Queen's Road Cell

  8  If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9  But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields. 10  He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 11  When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes? 12  Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep. 13  There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, 14  and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. 15  As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for

  Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3  For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4  When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5  It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6  Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7  For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (Ecc 5:1-7)   1. What truths about God does Qoheleth use to encourage us to fear Him in this passage? (cf. 3:14 " God

1 I ncline your ear, O Lord, and answer me,     for I am poor and needy. 2  Preserve my life, for I am godly;     save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3  Be gracious to me, O Lord,     for to you do I cry all the day. 4  Gladden the soul of your servant,     for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5  For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,     abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. 6  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;     listen to my plea for grace. 7  In the day of my trouble I call upon you,     for you answer me.   8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,      nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come      and worship before you, O Lord,      and shall glorify your name. 10  For you are great and do wondrous things;      you alone are God. 11  Teach me your way, O Lord ,      that I may walk in your truth;      unite my heart to fear your name. 12  I give thanks to you, O Lord my

  9  Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11  Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12  And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13  Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14  For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15  I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youth who was to stand in the king's place. 16  There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.   1. a) What do verses 4:9-12 teach us about work and community?   Community and cooperation is es