WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.860 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:04.160 Day three hundred and 11. 00:00:04.568 --> 00:00:08.558 There is another serious tragedy I have seen under the sun and 00:00:08.558 --> 00:00:10.328 it weighs heavily on humanity. 00:00:11.588 --> 00:00:15.788 God gives some people great wealth and honor and everything they could 00:00:15.788 --> 00:00:20.138 ever want, but then he doesn't give them the chance to enjoy these things. 00:00:21.098 --> 00:00:26.228 They die, and someone else, even a stranger, ends up enjoying their wealth. 00:00:27.218 --> 00:00:28.418 This is meaningless. 00:00:29.003 --> 00:00:30.353 A sickening tragedy. 00:00:31.523 --> 00:00:36.713 A man might have a hundred children and live to be very old, but if he finds 00:00:36.713 --> 00:00:41.633 no satisfaction in life and doesn't even get a decent burial, it would've 00:00:41.633 --> 00:00:43.673 been better for him to be born dead. 00:00:44.633 --> 00:00:48.653 His birth would've been meaningless and he would've ended in darkness. 00:00:49.373 --> 00:00:52.973 He wouldn't even have had a name and he would never have seen the 00:00:52.973 --> 00:00:54.953 son or known of its existence. 00:00:56.288 --> 00:01:00.338 Yet he would've had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man. 00:01:01.628 --> 00:01:06.638 He might live a thousand years, twice over, but still not find contentment. 00:01:07.688 --> 00:01:12.368 And since he must die like everyone else, well what's the use? 00:01:13.298 --> 00:01:16.868 All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they 00:01:16.868 --> 00:01:18.038 never seem to have enough. 00:01:18.968 --> 00:01:21.608 So are wise people really better off than fools? 00:01:22.298 --> 00:01:23.828 Do poor people gain anything? 00:01:23.828 --> 00:01:29.618 By being wise and knowing how to act in front of others, enjoy what you have, 00:01:30.278 --> 00:01:32.378 rather than desiring what you don't have. 00:01:33.458 --> 00:01:38.528 Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless, like chasing the wind. 00:01:39.458 --> 00:01:41.078 Everything has already been decided. 00:01:41.718 --> 00:01:45.848 It was known long ago what each person would be, so there's no use 00:01:45.848 --> 00:01:47.888 arguing with God about your destiny. 00:01:48.968 --> 00:01:52.058 The more words you speak, the less they mean. 00:01:52.658 --> 00:01:53.738 So what good are they? 00:01:55.028 --> 00:01:59.828 In the few days of our meaningless lives, who knows how our days can best be spent? 00:02:00.398 --> 00:02:01.988 Our lives are like a shadow. 00:02:02.828 --> 00:02:05.798 Who can tell what will happen on this earth after we are gone? 00:02:06.728 --> 00:02:12.368 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume, and the day you die 00:02:12.368 --> 00:02:14.228 is better than the day you are born. 00:02:15.458 --> 00:02:18.308 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. 00:02:19.028 --> 00:02:22.838 After all, everyone dies, so the living should take this to heart. 00:02:23.708 --> 00:02:29.168 Sorrow is better than laughter for sadness has a refining influence on us. 00:02:30.278 --> 00:02:32.348 A wise person thinks a lot about death. 00:02:33.128 --> 00:02:38.318 While a fool thinks only about having a good time, better to be criticized by a 00:02:38.318 --> 00:02:41.498 wise person than to be praised by a fool. 00:02:42.248 --> 00:02:44.198 A fool's laughter is quickly gone. 00:02:44.738 --> 00:02:46.658 Like thorns crackling in a fire. 00:02:47.708 --> 00:02:52.808 This also is meaningless extortion turns wise people into fools 00:02:53.198 --> 00:02:54.758 and bribes corrupt the heart. 00:02:55.688 --> 00:02:57.368 Finishing is better than starting. 00:02:58.268 --> 00:03:00.068 Patience is better than pride. 00:03:01.028 --> 00:03:04.838 Control your temper for anger labels you a fool. 00:03:05.588 --> 00:03:07.808 Don't long for the good old days. 00:03:08.048 --> 00:03:09.218 This is not wise. 00:03:10.208 --> 00:03:12.398 Wisdom is even better when you have money. 00:03:12.983 --> 00:03:13.973 Both are a benefit. 00:03:13.973 --> 00:03:19.133 As you go through life, wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but 00:03:19.133 --> 00:03:25.673 only wisdom can save your life except the way God does things for who can 00:03:25.673 --> 00:03:27.473 straighten what he has made crooked. 