Sacred Scripture · Old Testament

Ecclesiastes

12 Chapters · Douay-Rheims Bible · Old Testament

About This Book

This book is called Ecclesiastes, or The Preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth), because in it, Solomon, as an excellent preacher, setteth forth the vanity of the things of this world: to withdraw the hearts and affections of men from such empty toys. (For more information, see the article ECCLESIASTES in the Catholic Encyclopedia.)

Chapter Directory

  1. Chapter 1The vanity of all temporal things.
  2. Chapter 2The vanity of pleasures, riches, and worldly labours.
  3. Chapter 3All human things are liable to perpetual changes. We are to rest on God's providence, and cast away fruitless cares.
  4. Chapter 4Other instances of human miseries.
  5. Chapter 5Caution in words. Vows are to be paid. Riches are often pernicious: the moderate use of them is the gift of God.
  6. Chapter 6The misery of the covetous man.
  7. Chapter 7Prescriptions against worldly vanities: mortification, patience, and seeking wisdom.
  8. Chapter 8True wisdom is to observe God's commandments. The ways of God are unsearchable.
  9. Chapter 9Man knows not certainty that he is in God's grace. After death no more work or merit.
  10. Chapter 10Observations on wisdom and folly, ambition and detraction.
  11. Chapter 11Exhortation to works of mercy, while we have time, to diligence in good, and to the remembrance of death and judgment.
  12. Chapter 12The Creator is to be remembered in the days of our youth: all worldly things are vain: we should fear God and keep his commandments.

Edition Record

Book
Ecclesiastes
Translation
Douay-Rheims Bible
Old Testament
First published at Douay in 1609
New Testament
First published at Rheims in 1582
Revision and Notes
Bishop Richard Challoner, 1749
Historical Imprimatur
James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, 1 September 1899