Chiasm

Ecclesiastes 5:16–6:4

Ecclesiastes 5:16–6:45 matched frames1 pivot

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

A 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?
- B 17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
  - C 18a Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun
    - D 18b all the days of his life,
      - E 18c which God giveth him:
        F 18d for it is his portion. (CENTER)
      - E' 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
    - D' 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
  - C' 1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
- B' 2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
A' 3-4 If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.