֶם חֵֽפֶץ׃	א	1	Remember then thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: 'I have no pleasure in them';
עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־תֶחְשַׁךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְהָאוֹר וְהַיָּרֵחַ וְהַכּוֹכָבִים וְשָׁבוּ הֶעָבִים אַחַר הַגָּֽשֶׁם׃	ב	2	Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;
בַּיּוֹם שֶׁיָּזֻעוּ שֹׁמְרֵי הַבַּיִת וְהִֽתְעַוְּתוּ אַנְשֵׁי הֶחָיִל וּבָטְלוּ הַטֹּֽחֲנוֹת כִּי מִעֵטוּ וְחָשְׁכוּ הָרֹאוֹת בָּאֲרֻבּֽוֹת׃	ג	3	In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out shall be darkened in the windows,
וְסֻגְּרוּ דְלָתַיִם בַּשּׁוּק בִּשְׁפַל קוֹל הַֽטַּחֲנָה וְיָקוּם לְקוֹל הַצִּפּוֹר וְיִשַּׁחוּ כָּל־בְּנוֹת הַשִּֽׁיר׃	ד	4	And the doors shall be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding is low; and one shall start up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;
גַּם מִגָּבֹהַּ יִרָאוּ וְחַתְחַתִּים בַּדֶּרֶךְ וְיָנֵאץ הַשָּׁקֵד וְיִסְתַּבֵּל הֶֽחָגָב וְתָפֵר הָֽאֲבִיּוֹנָה כִּֽי־הֹלֵךְ הָאָדָם אֶל־בֵּית עוֹלָמוֹ וְסָבְבוּ בָשּׁוּק הַסֹּפְדִֽים׃	ה	5	Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall drag itself along, and the caperberry shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets;
עַד אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יֵרָתֵק ירחק חֶבֶל הַכֶּסֶף וְתָרֻץ גֻּלַּת הַזָּהָב וְתִשָּׁבֶר כַּד עַל־הַמַּבּוּעַ וְנָרֹץ הַגַּלְגַּל אֶל־הַבּֽוֹר׃	ו	6	Before the silver cord is snapped asunder, and the golden bowl is shattered, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel falleth shattered, into the pit;
וְיָשֹׁב הֶעָפָר עַל־הָאָרֶץ כְּשֶׁהָיָה וְהָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָֽהּ׃	ז	7	And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.
הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר הַקּוֹהֶלֶת הַכֹּל הָֽבֶל׃	ח	8	Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; all is vanity.
וְיֹתֵר שֶׁהָיָה קֹהֶלֶת חָכָם עוֹד לִמַּד־דַּעַת אֶת־הָעָם וְאִזֵּן וְחִקֵּר תִּקֵּן מְשָׁלִים הַרְבֵּֽה׃	ט	9	And besides that Koheleth was wise, he also taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
בִּקֵּשׁ קֹהֶלֶת לִמְצֹא דִּבְרֵי־חֵפֶץ וְכָתוּב יֹשֶׁר דִּבְרֵי אֱמֶֽת׃	י	10	Koheleth sought to find out words of delight, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.
דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים כַּדָּרְבֹנוֹת וּֽכְמַשְׂמְרוֹת נְטוּעִים בַּעֲלֵי אֲסֻפּוֹת נִתְּנוּ מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָֽד׃	יא	11	The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd.
וְיֹתֵר מֵהֵמָּה בְּנִי הִזָּהֵר עֲשׂוֹת סְפָרִים הַרְבֵּה אֵין קֵץ וְלַהַג הַרְבֵּה יְגִעַת בָּשָֽׂר׃	יב	12	And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
סוֹף דָּבָר הַכֹּל נִשְׁמָע אֶת־הָאֱלֹהִים יְרָא וְאֶת־מִצְוֺתָיו שְׁמוֹר כִּי־זֶה כָּל־הָאָדָֽם׃	יג	13	The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man.
כִּי אֶת־כָּל־מַֽעֲשֶׂה הָאֱלֹהִים יָבִא בְמִשְׁפָּט עַל כָּל־נֶעְלָם אִם־טוֹב וְאִם־רָֽע׃	יד	14	For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. {P}

Groves Center Legend For Leningrad Codex Notes

Q	Marks a place where we agree with BHQ against BHS in reading L.
n	Marks an anomalous form.
v	We read one or more vowels in L differently from BHS.

