Under the Sun Ecclesiastes 傳道書 2:1-11

2 Attitudes / Philosophy 1) Work Hard  Earn Money  Enjoy Later in Life 先苦後甘 2) Play Hard  Find Pleasure 及時行樂，今朝有酒今朝醉 Pix taken from: http://www.stpaulmuskego.org/2013/07/life-under-the-sun/

Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:2-3 2 傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。3 人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有甚麼益處呢？ (和合本) 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (NASB)

Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:2-3 2 傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。3 人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有甚麼益處呢？ (和合本) 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (NASB) 虛空 Vanity : hebel – Not emptiness 不是只有虛空的意思 Vapor / Breath / Smoke 蒸汽、氣息、煙 =抓不著、短暫的、不容易明白的 Temporary, hard to grasp , hard to understand

Circles By Ten Years Later

Life is going around in circles Wonder will it ever end Life is going around in circles Wonder will it ever end? If I die, baby, will you miss me Or just find another friend? Does it matter what I do? Live life right or bear a grudge? Does it matter what I do Is there anyone to judge?

I have been to many places I have journeyed through the mind Though I've found some different faces Another answer I can't find: Does it matter what I do? Is there anyone to say? Does it matter what I do? Is there any other way?

I have got what I once dreamed of As a child, so long ago But my life just goes in circles 'Cause one answer I don't know: Does it matter what I do? Who will hear me if I cry? Does it matter what I do? Does it matter if I die?

2 Attitudes / Philosophy 1) Work Hard  Earn Money  Enjoy Later in Life 先苦後甘 2) Play Hard  Find Pleasure 及時行樂，今朝有酒今朝醉 Vanity 空的、抓不住的 Pix taken from: http://www.themarkeworld.com/san-francisco/bliss-under-the-sun/

傳道書 Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 1我心裡說：「來吧，我以喜樂(享樂)試試你，你好享福！」誰知，這也是虛空。 2 我指嬉笑說：「這是狂妄。」論喜樂(享樂)說：「有何功效呢？」 3 我心裡察究，如何用酒使我肉體舒暢，我心卻仍以智慧引導我；又如何持住愚昧，等我看明世人，在天下一生當行何事為美。 1I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility. 2 I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?” 3 I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives.

Negative: Pursuing Pleasure Is Also Vanity 人生消極面：追尋享樂也是空 Pix taken from: http://www.themarkeworld.com/san-francisco/bliss-under-the-sun/

List 5 Things that give you Pleasure: Pix taken from: http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Poetical/Ecclesiastes/Ecclesiastes02.1-11_Pleasure.html /

2:3-8 3我心裡察究，如何用酒使我肉體舒暢，我心卻仍以智慧引導我；又如何持住愚昧，等我看明世人，在天下一生當行何事為美。 4 我為自己動大工程，建造房屋，栽種葡萄園，5修造園囿，在其中栽種各樣果木樹； 6 挖造水池，用以澆灌嫩小的樹木. 7我買了僕婢，也有生在家中的僕婢；又有許多牛群羊群，勝過以前在耶路撒冷眾人所有的. 8 我又為自己積蓄金銀和君王的財寶，並各省的財寶；又得唱歌的男女和世人所喜愛的物，並許多的妃嬪。 3 I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6 I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.

傳道書 Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 9 這樣，我就日見昌盛，勝過以前在耶路撒冷的眾人。我的智慧仍然存留。 10 凡我眼所求的，我沒有留下不給它的；我心所樂的，我沒有禁止不享受的；因我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂，這就是我從勞碌中所得的分。 11 後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。 9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

傳道書 Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 9 這樣，我就日見昌盛，勝過以前在耶路撒冷的眾人。我的智慧仍然存留。 10 凡我眼所求的，我沒有留下不給它的；我心所樂的，我沒有禁止不享受的；因我的心為我一切所勞碌的快樂，這就是我從勞碌中所得的分。 11 後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。 9 Then I became great and increased more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also stood by me. 10 All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. 11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

傳道書 Ecclesiastes 2:1 &11 1我心裡說：「來吧，我以喜樂試試你，你好享福！」誰 知，這也是虛空。 1I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility (in vain). 11 後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。 11 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun. 傳道書 Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。 人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有甚麼益處呢？ “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”  What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun?

2 Attitudes / Philosophy 1) Work Hard  Earn Money  Enjoy Later in Life 先苦後甘 2) Play Hard  Find Pleasure 及時行樂，今朝有酒今朝醉 Vanity 空的、抓不住的 Vanity 空的、抓不住的 Pix taken from: http://www.themarkeworld.com/san-francisco/bliss-under-the-sun/

Negative: Pursuing Pleasure Is Also Vanity 人生消極面：追尋享樂也是空   2. Positive: Above the Sun is Meaningful 人生積極面：太陽之上不是空 Pix taken from: http://www.tolleetlege.com/meditations/the-word-that-cannot-fail-john-1/

1:3 人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有甚麼益處呢？  What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? 1:9 已有的事後必再有；已行的事後必再行。日光之下並無新事。That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. 1:14 我見日光之下所做的一切事，都是虛空，都是捕風。I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. 2:11 後來，我察看我手所經營的一切事和我勞碌所成的功。誰知都是虛空，都是捕風；在日光之下毫無益處。 Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.

