And measures and matters of The Truth of the "time" we are in ...how "man" ..."thought to change time and times ... ...vanity... vanity ...
...vanity ...vanity ...
...vanity...vanity...
...vanity...
Dearly beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, how that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand year, and a thousand year as one day. The Lord is not slack to fulfil his promise, as some men count slackness: but is patient to us ward, and would have no man lost, but would receive all men to repentance. creteis@yahoo.com Behold in a nightmare of the dark season ...of the times and time ..of the season of man ...see son of man ...
and i was shown a man ..and the man was sitting ...thinking ...of all his life ...
even all that had been ...all that was going on ....
even all of everything that might come of his life ...
even every each thing ...according to his own thinking ...was he thinking about ...
and from the most important to him according to his thinking ..to the least important ...not worth it ...to him ...to think about ...
again all of all every each thing ...whatsoever was ...is ...or going to be ...even those things hoped for ...
all ...were shown before the man ...in and within him ...
even his heart... for all things ...done ...a doing ...or might be done ...or even hoped to get done ...within ...within his time ...
all was shown of him ...in him ...for him ...
and i prayed ...after awaking ...and wondered ...whether to record the nightmare or not ...
and as i was getting ...clean fresh water ...(for God and Christy have provided clean fresh worthy water for my house ) ...
nevertheless as i was getting water to quench the thirst of my creatures ...
the Lord spoke to me ...giving me reason to record ...
and he said "vanity ...vanity ...vanity ..."
and i looked to the scriptures
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 1
These are the words of the Preacher, the son of David, king of Jerusalem. all is but vanity ( saith the Preacher ) all is but plain vanity. For what else hath a man, of all the labor that he hath taketh under the Sun? One generation passeth away, another cometh, but the earth abideth still. The *Son ariseth, the Sun goeth down, and returneth to his place, that he may there riseth up again. The wind goeth toward the South, and fetcheth his compass about unto the North, and so turneth in to himself again. All floods run into the sea, and yet the sea is not filled: for look unto what place the waters run, thence they come again. All things are so hard, that no man can express them. The eye is not satisfied with sight, the ear is not filled with hearing. The thing that hath been cometh to pass again: there is no new thing under the Sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said: Lo, this is new? For it was long ago in the times that have been before us. The thing that is past, is out of remembrance: Even so the things that are for to come, shall no more be thought upon among them that come after. I myself the Preacher, being King of Israel and Jerusalem, applied my mind to seek out and search for the knowledge of all things that are done under heaven. Such travail and labor hath God given to the children of men, to exercise themselves therin. Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass under the Sun, and, lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind. The crooked man cannot be made straight, and the faults cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying: Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom, than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem. Yee, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge, for there unto I applied my mind: that I might know what were wisdom and understanding, what were error and foolishness. And I perceived that this also was but a vexation of mind: For where much wisdom is, there is also great travail and disquietness: and the more knowledge a man hath, the more is his care.
*Son cap S and : son the above is exactly as it appears in the text. The writers were well aware of the different spellings for the word Son or Sun which were written Sonne for Son and Sunne for Sun. RN
THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS Chpt 17
And the Lord testified to Israel and to Juda, by all the prophets and by all the sears, saying: Turn from your wicked ways and keep my commandments and mine ordinances according to all the laws which I commanded your fathers, and as I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the necks of their fathers that did not believe the Lord their God. And they refused his ordinances and his appointment that he had made with their fathers, and the witness which he had witnessed to them and followed vanity and became vain, like to the heathen that were round about them, of which the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them. But they left the commandments of the Lord their God and made them Images of metal, even two calves: and made groves and bowed themselves unto all the Host of heaven, and served Baal. And they sacrificed their sons and their daughters in fire, and used witchcraft and enchantments, and were sold to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, for to anger him.
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite and said unto him: If we begin to commune with thee peradventure thou wilt be discontent, but who can withhold himself from speaking? Behold, thou hast been a teacher of many, and hast comforted the weary hands.
Thy words have set up those that were fallen, thou hast refreshed the weak knees. But now that the plague is come upon thee, thou shrinkest away: now that it hath touched thy self, thou art faint hearted. Is not this thy fear, thy steadfastness, thy patience, and the perfectness of thy ways? Consider (I pray thee) who ever perished being innocent? Or, when were the godly destroyed? As I have seen them that plow vanity and sow malice reap the same. With the blast of God did they perish, and by the breath of his anger consumed they away. The roaring of the lion, the voice of the lioness, and the teeth of the lions whelps are broken. The lion perisheth, for lack of prey and the lions whelps are scattered abroad.
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said: Should not he that maketh many words, be answered? Should he that bableth much, be commended therein? Should men give ear unto thee only? Thou wilt laugh other men to scorn, and shall nobody mock thee again? Wilt thou say unto God: The thing that I take in hand is perfect, and I am clean in thy sight? O' that God would speak, and open his lips against thee, that he might show thee ( out of his secrete wisdom ) how many fold his law is: then shouldest thou know, that God had forgotten the, because of thy sins.