00:03:28.163 --> 00:03:32.303 Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, 00:03:32.783 --> 00:03:35.093 realize that both come from God. 00:03:35.873 --> 00:03:38.303 Remember that nothing is certain in this life. 00:03:39.203 --> 00:03:41.543 I have seen everything in this meaningless life. 00:03:42.083 --> 00:03:46.853 Including the death of good young people and the long life of wicked people. 00:03:47.693 --> 00:03:52.103 So don't be too good or too wise, why destroy yourself? 00:03:53.003 --> 00:03:55.103 On the other hand, don't be too wicked either. 00:03:55.433 --> 00:03:56.483 Don't be a fool. 00:03:57.233 --> 00:03:58.943 Why die before your time? 00:03:59.543 --> 00:04:02.993 Pay attention to these instructions for anyone who fears 00:04:02.993 --> 00:04:05.063 God will avoid both extremes. 00:04:06.443 --> 00:04:11.123 One wise person is stronger than 10 leading citizens of a town. 00:04:12.308 --> 00:04:16.928 Not a single person on Earth is always good and never sins. 00:04:17.828 --> 00:04:19.268 Don't eavesdrop on others. 00:04:19.628 --> 00:04:23.558 You may hear your servant curse you for you know how often you 00:04:23.558 --> 00:04:25.358 yourself have cursed others. 00:04:26.708 --> 00:04:30.368 I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. 00:04:30.938 --> 00:04:36.068 I said to myself, I am determined to be wise, but it didn't work. 00:04:36.788 --> 00:04:40.028 Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. 00:04:41.483 --> 00:04:44.843 I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to 00:04:44.843 --> 00:04:46.463 understand the reason for things. 00:04:47.333 --> 00:04:50.483 I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid, 00:04:50.783 --> 00:04:52.793 and that foolishness is madness. 00:04:54.143 --> 00:04:58.103 I discovered that a seductive woman is a trap, more bitter than death. 00:04:58.913 --> 00:05:03.413 Her passion is a snare, and her soft hands are chains. 00:05:04.373 --> 00:05:08.003 Those who are pleasing to God will escape her, but sinners 00:05:08.003 --> 00:05:09.623 will be caught in her snare. 00:05:10.868 --> 00:05:13.148 This is my conclusion, says the teacher. 00:05:14.018 --> 00:05:17.438 I discovered this after looking at the matter from every possible angle. 00:05:18.248 --> 00:05:22.268 Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. 00:05:22.898 --> 00:05:27.788 Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman. 00:05:28.688 --> 00:05:34.088 But I did find this, God created people to be virtuous, but they have each 00:05:34.088 --> 00:05:36.518 turned to follow their own downward path. 00:05:37.913 --> 00:05:42.023 How wonderful to be wise to analyze and interpret things. 00:05:42.953 --> 00:05:47.063 Wisdom lights up a person's face softening its harshness. 00:05:48.653 --> 00:05:51.923 Obey the king since you vowed to God that you would. 00:05:52.973 --> 00:05:57.713 Don't try to avoid doing your duty and don't stand with those who plot evil. 00:05:58.373 --> 00:06:00.473 For the king can do whatever he wants. 00:06:01.073 --> 00:06:03.443 His command is backed by great power. 00:06:04.103 --> 00:06:06.413 No one can resist or question it. 00:06:07.328 --> 00:06:09.488 Those who obey him will not be punished. 00:06:10.208 --> 00:06:14.708 Those who are wise will find a time and a way to do what is right for. 00:06:14.708 --> 00:06:18.788 There is a time and a way for everything, even when a person is in trouble. 00:06:19.718 --> 00:06:23.918 Indeed, how can people avoid what they don't know is going to happen? 00:06:24.788 --> 00:06:27.608 None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. 00:06:28.418 --> 00:06:31.298 None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. 00:06:32.408 --> 00:06:36.128 There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. 00:06:37.073 --> 00:06:41.483 And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue the wicked. 00:06:42.413 --> 00:06:46.523 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people 00:06:46.523 --> 00:06:47.963 have the power to hurt each other. 00:06:48.953 --> 00:06:53.333 I have seen wicked people buried with honor, yet they were the very 00:06:53.333 --> 00:06:57.293 ones who frequented the temple and are now praised in the same city 00:06:57.293 --> 00:06:58.823 where they committed their crimes. 00:06:59.783 --> 00:07:01.613 This too is meaningless. 