Introduction

This collection of Reflections (commonly called Ecclesiastes), was written by a wise leader. Some of the proverbs here were written by King Shelomoh (Solomon), but there’s also proverbs from other writers. The authors of these thought carefully about the meaning of life. They looked at everything that happens here in the world (‘under the sun’) to discover its purpose and to try to understand the meaning of life. They advise that it’s necessary to respect and obey Yahweh, to strive to find happiness in our daily lives. (The meaning of Ecclesiastes is ‘The group leader’. The title commonly used in English is a Latin transliteration of the Greek translation of the Hebrew word קֹהֶלֶת.) In Hebrew texts, this document is grouped in with ‘The Writings (Ketuvim)’.

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.