Wilt thou find out God with thy seeking? Wilt thou attain to the perfectness of the Almighty? He is higher than heaven, what wilt thou do? Deeper than hell, how wilt thou then know him? His length exceedeth the length of the earth, and his breadth the breadth of the sea. Though he turn all things upside down, close them in, or thrust them together, who dare check him therefore?
For it is he that knoweth the vanity of men: he seeth their wickedness also, should he not then consider it? A vain body exalteth himself, and the son of man is like a wild asses foal. If thou haddest now a right heart, and lifted up thine hands toward him: if thou would putest away the wickedness which thou hast in hand, so that no ungodliness dwelt in thy house: Then mightest thou lift up thy face without shame, then shouldest thou be sure, and have no need to fear.
Then shouldest thou forget thy misery, and think no more upon it, than upon the waters that run by. Then should thy life be as clear as the noon day, and spring forth as the morning. Then mightest thou have comfort , in the hope that thou hast: and sleep quietly, when thou art buried. Then shouldest thou take rest, and no man to make thee afraid, yee many one should set much by thee. As for the eyes of the ungodly, they shall be consumed, and not escape: their hope shall be misery and sorrow of mind.*Zophar = "sparrow" "Melek is father" or "my father is king" Abel Mizraim = "meadow of Egypt" field of copts (adversaries) to go early, depart early ,Naamathite = see Naamah "pleasantness"
Then answered *Eliphaz the Themanite, and said: Should a wise man answer as the silence of the wind, and fill his belly with the wind of the east?....
The ungodly despair all the days of their life, and the number of a tyrants years is unknown. And fearful found is ever in his ears, and when it is peace yet feareth he destruction: He believeth never to be delivered out of darkness, the sword is always before his eyes. When he goeth forth to get his living, he thinketh plainly, that the day of darkness is at hand. Sorrow and carefulness make him afraid, and compass him round about, like as it where a king with his host ready to the battle. For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and armed himself against the Almighty. He runneth proudly upon him, and with stiffneck fighteth he against him: where as he covereth his face with fatness, and maketh his body well liking. Therefore shall his dwelling be in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabits, but are become heaps of stones.
He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, ner increase upon the earth. He shall never come out of darkness, the flame shall dry up his branches, with the blast of the mouth of God shall he be taken away. He will never apply himself to faithfulness and truth, so sore is he deceived with vanity.
He shall perish, afore his time be worn out, and his hand shall not be green. He shall be plucked off as an untimely grape from the vine, and shall let his flower fall, as the olive doth. For the congregation of hypocrites is unfruitful, and the fire shall consume the houses of such, as are greedy to receive gifts. He conceives travail, he beareth mischief, and his body bringeth forth deceit.names from the Hebrew are: *Eliphaz = "my God is (fine) gold" Themanite = "southward" to destroy, to perish. *note this "living word" *fanctes = fancies, imaginations.
And Job proceeded a went forth in his communication saying: As truly as God liveth ( which hath taken away my power from me ) and the Almighty, that hath vexed my mind: My lips shall talk of no vanity, and my tongue shall speak no deceit, while my breath is in me, and as long as the wind ( that God hath given me ) is in my nostrils.
God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right. As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocency. My righteous dealings keep I fast, which I will not forsake: my heart shall not reprove me of my days. Therefore mine enemy shall be found as ungodly, and he that taketh part against me, as the unrighteous. What hope hath the hypocrite, though he have great good, and though God give him riches after his hearts desire? Doth God hear him the sooner, when he crieth unto him in his necessity? Hath he such pleasure and delight in the Almighty, that he dare call upon God? I will teach you in the name of God? and the thing that I have of the Almighty, will I not keep from you. Behold, ye stand in your own conceit, as though ye knew all things. Wherefore then do ye go about with such vain words saying: This is that portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that the Tyrants shall receive of the Almighty. If he get many children, they shall perish with the sword, and his posterity shall have scarceness of bread. Look whom he leaveth behind him, they shall die and be buried, and no man shall pity of his widows. Though he have as much money as the dust of the earth, and raiment as ready as the clay, he may well prepare it: but the godly shall put it upon him, and the innocent shall deal out the money. His house shall endure as the moth, and as a *booth that the watchman maketh. When the rich man dieth, he carrieth nothing with him: he is gone in the twinkling of an eye. Destruction taketh hold upon him as the water flood, and the tempest stealeth him away in the night season. A vehement wind carryeth him hence, and departeth: a storm plucketh him out of his place. It rusheth in upon him, and spareth him not, he may not escape the power thereof. Then clap men their hands at him, yee and jest of him, when they look upon his place.I made a covenant with mine eyes, that I would not look upon a damsel. For how great a portion shall I have of God from above? and what inheritance from the almighty from on high? As for the ungodly and he that joineth himself to the company of wicked doers shall not destruction and misery come upon him? Doth not he see my ways, and tell all my goings. If I have cleaved unto vanity, or if my feet have run to deceive: Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may see my innocency. If so be that I have withdrawn my foot out of the right way, if my heart hath followed mine eyesight, if I have stained or defiled mine hands: O' then is it reason that I sow, and another eat, yee that my generation and posterity be clean rooted out. If mine heart hath *lusted after my neighbors wife, or if I have laid wait at his door. O' then let my wife *be another mans harlot and let other lie with her. For this is a wickedness and sin, that is worthy to be punished, yee and a fire that utterly shall consume, and root out all my substance. Did I ever think scorn to do right unto my servants and maidens, when they had any matter against me. But seeing that God will sit in judgement what shall I do? And for so much as he will needs visit me, what answer shall I give him? He that did fashion me in my mothers womb, made he not him also? were we not both shaped alike in our mothers bodies? When the poor desireth anything at me, have I denied them? Have I caused the widow stand waiting for me in vain? Have I eaten my portion alone, that the fatherless hath had no part with me? For mercy grew up with me from my youth, and compassion from my mothers womb. Have I seen any man perish through nakedness and want of clothing? Or any poor man for lack of raiment, whose sides thanked me not, because he was warmed with the wool of my sheep?