00:07:02.738 --> 00:07:06.818 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 00:07:07.778 --> 00:07:11.678 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives 00:07:11.678 --> 00:07:16.358 a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 00:07:17.438 --> 00:07:20.738 The wicked will not prosper for they do not fear God. 00:07:21.548 --> 00:07:27.398 Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows, and this is not 00:07:27.398 --> 00:07:29.078 all that is meaningless in our world. 00:07:29.618 --> 00:07:32.918 In this life, good people are often treated as though they were 00:07:32.918 --> 00:07:36.878 wicked and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. 00:07:37.478 --> 00:07:43.568 This is so meaningless, so I recommend having fun because there is nothing 00:07:43.568 --> 00:07:47.348 better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. 00:07:48.368 --> 00:07:52.088 That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard 00:07:52.088 --> 00:07:53.738 work God gives them under the sun. 00:07:55.463 --> 00:07:59.453 In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people's burdens here 00:07:59.453 --> 00:08:04.673 on earth, I discovered that there is a ceaseless activity day and night. 00:08:05.993 --> 00:08:09.773 I realized that no one can discover everything God is doing under the sun. 00:08:10.553 --> 00:08:15.053 Not even the wisest people discover everything no matter what they claim. 00:08:16.583 --> 00:08:21.923 This too, I carefully explored even though the actions of Godly and 00:08:21.923 --> 00:08:23.963 wise people are in God's hands. 00:08:24.773 --> 00:08:27.323 No one knows whether God will show them favor. 00:08:28.283 --> 00:08:31.763 The same destiny ultimately awaits everyone, whether 00:08:31.763 --> 00:08:34.733 righteous or wicked, good or bad. 00:08:35.183 --> 00:08:40.973 Ceremonially, clean or unclean religious or I religious good people 00:08:40.973 --> 00:08:45.443 receive the same treatment as sinners, and people who make promises to God 00:08:45.443 --> 00:08:47.003 are treated like people who don't. 00:08:48.053 --> 00:08:52.013 It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate. 00:08:53.063 --> 00:08:56.723 Already twisted by evil people choose their own mad 00:08:56.723 --> 00:08:58.493 course for they have no hope. 00:08:59.273 --> 00:09:01.343 There is nothing ahead but death anyway. 00:09:01.943 --> 00:09:05.993 There is hope only for the living As they say, it's better to 00:09:05.993 --> 00:09:08.363 be alive dog than a dead lion. 00:09:08.763 --> 00:09:13.283 The living at least know they will die, but the dead know nothing. 00:09:14.033 --> 00:09:18.653 They have no further reward, nor are they remembered whatever 00:09:18.653 --> 00:09:20.063 they did in their lifetime. 00:09:20.678 --> 00:09:24.938 Loving, hating, envying is all long gone. 00:09:25.898 --> 00:09:28.448 They no longer play a part in anything here on earth. 00:09:29.258 --> 00:09:34.568 So go ahead, eat your food with joy and drink your wine with a happy heart. 00:09:35.018 --> 00:09:40.118 For God approves of this, wear fine clothes with a splash of cologne. 00:09:40.958 --> 00:09:45.158 Live happily with a woman you love through all the meaningless days of life 00:09:45.578 --> 00:09:47.348 that God has given you under the sun. 00:09:48.398 --> 00:09:52.028 The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil. 00:09:52.598 --> 00:09:58.658 Whatever you do, do well for when you go to the grave, there will be no work 00:09:58.688 --> 00:10:01.118 or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 00:10:02.768 --> 00:10:05.018 I have observed something else under the sun. 00:10:05.308 --> 00:10:09.398 The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest 00:10:09.398 --> 00:10:11.378 warrior doesn't always win the battle. 00:10:12.368 --> 00:10:16.928 The whys sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. 00:10:17.813 --> 00:10:21.293 And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. 00:10:21.833 --> 00:10:26.573 It is all decided by chance by being in the right place at the right time. 00:10:27.503 --> 00:10:31.673 People can never predict when hard times might come, like fish 00:10:31.673 --> 00:10:33.953 in a net or birds in a trap. 00:10:34.553 --> 00:10:36.503 People are caught by sudden tragedy. 00:10:37.493 --> 00:10:40.493 Here is another bit of wisdom that has impressed me as I have 00:10:40.493 --> 00:10:42.353 watched the way our world works. 00:10:43.343 --> 00:10:45.563 There was a small town with only a few people. 00:10:45.968 --> 00:10:48.698 And a great king came with his army and besieged it. 00:10:49.718 --> 00:10:54.428 A poor, wise man knew how to save the town, and so it was rescued. 