Chiasm

Ecclesiastes 8:9–14

Ecclesiastes 8:9–143 matched frames1 pivot

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

A 9 All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt. 10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. 11 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.
- B 12a Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
  - C 12b yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God,
    - D 12c which fear before him:
  - C' 13a But it shall not be well with the wicked,
- B' 13b neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
A' 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.