Did I ever lifted up my hand to hurt the fatherless? Yee in the gates where I saw myself to be in authority: then let mine arm fall from my shoulder, and mine arm holes be broken from the joints. For I have ever feared the vengeance and punishment of God, and knew very well, that I was not able to bear his burden. Have I put my trust in gold? Or have I said to the finest gold of all: thou art my confidence? Have I rejoiced because my substance was great, and because my hand got so much? Did I ever greatly regard the rising of the *son? Or had I the going down of the moon in great reputation? Hath my heart meddled privately with any deceit? Or, did I ever kiss mine own hand? That were a wickedness worth to be punished, for then should I have denied the God that was above. Have I ever rejoiced at the hurt of mine enemy? Or was I ever glad, that any harm happened to him? Oh no . I never suffered my mouth to do such a sin, as to wish him evil. Yet they of mine own household say: who shall let us to have our belly full of his flesh? I have not suffered a stranger to lay without, but opened my doors unto him. Have I ever done any wicked deed where through I shamed myself before men: or any abomination, that I was *faine to hide it? For if I had feared any great multitude of people: or if I had been despised of the simple, O' then I should have been afraid. Thus I have quietly spent my life, and not gone out at the door. O' that I had one which did hear me. Lo, this is my cause. Let the almighty give me answer: and let him that is my contrary party , sue me with libel. Then shall I take it upon my shoulder, and as a garland about my head. I have told the number of my goings, and delivered them unto him as to a Prince. But if cause be that my land cry against me, or that the furrows thereof make any complaint: if I have eaten the fruits thereof unpaid for, yee if I have grieved any of the plowmen: then let thistles grow instead of my wheat, and thorns for my barley.
Here end the words of Job*lusted after my neighbors wife, (kjv and other "bibles of man" = been deceived by a woman)and also see: *be another mans harlot (kjv and other "bibles of man" = grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.) rising of the *son? ; this is son here recorded from the Original spelling soune.. elsewhere sun is spelled sunne . *faine (obliged / or willing)
Hear me when I call, O' God of my righteousness: thou that comfortest me in my trouble: have mercy upon me, and harken unto my prayer. O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme my honor? why have ye such pleasure in vanity, and seek after lies? Selah.
The words of the Lord are pure words: even as the silver, which from the earth is tried and purified seven times in fire.
Keep them therefore ( O' Lord ) and preserve us from this generation for ever. And why? when vanity and idleness getteth the overhand among the children of men, all are full of the ungodly.The earth is the Lords, and all that therin is: the compass of the world, and all that dwell therin. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and builded it upon the floods.
Who shall go up in to the hill of the Lord? Or, who shall remain in his holy place? Even he that hath innocent hands, and a clean heart: which lifteth not up his mind unto vanity, and swear not to deceive. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his savior.As for men they are but vain, men are deceitful: upon the weights they are altogether lighter than vanity it self. O' trust not in wrong or robbery, give not yourselves unto vanity: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
God spake once a word, twice have I heard the same, that power belongeth unto God.
That thou Lord art merciful, and that thou rewardest every man according to his works.Hear my law, O' my people, incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in parables, and speak of things of old. ...............He rained down manna upon them for to eat, and give them bread from heaven.
Then ate they angels food, for he sent them meat enough.
He caused the East wind to blow under heaven, and through his power he brought in the south wind. He made flesh to rain upon them as thick as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: He let it fall among their tents round about their habitations.
So they ate, and were filled, for he gave them their own desire.
And they were not disappointed of their lust.