Tanakh
Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

TRANSLATION / PUBLICATION NOTES:

Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) :

Leningrad Codex Based Tanakh (aka Hebrew Scriptures) derived from:
"Electronic" Leningrad Codex obtained from www.tanach.us
Source for the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC) — Groves Center:
Maintained by the J.Alan Groves Center For Advanced Biblical Research.
(WLC) Unicode Conversion to Hebrew Font Encoding For Web Pages:
Written In C++ Programming Language
By Robert M. Pill
Copyright © 2005–2023 By Robert M. Pill, All Rights Reserved.

QERE — KETIV
(What is Read —What is Written) :

Qere and Ketiv, from the Aramaic qere or q're, קְרֵי‎ ("[what is] read") and ketiv, or ketib, kethib, kethibh, kethiv, כְּתִיב‎ ("[what is] written"), also known as "keri uchesiv" or "keri uchetiv," refers to a system for marking differences between what is written in the consonantal text of the Hebrew Bible, as preserved by scribal tradition, and what is read. In such situations, the Qere is the technical orthographic device used to indicate the pronunciation of the words in the Masoretic text of the Hebrew language scriptures (Tanakh), while the Ketiv indicates their written form, as inherited from tradition.
SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qere_and_Ketiv

Q. What is the Qere and Ketiv and how does it relate to the Masoretes?
( see: http://jbtc.org/v08/Graves2003.html )

For PDF Of Above Link Click This Line!

A. Qere and Ketiv are orthographic devices that were used by the Masoretes,
i.e., Jewish scribes from the 6-10th centuries.

Qere means, "what is read," and ketiv means, "what is written".

It is found in existing Masoretic manuscripts dating to the 9th and 10th centuries, CE.

There are several forms of Qere / Ketiv, including:
ordinary, vowel, omitted, added, euphemistic, split, and qere perpetuum.

The ketiv that is most relevant is the vowel qere. In this case, the consonants are unchanged,
but different vowel signs are added and only the qere, i.e., what is read, is vocalized. ...

I Challenge The Rabbinic QERE–KETIV System!

In January 2022, beginning with the "Accented" (Full Trop and Vowels), rendering I chose to repair defects in the html encodings which occurred with my mechanical conversion of the unicode multi-wide encoding from http://tanach.us. I also decided to rearrange the Qere–Ketiv "system" with what I consider was the Masoretic intent in the first place!

The New KETIV–qere Hebrew Rendering (ACCENTS)!

Thus, this current version uses the Ketiv, what is written, as the predominant rendering, while making the Qere, what the "rabbis" have commanded as Must Be Read instead, to be a minimalist secondary format (much as rabbis appear to have intended the Ketiv to be!).

One of the reasons I decided to take on this new rendering effort is that in my efforts to understand the nature of the rabbinic Qere–Ketiv system I have not truly found a satisfactory explanation of why the "Qere" should always take precedence over the "Ketiv" in reading the Tanakh.

In fact, as I understand it, rabbinic "scribes", in examining the actual Aleppo and Leningrad Codices, appear to have taken upon themselves to adding the consonant only Qere in the margins upon the original manuscripts, where, in their "infinite wisdom" they have presumed themselves to be the greater authority!

Moreover, as rabbinic sources seem to indicate that the "Ketiv" should never be uttered, I have found instances, such as in Exodus 21:8, where I believe the "Qere" is blatantly INCORRECT — and that the "Ketiv" should be the preferred "reading", as if the Masoretes actually knew what they were doing all along!

In my own regular reading (Stone Edition Tanakh, Koren Publications Tanakh), my preference has been to read the "Ketiv" (what is written) and pretty much minimize the "Qere"! This is not easy to do because the predominant Qere is rendered as if it is the normative form, and the Ketiv follows, typically within brackets, as if it is the offensive variant (Stone Edition Tanakh)! In the Koren Publications Tanakh, the "Ketiv" is what is rendered in the margin, while the "Qere" is found in the regular text! Obviously, normal reading will typically ignore what the Masoretes wrote, the "Ketiv"!

As of January, 2022, and going forward, I intend to render the rabbinic additions of Qere in their current KETIV–qere form found in the accented version. I consider this as to convey the intent of the Masoretes. However, I acknowledge that rabbis (talmudists) have expended much effort to obscure the written Torah as part of their regular practice; as they appear, to me, to view themselves collectively as אֱלֹהִ֔ים Elohim. That is, I believe that those talmudists (rabbis), consider themselves collectively to be God!!! They certainly demand that their edicts (tachanot) are followed as if they are divinely inspired law!

If you find this of interest, please view the page on KETIV–QERE Variants

English Scripture Passages From:
"The Holy Scriptures Tanakh 1917 edition
According To The Masoretic Text (JPS 1917 Edition)"

The Jewish Publication Society of America "The Holy Scriptures According To The Masoretic Text (JPS 1917)" is in the public domain, and may be freely copied.