00:10:55.118 --> 00:10:56.978 But afterward, no one thought to thank him. 00:10:58.028 --> 00:11:01.688 So even though wisdom is better than strength, those who are wise 00:11:01.688 --> 00:11:03.548 will be despised if they are poor. 00:11:03.828 --> 00:11:07.358 What they say will not be appreciated for long. 00:11:08.378 --> 00:11:13.478 Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king. 00:11:14.288 --> 00:11:16.658 Better to have wisdom than weapons of war. 00:11:17.348 --> 00:11:22.508 But one sinner can destroy much that is good as dead flies cause 00:11:22.508 --> 00:11:24.428 even a bottle of perfume to stink. 00:11:24.968 --> 00:11:28.148 So a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. 00:11:29.018 --> 00:11:31.298 A wise person chooses the right road. 00:11:31.868 --> 00:11:33.488 A fool takes the wrong one. 00:11:34.718 --> 00:11:38.078 You can identify fools just by the way they walk down the street. 00:11:38.768 --> 00:11:41.438 If your boss is angry at you, don't quit. 00:11:42.173 --> 00:11:45.293 The quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. 00:11:46.283 --> 00:11:48.473 There was another evil I have seen under the sun. 00:11:49.103 --> 00:11:52.733 Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great 00:11:52.738 --> 00:11:57.293 authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. 00:11:57.743 --> 00:12:01.883 I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes and 00:12:01.883 --> 00:12:03.863 princes walking like servants. 00:12:04.883 --> 00:12:07.373 When you dig a well, you might fall in. 00:12:08.123 --> 00:12:11.483 When you demolish an old wall, you could be bitten by a snake. 00:12:12.548 --> 00:12:15.818 When you work in a quarry, stones might fall and crush you. 00:12:16.688 --> 00:12:20.198 When you chop wood, there is danger with each stroke of your ax. 00:12:21.218 --> 00:12:25.358 Using a dull axe requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. 00:12:25.988 --> 00:12:27.578 That's the value of wisdom. 00:12:28.028 --> 00:12:32.288 It helps you succeed if a snake bites before you charm it. 00:12:32.648 --> 00:12:34.028 What's the use of being a snake? 00:12:34.028 --> 00:12:40.328 Charmer wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. 00:12:41.453 --> 00:12:45.053 Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their 00:12:45.053 --> 00:12:47.333 conclusions will be wicked madness. 00:12:47.843 --> 00:12:49.673 They chatter on and on. 00:12:50.723 --> 00:12:52.553 No one really knows what is going to happen. 00:12:52.943 --> 00:12:54.413 No one can predict the future. 00:12:55.223 --> 00:12:59.933 Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can't even find their way home. 00:13:01.283 --> 00:13:04.193 What sorrow for the land ruled by his servant? 00:13:04.853 --> 00:13:07.163 The land whose leaders feast in the morning. 00:13:08.108 --> 00:13:12.248 Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast 00:13:12.248 --> 00:13:16.808 at the proper time to gain strength for their work not to get drunk. 00:13:17.828 --> 00:13:19.898 Laziness leads to a sagging roof. 00:13:20.468 --> 00:13:22.478 Idleness leads to a leaky house. 00:13:23.558 --> 00:13:28.538 A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness and money gives everything. 00:13:29.528 --> 00:13:32.558 Never make light of the king even in your thoughts. 00:13:33.098 --> 00:13:36.248 And don't make fun of the powerful even in your own bedroom. 00:13:37.118 --> 00:13:40.478 For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said. 00:13:41.678 --> 00:13:46.628 Send your grain across the seas and in time profits will flow back to you. 00:13:47.408 --> 00:13:51.188 But divide your investments among many places for you to not 00:13:51.188 --> 00:13:52.868 know what risks might lie ahead. 00:13:53.168 --> 00:13:57.968 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. 00:13:58.808 --> 00:14:03.668 Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. 00:14:04.478 --> 00:14:07.088 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. 00:14:07.988 --> 00:14:10.838 If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. 00:14:12.518 --> 00:14:16.928 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny 00:14:16.928 --> 00:14:18.878 baby growing in its mother's womb. 00:14:19.808 --> 00:14:24.428 So you cannot understand the activity of God who does all things. 00:14:25.658 --> 00:14:29.528 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon for you. 00:14:29.528 --> 00:14:32.588 Don't know if profit will come from one activity or another. 