But while their meat was yet in their mouths: the heavy wrath of God came upon them, slew the wealthiest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
For all this they sinned yet more, and believed not his wondrous works.
Therefore their days were consumed in vanity, and suddenly their years were gone.
When he slew them, they sought him, and turned them early unto God.
They thought then that God was their *succoure, and that the high God was their redeemer.
Nevertheless they did but flatter him with their mouths, and disassembled with him in their tongues. For their heart was not whole with him, neither continued they in his covenant.
But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds, and destroyed them not.
Teach me O' Lord the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end.
O' give me *understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yee I shall keep it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of thy commandments, for that is my desire.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn away mine eyes, lest they behold vanity, and quicken me in thy way.
O' stablish thy word in thy servant,** that I may fear thee.
Take away the rebuke that I am afraid of, for thy judgments are ***amiable.
Behold, my delight is in thy commandments, O' quicken me in thy righteousness.
Blessed be the Lord my refuge, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. My hope and my castle, my defense and my deliverer, my shield in whom I trust, *which governeth the people that is under me.
Lord, what is man, that thou hast such respect unto him? Or the son of man, that thou so regardest him? Man is like a thing of naught, his time passeth away like a shadow.
Bow thy heavens, O' Lord, and come down, touch the mountains, that they may smoke withal. Send forth lightning, and scatter them, shoot out thine arrows, and consume them. Send down thine hand from above, deliver me, and take me out of the great waters, from the hand of strange children. Whose mouth talketh of vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
That I may sing a new song unto thee, O' God, and sing praises unto thee upon a ten stringed lute. Thou that givest victory unto Kings, and hast delivered David thy servant from the peril of the sword.
Save me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth talketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
That our sons may grow up as the young plants, and that our daughters may be as the polished cornerstones of the temple. That our garners may be full and plenteous with all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and hundredth thousands in our villages. That our oxen may be strong to labor, that there be no mischance, no decay, and no complaining in the streets.
Happy are the people that be in such a case: yee blessed are the people, which have the Lord for their God.Give not the fool an answer after his foolishness, lest thou become like him: but make the fool an answer to his foolishness, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
He is lame of his feet, yee drunken is he in vanity, that committeth anything to a fool.
Two things I require of thee, that thou will not deny me before I die. Remove from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches, only grant me a necessary living. Lest I be so full, I deny thee, and say: What fellow is the Lord? And lest I being constrained through poverty, fall unto stealing, and foreswear the name of my God. Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he speak evil of thee also, and thou be hurt. He that bringeth up an evil report upon the generation of his father and mother, is not worthy to be commended.
The generation that think themselves clean, shall not be cleansed from their filthiness. There are people that have a proud look, and cast up their eyelids. This peoples teeth are swords, and their chaft bones they consume and devour the simple of the earth, and the poor from among men.
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 2
Then said I thus in mine heart: Now go to, I will take mine ease and have good days. But lo, that was vanity also: in so much as I said unto laughter: thou art mad, and to *mirth: What doest thou?
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 3
Every thing hath a time, yee all that is under the heaven, hath is convenient season. There is a time to be born, and a time to die. there is a time to plant, and a time to pluck up the thing, that is planted:
**A time to slay, and a time to make whole
A time to break down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh:
A time to mourn, and a time to dance:
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together:
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing:
A time to win, and a time to *lese:
A time to spare, and a time to spend:
A time to cut in pieces, and a time to sew together:
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak:
A time to love, and a time to hate:
A time of war, and a time of peace.
What hath a man else ( that doeth anything ) but weariness and labor? For as touching the travail and carefulness which God hath given unto men, I see that he hath given it them, to be exercised in it. All this hath he ordered marvelous goodly, to every thing his due time. He hath planted ignorance in the hearts of men, that they should not find out the ground of his works, which he doeth from beginning to the end. So I perceived, that in these things there is nothing better for a man, then to be merry and to do well so long as he liveth. For all that a man eateth and drinketh, yee whatsoever a man enjoyeth of all his labor, the same is a gift from God. I considered also that whatsoever God doeth, it continueth for ever, and that nothing can be put unto it, nor taken from it: And that God doeth it to the intent, that men should fear him. The thing that hath been, is now: and the thing that is for to come, hath been afore time, for God restoreth again the thing that was past. Moreover, I saw under the sun ungodliness in the stead of judgment, and iniquity in stead of righteousness. Then thought I in my mind: God shall separate the righteous from the ungodly, and then shall be the time of judgement of all counsels and works. I communed with mine own heart also concerning the children of men: how that God hath chosen them, and yet letteth them appear as though they were beasts: For it happeneth unto men as it doth unto beasts, and as one dieth, so dieth the other: yee they have both one manner of *birth, so that ( in this ) a man hath no preeminence above a beast, but all are subdued unto vanity. They go all unto one place, for as they all be of dust, so shall they all turn unto dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the *breath of the beast that goeth down into the earth? Wherefore I perceive, that there is nothing better for a man, than to be joyful in his labor, for that is his portion. But who will bring him to see the thing that shall come after him?THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 4
Again, I saw that all travail and diligence of labor was hated of every man. This is also a vain thing, and a vexation to the *mind. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth up his own flesh. One handful (sayeth he) is better with rest, then both hands full with labor and travail. Moreover, I turned me, and behold yet another vanity under the *Son.
