Study Desk

which I am still seeking but have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.

"Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."

But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten.

But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded.

Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left.

But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

"I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.

"Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me. My mother's sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

"On my bed night after night I sought him Whom my soul loves; I sought him but did not find him.

'I must arise now and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.' I sought him but did not find him.

"I was asleep but my heart was awake. A voice! My beloved was knocking: 'Open to me, my sister, my darling, My dove, my perfect one! For my head is drenched with dew, My locks with the damp of the night.'

"I opened to my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and had gone! My heart went out to him as he spoke. I searched for him but I did not find him; I called him but he did not answer me.

But my dove, my perfect one, is unique: She is her mother's only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying,

"If she is a wall, We will build on her a battlement of silver; But if she is a door, We will barricade her with planks of cedar."

Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, "Sons I have reared and brought up, But they have revolted against Me.

"An ox knows its owner, And a donkey its master's manger, But Israel does not know, My people do not understand."

"But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword." Truly, the mouth of the LORD has spoken.