00:14:33.218 --> 00:14:34.328 Or maybe both. 00:14:35.618 --> 00:14:36.638 Light is sweet. 00:14:37.448 --> 00:14:43.088 How pleasant to see a new day Dawning when people live to be very old. 00:14:43.538 --> 00:14:48.458 Let them rejoice in every day of life, but let them also remember, 00:14:48.458 --> 00:14:50.078 there will be many dark days. 00:14:51.128 --> 00:14:56.828 Everything still to come as meaningless young people, it's wonderful to be young. 00:14:57.158 --> 00:14:58.538 Enjoy every minute of it. 00:14:59.498 --> 00:15:00.938 Do everything you want to do. 00:15:01.058 --> 00:15:02.158 Take it all in. 00:15:03.608 --> 00:15:07.328 But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 00:15:08.078 --> 00:15:11.258 So refuse to worry and keep your body healthy. 00:15:12.188 --> 00:15:17.858 But remember that youth with a whole life before you is meaningless. 00:15:19.478 --> 00:15:22.628 Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your creator. 00:15:23.318 --> 00:15:28.238 Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, life is not pleasant anymore. 00:15:29.573 --> 00:15:34.163 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim 00:15:34.163 --> 00:15:38.753 to your old eyes and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 00:15:39.803 --> 00:15:45.383 Remember him before your legs, the guards of your house start to tremble and before 00:15:45.383 --> 00:15:48.863 your shoulders, the strong men stoop. 00:15:49.703 --> 00:15:51.413 Remember him before your teeth. 00:15:51.713 --> 00:15:54.743 Your few remaining servants stop grinding. 00:15:55.208 --> 00:15:59.918 And before your eyes, the women looking through the windows see dimly. 00:16:01.178 --> 00:16:04.688 Remember him before the door to life's opportunities is closed 00:16:05.018 --> 00:16:07.028 and the sound of work fades. 00:16:08.198 --> 00:16:12.458 Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all 00:16:12.463 --> 00:16:14.048 their sounds will grow faint. 00:16:15.618 --> 00:16:19.478 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry 00:16:19.478 --> 00:16:21.158 about danger in the streets. 00:16:22.028 --> 00:16:27.068 Before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag 00:16:27.068 --> 00:16:31.568 along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caper berry 00:16:31.568 --> 00:16:33.908 no longer inspires sexual desire. 00:16:35.138 --> 00:16:40.088 Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home when the 00:16:40.088 --> 00:16:41.978 mourners will weep at your funeral. 00:16:43.358 --> 00:16:43.988 Yes. 00:16:44.348 --> 00:16:47.768 Remember your creator now while you are young. 00:16:48.383 --> 00:16:52.943 Before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden Bowl is 00:16:52.943 --> 00:16:57.833 broken, don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and 00:16:57.833 --> 00:16:59.603 the pulley is broken at the well. 00:17:00.323 --> 00:17:03.983 For then the dust will return to the earth and the spirit 00:17:03.988 --> 00:17:05.753 will return to God who gave it. 00:17:06.773 --> 00:17:08.213 Everything is meaningless. 00:17:08.543 --> 00:17:12.053 Says the teacher completely meaningless. 00:17:13.613 --> 00:17:14.633 Keep this in mind. 00:17:15.503 --> 00:17:19.463 The teacher was considered wise and he taught the people everything he knew. 00:17:20.303 --> 00:17:24.683 He listened carefully to many Proverbs studying and classifying them. 00:17:25.643 --> 00:17:29.153 The teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths. 00:17:29.158 --> 00:17:35.903 Clearly, the words of the wise are like cattle prods, painful but helpful. 00:17:36.743 --> 00:17:40.463 Their collected sayings are like a nail studded stick with which 00:17:40.463 --> 00:17:41.963 a shepherd drives the sheep. 00:17:42.713 --> 00:17:46.283 But my child, let me give you some further advice. 00:17:46.793 --> 00:17:48.323 Be careful for writing. 00:17:48.323 --> 00:17:51.653 Books is endless and much study wears you out. 00:17:53.093 --> 00:17:55.463 That's the whole story here. 00:17:55.463 --> 00:17:57.113 Now is my final conclusion. 00:17:58.073 --> 00:18:02.093 Fear God and obey his commands for this is everyone's duty. 00:18:03.023 --> 00:18:07.433 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing. 00:18:07.973 --> 00:18:09.773 Whether good or bad, 00:18:14.123 --> 00:18:17.003 this concludes today's Immer Reading experience. 00:18:17.123 --> 00:18:18.353 Thank you for joining us.