There is one man, no more but himself alone, having neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of his careful travail, his eyes cannot be satisfied with riches, (yet doth he not remember himself, and say:) For whom do I take such travail? For whos pleasure do I thus consume away my life? This is also a vain and miserable thing. Therefore two are better than one, for they may well enjoy the profit for their labor. If one of them fall, his companion helpeth him up again: But woe is him that is alone, for if he fall, he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two sleep together, they are warm: but how can a body be warm alone? One may be overcome, but two may make resistance: A threefold cable is not lightly broken. A poor child being wise, is better than an old king, that doeth, and cannot beware in time to come. Someone cometh out of prison, and is made a king: and another which is born in the kingdom, cometh unto poverty. And I perceived, that all men living under the *Son, go with the second child, that cometh up instead of the other.*was no man to comfort them (kjv and other bibles of man =had no comforter: see Jesus speaking of the comforter of the new testament ) vexation to the *mind. (still in kjv and other bibles of man = spirit) *Son. (again, this is not a misprint = Son) Again backwards; vexation OF the *mind. (still in kjv and other bibles of man = spirit)
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 7
These two things also have I considered in the time of vanity: that the just man perisheth for his righteousness sake, and the ungodly liveth in his wickedness. Therefore be thou neither too righteous or over wise, that thou perish not: be neither too unrighteous also nor too foolish, lest thou die before thy time. It is good for thee to take hold of this, and not to let that go out of thy hand. For he that feareth God shall *escape them all.
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 8
Yet there is a vanity upon the earth: there be just men, unto whom it happeneth, as though they had the works of the ungodly: Again, there be ungodly, with whom it goeth as though they had the works of the righteous. This me think also a vain thing. Therefore I commend gladness, because a man hath no better thing under the *Son, than to eat and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall he have of his labor all the days of his life, which God giveth him under the *Son. When I applied mine mind to learn wisdom, and to *know the travail that is in the world: (and that of such fashion, that I suffered not my eyes to sleep neither day ner night ) I understood of all the works of God, that it is not impossible for a man, to attain unto works that are done under the *Son: and though he bestow his labor to seek them out, yet can he not reach unto them: yee though a wise man would undertake to know them, yet he might not find them.
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 9
For all these things purposed I in my mind to seek out. The righteous and wise, yee and their works also are in the hand of God: and there is no man that knoweth either the love or hate of the thing that he hath before him. It happeneth unto one as unto another: It goeth with the righteous as with the ungodly: with the good and clean as with the unclean: with him that offereth as with him that offereth not: like as goeth with the virtuous, so goeth it also with the sinner: As it happeneth unto the *perjured, so happeneth it also unto him that is afraid to be foresworn. Among all things that come to pass under the Son, this is a mystery, that it happeneth unto all alike. This is the cause also that men are full of wickedness and mad foolishness is in their hearts, as long as they live, until they die.
And why? As long as a man liveth, he is careless: for a quick dog (they say) is better than a dead lion: for they that be living, know that they shall die: but they that be dead, know nothing, neither deserve they anymore. For their memorial is forgotten, so they that be neither loved, hated ner envied: neither have they anymore part in the world, in all that is done under the Son. Go thy way then, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness, for thy works please God. Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head *want none ointment. Use thy self to live joyfully with thy wife whom thou lovest, all the days of the life, which is but vanity, that God hath given thee under the *Son, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, of all thy labor and travail that thou takest under the *Son. Whatsoever thou takest in thy hand to do, do that with all thy power: for among the dead, where thou goest unto, there is neither work, counsel, knowledge ner wisdom. *Son. (again, this is not a misprint = Son)
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 11
Cease not thou therefore with thy hands to sow thy seed, whether it be in the morning or in the evening: for then knowest not whether this or that shall prosper, and if they both take, it is better. The light is sweet, and a pleasant thing is it for the eyes to look upon the *Sun. If a man live many years, and be glad in them all, let him remember the days of darkness, which shall be many: And when they come, all things shall be but vanity. Be glad then ( O' thou young man ) in thy youth, and let thine heart be merry in thy young days: follow the ways of thine own heart, and the lust of thine eyes: but be thou sure, that God shall bring thee into judgment for all these things. *Sun: here is Sun as recorded in the original Sunne.
