Chiasm

Ecclesiastes 8:11–17

Ecclesiastes 8:11–177 matched frames

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

A 11-12a Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
- B 12b yet surely I know
  - C 12c-13 that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
    - D 14a There is a vanity which is done upon the earth;
      - E 14b that there be just men,
        F 14c unto whom it happeneth according to the work
        G 14d of the wicked;
        G' 14e again, there be wicked men,
        F' 14f to whom it happeneth according to the work
      - E' 14g of the righteous:
    - D' 14h I said that this also is vanity.
  - C' 15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
- B' 16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom,
A' 16-17 and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:) Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.