Bible passages

Proverbs 29:1–27

The Flourishing of the Righteous

Proverbs 29 gathers short wisdom sayings about correction, rulers, speech, anger, justice and trust in Yahweh.

Proverbs 30:1–33

The Words of Agur

Proverbs 30:1–33 presents Agur’s words as wisdom and dialogue. He speaks humbly about his limits, honours God’s flawless word, asks for truth and daily provision, and gathers sayings that expose pride, greed and stirred-up anger.

Proverbs 31:1–9

The Sayings for King Lemuel

Proverbs 31:1–9 presents a mother’s teaching to King Lemuel. The passage speaks as wisdom and direct instruction, warning a ruler about destructive habits and urging him to use his words and judgement to protect vulnerable people.

Proverbs 31:10–31

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

Proverbs 31:10–31 is a wisdom poem praising a worthy woman. It describes her character, work, care for others and reverence for Yahweh, showing that lasting honour is tied to faithful living rather than outward appearance.

Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

Everything Is Futile

Ecclesiastes 1:1–11 opens with a voice called the Preacher and sets out a hard question about work, time and what lasts.

Ecclesiastes 1:12–18

With Wisdom Comes Sorrow

In this passage, the Preacher describes his careful search for wisdom. As he observes what people do under the sun, he reaches a sobering conclusion about life, limits, and the sorrow that can come with increased knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 2:1–11

The Futility of Pleasure

The speaker tests whether pleasure, laughter, achievement and possessions can give lasting gain.

Ecclesiastes 2:12–17

The Wise and the Foolish

This passage weighs wisdom against folly and reaches a troubling conclusion. Wisdom is better, yet both the wise and the fool face the same end.

Ecclesiastes 2:18–26

The Futility of Work

Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 wrestles honestly with work, achievement, and enjoyment. The speaker sees a painful problem: people can labour wisely and skilfully, yet still leave the results to someone else.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–8

To Everything There Is a Season

This wisdom poem says life does not stay the same. By listing opposite experiences, it teaches that human life under heaven includes different seasons and fitting times.

Ecclesiastes 3:9–15

God’s Works Remain Forever

These verses begin with a hard question about what people gain from their work, then turn to what God does.

Ecclesiastes 3:16–22

From Dust to Dust

This passage faces two hard realities at once: injustice in human life and death shared by humans and animals.

Ecclesiastes 4:1–12

The Evil of Oppression

Ecclesiastes 4:1–12 reflects on painful realities under the sun. The speaker observes oppression, labour and achievement linked with a neighbour’s envy, restless work and loneliness, then contrasts them with the practical strength of shared life.

Ecclesiastes 4:13–16

The Futility of Power

This short wisdom passage compares a poor wise youth with an old foolish king, then reflects on changing public support.

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

Approaching God with Awe

Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 gives wisdom for approaching God with care. It warns against empty religious action, rash speech, and careless vows, and it urges a response marked by listening, few words, and fear of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:8–20

The Futility of Wealth

Ecclesiastes 5:8–20 reflects on injustice, money, work, loss and enjoyment. The passage does not praise wealth as the answer to life.

Ecclesiastes 6:1–12

The Futility of Life

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 describes hard limits in human life. Riches, long years, labour, and many words do not automatically bring enjoyment, profit, or clear answers about what is truly good for a person.

Ecclesiastes 7:1–14

The Value of Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:1–14 gathers wise sayings that challenge easy assumptions. The passage values mourning over feasting, rebuke over foolish entertainment, patience over pride, and thoughtful attention to God’s work over careless reactions.

Ecclesiastes 7:15–29

The Limits of Human Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 7:15–29 faces troubling facts about life, then tests what wisdom can really discover.

Ecclesiastes 8:1–9

Obey the King

Ecclesiastes 8:1–9 reflects on wisdom, authority and human limits. The passage speaks carefully about keeping a king’s command while also noticing hardship, uncertainty and the damage that power can do.

Ecclesiastes 8:10–13

Fear God

This passage names something hard to watch: wicked people are buried and forgotten, evil is not judged quickly, and sinners may seem to go on for a long time.

Ecclesiastes 8:14–17

God’s Ways Are Mysterious

This passage faces a hard question about life: why do outcomes sometimes seem backwards? It also shows a careful limit.

Ecclesiastes 9:1–6

Death Comes to Good and Bad

Ecclesiastes 9:1–6 speaks plainly about a hard reality. It says both good and bad people die, while also insisting that the righteous, the wise, and their works are in the hand of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:7–12

Enjoy Your Portion in This Life

This wisdom passage encourages thankful enjoyment of ordinary gifts while remembering that life is limited and often unpredictable.