THE BOOK OF THE PREACHER Chpt 12
Put away displeasure out of thine heart, and remove evil from thy body: for childhood and youth is but vanity. Remember thy maker in thy youth, or ever the days of adversity come, and or the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: I have no pleasure in them before the sun, the light, the moon and stars be darkened, and or the clouds turn again after the rain: when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and when the strong men shall bow themselves: when the millers stand still, because they be so few, and when the sight of the windows shall wax dim: when the doors in the streets shall be shut, and when the voice of the miller shall be layed down: when men shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and when all the daughters of music shall be brought low: When men shall fear in high places, and be afraid in the streets: when the Almond tree shall *be despised the grasshopper born out, and when great poverty shall break in: when man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets. Or ever the silver lace be taken away, or the golden band broken: or the pot be broken at the well, and the wheel upon the cistern: Or dust be turned again unto the earth from whence it came, and the spirit return unto God, which gave it. All is but vanity ( saith the preacher ) all is but plain vanity.
The same preacher was not wise alone, but taught the people knowledge also: he gave good heed, sought out the ground and set forth many parables. His diligence was to find out acceptable words, right scripture, and the words of truth. For the words of the wise are like pricks and nails that go through, wherewith men are kept together: for they are given of one shepherd only. Therefore beware ( my son ) that above these thou make not many and innumerable books, nor take diverse doctrines in hand, to weary thy body withal.
Let us hear the conclusion of things: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for *that toucheth all men: For God shall judge all works and secret things, whether they be good, or evil.Then shall the furious people cease, and the mockers shall be put away, and all they that do wrong shall be plucked out, such as labor to draw men unto sin: and that deceive him, which reproveth them in the gate, and such as turn good persons to vanity. And therefore the Lord ( even the defender of Abraham ) sayeth thus unto the house of Jacob: Now shall not Jacob be ashamed, nor his face confounded, when he seeth among his children ( whom my hands have made ) such as hallow my name among them: that they may sanctify the holy one of Jacob, and fear the God of Israel. and that they which afore time were of an erroneous spirit, have now understanding, and that such as before could not speak, are now learned in my law.
In that day shall the Lord bind up the bruised sores of his people, and heal their wounds. Behold, the glory of the Lord shall come from far, his face shall burn, that no man shall be able to abide it, his lips shall wag for very indignation, and his tongue shall be as a consuming fire. His breath like a vehement flood of water, which goeth up to the throat. That he may take away the people, which have turned themselves to vanity, and the bridle of error, that lieth in other folks *chawes. But ye shall sing, as the use is in the night of the holy *solempnite. Ye shall rejoice from your heart, as they that come the pipe, when they go up to the mount of the Lord, unto the rock of Israel. The Lord also shall set up the power of his voice, and declare his terrible arm, with his angry countenance, yee and the flame of the consuming fire, with earthquake, tempest of wind, and hailstones. Then shall the Assyrians fear also because of the voice of the Lord, which shall smite him with the rod. And the same rod which the Lord will send upon him, shall move the whole foundation: with trumpet, with noise of war and battle to destroy. For he hath prepared the fire of pain since the beginning, yee even for Kings also. This hath he made deep and wide, the nourishing thereof is fire and wood innumerable which the breath of the Lord kindleth, as it were a match of brimstone. *chawes (jaws)
Who hath holden the waters in his fist? Who hath measured heaven with his span, and hath comprehended all the earth of the world in three fingers? Who hath weighed the mountains and the hills? Or who is of his counsel to teach him? And who hath he asked counsel, to make him understand, and to learn him the way of judgement: to teach him science: and to instruct him in the way of understanding. Behold, all people are in comparison of him, as a drop to a bucket full, and are counted as the least thing that the balance weigheth. Behold, the Isles are in comparison of him, as the shadow of the *son beam. Libanus is not sufficient to minister fire for his offering, and all the beasts thereof are not enough to one sacrifice. All people in comparison of him are reckoned as nothing, yee vain vanity and emptiness.
Hear the word of the Lord, that he speaketh unto thee, O thou house of Israel: Thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not learn after the manner of the Heathen, and ye shall not be afraid for the tokens of heaven: for the Heathen are afraid of such: yee all the customs and laws of the Gentiles are nothing, but vanity. They hew down a tree in the wood with the hands of the workman, and fashion it with the axe: they cover it over with gold or silver, they fasten it with nails and hammers, that it move not. It standeth as still as the palm tree, it can neither speak nor go, but must be borne. Be ye not afraid of such, for they can do neither good nor evil. But there is none like unto thee, O' Lord, and great is the name of thy power. Who would not fear thee? Or what king of the Gentiles would not obey thee?
For among all the wise men of the Gentiles, and in all their kingdoms, there is none that may be likened unto thee. They are all together unlearned and unwise. All their conning is but vanity: namely, wood, silver, which is brought out of Tharsis, and beaten to plates: and gold from Ophir, a work that is made with the hand of the craftsman and the caster, clothed with yellow silk and scarlet: even so is the work of their wise men altogether. But the Lord is a true God, a living God, and an everlasting king. If he be wroth, the earth shaketh: all the Gentiles may not abide his indignation.
