Chiasm

Ecclesiastes 5:12–17

Ecclesiastes 5:12–173 matched frames1 pivot

Read down to the center, where the pattern turns; then rise back out through its mirror.

A 12 The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
- B 13-14 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
  - C 15a As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came,
    - D 15b and shall take nothing of his labour,
  - C' 15c which he may carry away in his hand.
- B' 16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
A' 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.