Notable Modifications
To The JPS 1917 Based English Scripture
In The-Iconoclast.org's Hebrew–English Tanakh:

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!

In The-Iconoclast.org Modified Version Of the JPS 1917 Text, The Verse numbering has been altered to match the corresponding verses in the original Hebrew Scriptures of the actual Leningrad Codex for "The Ten Commandments" in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5!

For More Information Regarding 'The Ten Commandments', See the Page, Comparing The Ten Commandments Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5 In The Leningrad Codex

The Name יְהֹוָה Yehovah

"Yehovah", The Name Of G-d In The Hebrew Scripures ('YHVH': י 'Yud', ה 'He', ו 'Vav', ה 'He', aka Tetragamaton) Is Used Instead of "LORD" (note: ALL CAPITAL LETTERS) As Found In The Original JPS 1917 Tanakh.

For More Information Regarding 'The Name', See the Page, The Name יְהֹוָה [Yehovah] In The Aleppo And Leningrad Codices.

In Converting "LORD" to "Yehovah", I Counted A Total Of 5,553 Occurrences In The JPS 1917 Tanakh!

הָאָדֹ֥ן ׀ יְהוָֽה ha Adon Yehovah

The Hebrew Phrase הָאָדֹ֥ן ׀ יְהוָֽה Occurs In Only Two Places, In Exodus 23:17 and 34:23. In Those Cases, I Have Changed The Translation Wording From "Lord GOD" To "Lord GOD [ha Adon Yehovah]".

אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהֹוִֽה Adonai Yehovi

Typically Translated As "Lord GOD", It Is A Much Less Common Form Of The Divine Name, יְהֹוָה [Yehovah].

This Form אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהֹוִֽה Is, Nevertheless, Quite Important In Understanding Pronounciation For The Divine Name, Especially Since The Hebrew Form For It Has NOT Undergone The Intense Scrutiny Of rabbinic Censorship As Has "Yehovah". Accordingly, The Hebrew Text For This Form Of 'The Name' Typically HAS NOT BEEN ALTERED In Jewish Publications That Actually Keep The Vowel Pointers From The Masoretic Text!

In Converting "Lord GOD" to "Lord GOD [Adonai Yehovi]", I Counted A Total Of 284 Occurrences In The JPS 1917 Tanakh. Of All Of Its Occurrences, The Fully Voweled Form Of The Hebrew אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהֹוִֽה Appears 31 Times, And The Non–Fully Voweled Form אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִֽה (The Same Hebrew Letters, Minus Just The One 'Oh' Sounding Character, "The Holem", Which Follows The First 'He' In ( י 'Yud', ה 'He', ו 'Vav', ה 'He' ), Make Up All Other Occurrences.

תורה Torah

The Word "Law" (Capital and lower case), As Found In The JPS 1917, Has Been Changed To "Torah" Where The Base Hebrew Letters תורה Correspond To The Matching Verse In The Leningrad Codex (Masoretic Text)!

In Converting "Law" to "Torah", I Counted A Total Of 223 Occurrences In The JPS 1917 Tanakh!

Yerushalam, Yerush'lem and Yerushalayim

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם "Yerushalam"

The Word "Jerusalem" (the name of capital city in ancient Israel), As Found In The JPS 1917, Has Been Changed To Its Transliterated Equivalent, "Yerushalam" (note the 'am' ending), In All Places Where It Corresponds To [ יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם ] In The Hebrew Text.

יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם "Yerush'lem"

A Rare, Second Transliterated Form, "Yerush'lem" (note the 'em' ending), Has Been Changed From "Jerusalem" Where The Hebrew Letters Spell Out The Aramaic Form [ יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם ] Found In Aramaic Parts Of Daniel And Ezra.

ירוּשָׁלַ֙יִם֙ "Yerushalayim"

The Extremely Rare, Third Transliterated Form, "Yerushalayim" (note the 'ayim' ending), Has Been Changed From The JPS 1917 "Jerusalem" To Correspond To The Hebrew [ ירוּשָׁלַ֙יִם֙ ].

Noteworthy Is That This Rarest Form Appears In Only Four (4) Places In The Entire Hebrew Scriptures, Yet, It Is The Most Common Pronunciation For The Name Of The Ancient City! Its Four (Out Of Over 600) Appearances Are:
1) Jeremiah 26:18, 2) Esther 2:6, 3) I Chronicles 3:5, and 4) II Chronicles 25:1.

In Converting "Jerusalem" To Its Transliterated Equivalents, I Counted A Total Of 625 Occurrences In The JPS 1917 Tanakh!

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