As for their gods, it may well be said of them: they are gods, that made neither heaven ner earth: therefore shall they perish from the earth, and from all things under heaven. But ( as for our God ) he made the earth with his power, and with his wisdom hath he finished the whole compass of the world, with his discretion hath he spread out the heavens. At his voice the waters gather together in the air, he draweth up the clouds from the utmost parts of the earth: he turneth lighting to rain, and bringeth forth the winds out of their treasures: His wisdom maketh all men fools. And confounded be all the casters of images, for that they cast, is but a vain thing, and hath no life. The vain craftsmen with their works, that they in their vanity hath made, shall perish one with another in the time of visitation. Nevertheless, Jacobs portion is not such: but it is he, that hath made all things, and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of Hosts is his name. Put away thine uncleanness out of the land, thou that art in the strong cities. For thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will now thrust out the inhabitors of this land a great way off, and trouble them of such a fashion, that they shall no more be found.
Alas how am I hurt? Alas, how painful are my scourges unto me? For I consider this sorrow by myself, and I must suffer it. My tabernacle is destroyed, and all may coards are broken. My children are gone from me, and can no where be found. Now have I none to spread out my tent, or to set up my hangings. For the herdsmen have done foolishly, that they have not sought the Lord. Therefore have they dealt unwisely with their cattle, and all are scattered abroad. Behold, the noise is hard at hand, and the great sedition out of the north: to make the cities of Juda a wilderness, and a dwelling place for dragons. Now I know ( O' Lord ) that it is not in mans power to order his own ways, or to rule his own steps and goings. Therefore chasten thou us, O' Lord, but with favor and not in thy wrath, bring us not utterly to naught. Pour out thine indignation rather upon the Gentiles, that know thee not, and upon the people that call not on thy name: And that because they have consumed, devoured and destroyed Jacob, and have rooted out his glory.And the Lord said unto me: The prophets preach lies unto them in my name. I have not spoken with them, neither gave I them any charge, neither did I send them: yet they preach unto you false visions, charming vanity, and deceitfulness of their own heart. Therefore thus saith the Lord: As for those prophets that preach in my name, ( whom I nevertheless have not sent ) and that say: Tush, there shall neither battle, nor hunger be in this land: With sword and with hunger shall those prophets perish, and the people to whom they have preached shall be cast out of Jerusalem, die of hunger, and be slain with the sword ( and their shall be no man to bury them ) both they and their wives, their sons and their daughters. For thus will I pour their wickedness upon them. This shalt thou say also unto them: Mine eyes shall weep without ceasing day and night. For my people shall be destroyed with great harm, and shall perish with great plague. For if I go into the field, lo, it lieth full of slain men: If I come into the city, lo, they be all famished of hunger.
Wherefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will also upon your pillows, wherewith ye catch the souls in flying: them will I take from your arms, and let the souls go, that ye catch in flying. Your bolsters also will I tear in pieces, and deliver my people out of your hand: so that they shall come no more in your hands to be spoiled, and ye shall know, that I am the Lord. Seeing that with your lies you discomfort the heart of the righteous, whom I have not discomforted: Again: For so much as ye courage the hand of the wicked, so that he may not turn from his wicked way, and live: therefore shall ye spy out no more vanity, nor prophecy your own guessings: for I will deliver my people out of your hand, that ye may know, how that I am the Lord.
Nevertheless, as for the soothsaying, they shall hold it but for vanity, even as though a jest were told them: yee and they themselves remember their wickedness, so that by right they must be taken and *womne.Therefore saith the Lord God: for as much as ye yourselves show your offense, and have opened your wickedness, so that in all your works men may see your sins: yee in so much ( I say ) that ye yourselves have made mention thereof ye shall be taken by violence.
I have spoken through the prophets, and showed diverse visions, and declared myself by the ministration of the prophets. But at Galaad is the abomination, they are fallen to vanity. At Galgall they have slain oxen: and as many heaps of stones as they had in their land furrows, so many alters have they made. Jacob fled into the land of Syria, and Israell served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.
THE THIRD BOOK OF ESDRAS Chpt 3
Then began the first, ( which had spoken of the strength of wine ) and said: O ye men, wine is marvelous strong, and over cometh them that drink it: it decieveth the mind, and bringeth both the poor man and the King to *dotage and vanity. Thus doth it also the bondman and with the free, with the poor and rich: it taketh away then understanding, and make them careless and merry, so that none of them remembereth any heaviness, debt or duty: It causeth a man to think also that the thing which he doeth, is honest and good: and remembereth not that he is a King, nor that he is in authority, and that he ought not to do such things. Moreover, when men are drinking, they forget all friendship, all brotherly faithfulness and love: but as soon as they are drunken, they draw out the sword and will fight: and when they are layed down from the wine, and so risen up again, they can not tell what they did: judge ye now, is not wine the wine the strongest? For who would else take in hand to do such things? And when he had spoken this he held his tongue.
