He built towers in the wilderness and dug out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and right, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition If you see the oppression of the poor and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in the state or province, do not marvel at the matter. [Be sure that there are those who will attend to it] for a higher [official] than the high is observing, and higher ones are over them. American Standard Version (1901) If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they. Common English Bible If you witness the poor being oppressed or the violation of what is just and right in some territory, don’t be surprised because a high official watches over another, and yet others stand over them. Catholic Public Domain Version But finally, there is the King who rules over the entire earth, which is subject to him. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Moreover there is the king that reigneth over all the land subject to him. |
He built towers in the wilderness and dug out many cisterns, for he had large herds, both in the Shephelah and in the plain, and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil.
He gives them security, and they are supported; his eyes are upon their ways.
“Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan, I will now rise up,” says the Lord; “I will place them in the safety for which they long.”
Confuse, O Lord, confound their speech, for I see violence and strife in the city.
God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Let them know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.
Oppressing the poor in order to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich, will lead only to loss.
if you say, “Look, we did not know this”— does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it? And will he not repay all according to their deeds?
Moreover, I saw under the sun that, in the place of justice, wickedness was there, and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there as well.
Again I saw all the oppressions that are practiced under the sun. Look, the tears of the oppressed—with no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power—with no one to comfort them.
But all things considered, this is an advantage for a land: a king for a plowed field.
Surely oppression makes the wise foolish, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
All this I observed, applying my mind to all that is done under the sun, while one person exercises authority over another to the other’s hurt.
When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the arrogant boasting of the king of Assyria and his haughty pride.
What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor? says the Lord God of hosts.
Then the angel of the Lord set out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand in the camp of the Assyrians; when morning dawned, they were all dead bodies.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished garden; he expected justice but saw bloodshed; righteousness but heard a cry!
For thus says the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite.
As for his father, because he practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what is not good among his people, he died for his iniquity.
For I know how many are your transgressions and how great are your sins— you who afflict the righteous, who take a bribe and push aside the needy in the gate.
Do horses run on rocky crags? Does one plow the sea with oxen? But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,
The women of my people you drive out from their pleasant houses; from their young children you take away my glory forever.
Thus says the Lord of hosts: Even though it seems impossible to the remnant of this people in these days, should it also seem impossible to me, says the Lord of hosts?
Then I will draw near to you for judgment; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David.
The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
And immediately, because he had not given the glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For judgment will be without mercy to anyone who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.