Ecclesiastes — Chapters

The Preacher observes the futility of human labor and wisdom amid the cyclical nature of life, concluding that all is vanity.

After building great works and seeking pleasure, the narrator concludes that all human effort under the sun is vain and that true enjoyment comes only from God.

Ecclesiastes 3 reminds readers that every activity has an appointed time, highlighting the certainty of death and the vanity of human effort while urging contentment in one’s work.

Ecclesiastes 4 reflects on the futility of labor and the injustices of oppression while emphasizing the value of companionship and wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 5 cautions against rash speech, foolish vows, and the vanity of wealth, urging reverence for God, prudence in promises, and contentment with what God gives.

Ecclesiastes 6 laments that wealth, long life, and even many children fail to provide lasting satisfaction, underscoring the vanity of human pursuits and the certainty of death.

Ecclesiastes 7 warns that wisdom, restraint, and a good name outweigh earthly pleasures, highlighting the unpredictability of justice and the necessity of humility before God.

The chapter explores the limits of human wisdom, the injustice of earthly power, and the futility of trying to control destiny, yet it also affirms the value of simple pleasures and the certainty of God's judgment.

Ecclesiastes 9 presents the inevitability of death and the limits of human control, while encouraging joy, gratitude, and wise living.

Ecclesiastes 10 cautions against folly, highlighting how wisdom and foolishness affect personal conduct and governance, and warns that small missteps can lead to great trouble.

Ecclesiastes 11 exhorts generosity, diligent work, and a sober recognition of mortality, urging readers to trust in God’s sovereignty while living wisely.

Ecclesiastes 12 warns of mortality and the futility of worldly pursuits, urging reverence for God and the pursuit of wisdom.