But unhappy are they, and among the dead is their hope, that call them Gods, which are but the works of mens hands: gold, silver, and the thing that is found out by conning, the similitude of beasts, or any vain stone that hath been made by hand of old. Or as when a carpenter cutteth down a tree out of the wood, and pareth the bark of it conningly: and so with the one part maketh a vessel to be used, and *dighteth meat with the residue. As for the other part that is left, which is profitable for nothing ( for it is a crooked piece of wood and full of knobs, he carveth it diligently through his vanity, and according to the knowledge of his conning ) he giveth it some proportion, fashioneth it after the similitude of a man, or maketh it like some beast, streak it over with red, and painteth it, and look what foul spot is in it he casteth some color upon it.
Then maketh he a convenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in the wall, and maketh it fast with iron, providing so for it, least it happen to fall: for it is well known, that it can not help itself: And why? it is but an image, and must of necessity be helped.
Then goeth he and offereth of his goods unto it, for his children and his wife: he seeketh help at it, he asketh counsel at it: he is not ashamed to speak unto it that hath no soul: for health, he maketh his petition unto him that is sick: for life, he prayeth unto him that is dead: he calleth upon him for help, that is not able to help himself: and to send him a good journey, he prayeth him that may not go. And in all the things that he taketh in hand ( whether it be to obtain anything or to work ) he prayeth unto him that can do no manner of good.For I suppose that the afflictions of this life, are not worthy of the glory which shall be showed upon us. Also the fervent desire of the creatures abideth looking when the sons of God shall appear, because the creatures are subdued to vanity against their will: but for his will which subdueth them in hope. For the very creatures shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that every creature groaneth with us also, and travaileth in pain even unto this time.
This I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in vanity of their mind, blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which is in God through the ignorancy that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts, which being past repentance, have given themselves unto wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness, even with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ, if so be ye have heard of him and are taught in him, even as the truth is in Jesu. So then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from you that old man, which is corrupt through the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after the image of God is shapen in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of another.
Beware lest any man come and spoil you through philosophy and deceitful vanity, through the traditions of men, and ordinances after the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are complete in him which is the head of all rule and power, in whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, by putting off the sinful body of the flesh through the circumcision that is in Christ, in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.
For there are many disobedient and talkers of vanity and deceivers of minds, namely they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, which pervert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not because of filthy lucre. One being of themselves, which was a poet of their own, said: The Cretans are always liars evil beasts, and slow bellies. This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith, and not taking heed to Jewes fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth. Unto the pure, are all things pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing pure: but even the very minds and consciences of them are defiled. They confess that they know God: but with the deeds they deny him, and are abominable and disobedient, and unto all good works *discommendable.
THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PETER Chpt 2
There were false Prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you: which privily shall bring in damnable sects, even denying the Lord that hath bought them, and bring upon themselves swift damnation, and many shall follow their damnable ways, by which the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and through covetousness shall they with *feigned words make merchandise of you, whose judgment is not far off, and their damnation sleepeth not.
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down into hell, and delivered them in chains of darkness, to be kept unto judgement: Neither spared the old world, but saved Noah the eight preacher of righteousness, and brought in the flood upon the world of the ungodly, and turned the cities of Zodom and Gomor into ashes: overthrew them, damned them, and made of them an example unto all that after should live ungodly. And just Lot vexed with the uncleanly conversation of the wicked, delivered he. For he being righteous and dwelling among them in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment for to be punished: namely them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise the rulers. Presumptuous are they, and stubborn and fear not to speak evil of them that are in authority. When the angels which are greater both in power and might, receive not of the Lord railing judgement against them. But these as brute beasts, naturally made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of that they know not, and shall perish through their own destruction, and receive the reward of unrighteousness.
They count it pleasure to live deliciously for a season. Spots they are and filthiness, living at pleasure, and in deceivable ways, feasting with you: having eyes full of *advoutry and that cannot cease to sin, beguiling unstable souls. Hearts they have exercised with covetousness. They are cursed children, and have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, which loved the reward of unrighteousness: but was rebuked of his iniquity. The tame and dumb beast, speaking with mans voice, forbade the foolishness of the Prophet.
These are wells without water and clouds carried about of a tempest, to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they have spoken the swelling words of vanity, they beguile with wantonness through the lusts of the flesh, them that were clean escaped: but now are wrapped in errors. They promise them liberty, and are themselves the bond servants of corruption. For of whom soever a man is overcome, unto the same is he in bondage. For if they, after they have escaped from the filthiness of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and of the saviour Jesus Christ, they are yet tangled again therein and overcome: then is the latter end worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them, not to have known the way of righteousness than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment given unto them. It is happened unto them according to the true proverb: The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.*feigned (made up, beguiling) *advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or without, devout: devotion; plain hearted to God, being devoted to something or some one else. see James 2 for adultery.
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