# Ecclesiastes 04 đź“–
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
[[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
[[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
[[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
[[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts]]
[[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
[[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Evil Oppression on Earth
4 So I again considered all the oppression that continually occurson earth.
This is what I saw:
The oppressed were in tears, but no one was comforting them;
no one delivers them from the power of their oppressors.
2 So I considered those who are dead and gone
more fortunate than those who are still alive.
3Â But better than both is the one who has not been born
and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth.
### Labor Motivated by Envy
4 Then I considered all the skillful work that is done:
Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another.
This also is profitless—like chasing the wind.
5Â The fool folds his hands and does no work,
so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.
6Â Better is one handful with some rest
than two hands full of toil and chasing the wind.
### Labor Motivated by Greed
7 So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
8Â A man who is all alone with no companion,
he has no children nor siblings;
yet there is no end to all his toil,
and he is never satisfied with riches.
He laments, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?”
This also is futile and a burdensome task!
### Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared
9Â Two people are better than one,
because they can reap more benefit from their labor.
10Â For if they fall, one will help his companion up,
but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.
11Â Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm,
but how can one person keep warm by himself?
12 Although an assailant may overpower one person,
two can withstand him.
Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.
### Labor Motivated by Prestige Seeking
13Â A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king
who no longer knows how to receive advice.
14 For he came out of prison to become king,
even though he had been born poor in what would become hiskingdom.
15Â I considered all the living who walk on earth,
as well as the successor who would arise in his place.
16 There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations,
yet future generations will not rejoice in him.
This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.
## ==đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary==
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write something for each verse
Each verse is important.
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## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write down things that are not straight from commentary but interesting facts that ground the text in history.
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## 🧠Chapter Summary
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write a short paragraph (3–5 sentences) summarizing what happens in this chapter.
- What is the main event or teaching?
- How does this chapter fit the book’s overall story?
- What stands out immediately?
Anything Apologetic to point out?
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## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
- đź“Ś Observation 1
- đź“Ś Observation 2
- đź“Ś Observation 3
- (Add more as needed.)
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#### Today, I can apply this chapter by:
- âś… Application 1
- âś… Application 2
Make these very practical:
- "Trust God's timing in an uncertain situation."
- "Speak truth even when it’s unpopular."
Think:
- What do we learn about God here?
- What do we learn about people?
- Are there promises, commands, or warnings?
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## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
- 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of important verse."
- 📖 [Verse Reference] – "Quote of another important verse."
(You can link to deeper notes if you want later.)
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## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— coming soon.
- đź”— coming soon.
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Examples:
- John 1:1 and Genesis 1
- Romans 5 and Genesis 3
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## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
- coming soon.
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PRIVATE NOTES (only I see this)
Write 3–6 sentences reflecting on:
- How this chapter encourages your faith,
- Convicts your heart,
- Reveals God's character.
Optional format: "In light of this chapter, I am challenged to..." or "I am comforted by..."
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##### đź“‚ Internal Links/Personal Notes