“apart from God” / worldly 若在沒有神的世界裡 日光之下 under the sun = “apart from God” / worldly 若在沒有神的世界裡   2. Positive: Above the Sun is Meaningful 人生積極面：太陽之上不是空

Eccl. 1:9 已有的事後必再有;已行的事後必再行 Eccl. 1:9 已有的事後必再有;已行的事後必再行.日光之下並無新事。That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Revelation啟示錄21:3-5 3 我聽見有大聲音從寶座出來說：「看哪， 神的帳幕在人間. 他要與人同住，他們要作他的子民神. 要親自與他們同在，作他們的　神. 4 神要擦去他們一切的眼淚；不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭號、疼痛，因為以前的事都過去了.」 5 坐寶座的說:「看哪，我將一切都更新了！」3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”

Eccl 傳道書1:3 人一切的勞碌, 就是他在日光之下的勞碌, 有甚麼益處呢？   What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? I Corinthians 哥林多前書 15:58 所以，我親愛的弟兄們，你們務要堅固，不可搖動，常常竭力多做主工； 因為知道，你們的勞苦在主裡面不是徒然的。 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Eccl 傳道書 2:23-26 24 人莫強如吃喝，且在勞碌中享福，我看這也是出於　神的手。 25 論到吃用、享福，誰能勝過我呢？ 26 　神喜悅誰，就給誰智慧、知識，和喜樂；惟有罪人，　神使他勞苦，叫他將所收聚的、所堆積的歸給　神所喜悅的人。這也是虛空，也是捕風。 24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? 26 For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

2:3-8 3我心裡察究，如何用酒使我肉體舒暢，我心卻仍以智慧引導我；又如何持住愚昧，等我看明世人，在天下一生當行何事為美。 4 我為自己動大工程，建造房屋，栽種葡萄園，5修造園囿，在其中栽種各樣果木樹； 6 挖造水池，用以澆灌嫩小的樹木. 7我買了僕婢，也有生在家中的僕婢；又有許多牛群羊群，勝過以前在耶路撒冷眾人所有的. 8 我又為自己積蓄金銀和君王的財寶，並各省的財寶；又得唱歌的男女和世人所喜愛的物，並許多的妃嬪。 3 I explored with my mind how to stimulate my body with wine while my mind was guiding me wisely, and how to take hold of folly, until I could see what good there is for the sons of men to do under heaven the few years of their lives. 4 I enlarged my works: I built houses for myself, I planted vineyards for myself; 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees; 6 I made ponds of water for myself from which to irrigate a forest of growing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and I had homeborn slaves. Also I possessed flocks and herds larger than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. 8 Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of men—many concubines.

Pursue Pleasure: Under Biblical Moral Guidance 不違背聖經的道德標準 Psalm 詩篇 128:1-2 凡敬畏耶和華、遵行他道的人便為有福！ 你要吃勞碌得來的；你要享福，事情順利。 How blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways.  When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you.

Pursue Pleasure: Under Biblical Moral Guidance 不違背聖經的道德標準 2. Self-Control – Take Priority in Relationship w/ God. 節制 ─ 與上帝的關係還是最重要 I Cor 哥林多前書 10:31 所以，你們或吃或喝，無論做甚麼，都要為榮耀　神而行。  Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Pursue Pleasure: Under Biblical Moral Guidance 不違背聖經的道德標準 Self-Control – Take Priority in Relationship w/ God. 節制 ─ 與上帝的關係還是最重要 Pleasure is more meaningful and lasting when it’s rooted in Characters associated with God: Peace, Love, Kindness, Intimacy, Honesty. 享樂有更多、更深的意義如果是作與上帝良善屬性相關的事，如：愛的關係、和平、良善、誠實

Pursue Pleasure: Under Biblical Moral Guidance 不違背聖經的道德標準 Self-Control – Take Priority in Relationship w/ God. 節制 ─ 與上帝的關係還是最重要 Pleasure is more meaningful and lasting when it’s rooted in Characters associated with God: Peace, Love, Kindness, Intimacy, Honesty. 享樂有更多、更深的意義如果是作與上帝良善屬性相關的事，如：愛的關係、和平、良善、誠實 Give Thanks to God for everything you are enjoying. 凡事謝恩 Eccl. 3:13並且人人吃喝，在他一切勞碌中享福，這也是　神的恩賜 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.

2 Attitudes / Philosophy 1) Work Hard  Earn Money  Enjoy Later in Life 先苦後甘 2) Play Hard  Find Pleasure 及時行樂，今朝有酒今朝醉 Vanity 空的、抓不住的 In God – Work can be Meaningful Vanity 空的、抓不住的 In God – Pleasure can be Meaningful Pix taken from: http://www.themarkeworld.com/san-francisco/bliss-under-the-sun/

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Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:1-2 1在耶路撒冷作王、大衛的兒子、傳道者的言語。 2 傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。(和合本) 1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (NASB)

Ecclesiastes 傳道書 1:2-3 2 傳道者說：虛空的虛空，虛空的虛空，凡事都是虛空。3 人一切的勞碌，就是他在日光之下的勞碌，有甚麼益處呢？ (和合本) 2 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” 3 What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (NASB)