The Gospel of Thomas Compared To The Book of Ecclesiastes Two Books and Two Perspectives. Compare the words of Jesus to those of Solomon: Contrast The Experience of Emptiness and Vanity Without God With The Fulfilment of Following Jesus and Finding True Meaning Consider "The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem," Ecclesiastes 1:1. |
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The
Gospel of Thomas Translated By Mark M. Mattison |
The
Book of Ecclesiastes The Words of the Preacher KJV |
Prologue These are the hidden sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas wrote down. ( C.f. Both Didymos & Thomas mean "The Twin" or two from One) |
Introduction 1:1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. ( C.f. Jerusalem means "The city of peace," or the place two become One) |
Saying 1: True Meaning And he said, "Whoever discovers the meaning of these sayings won't taste death." |
No Meaning 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity. |
Saying 2: Seek and Find Jesus said, "Whoever seeks shouldn't stop until they find. When they find, they'll be disturbed. When they're disturbed, they'll be […] amazed, and reign over the All." |
Searching In Vain 1:3 What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun? 1:4 One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever. 1:5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth. |
Saying 3: Looking Within Jesus said, "If your leaders tell you, 'Look, the kingdom is in heaven,' then the birds of heaven will precede you. If they tell you, 'It's in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and outside of you. "When you know yourselves, then you'll be known, and you'll realize that you're the children of the living Father. But if you don't know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty." |
Looking Without 1:6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits. 1:7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again. 1:8 All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. |
Saying 4: First and Last Jesus said, "The older person won't hesitate to ask a little seven-day-old child about the place of life, and they'll live, because many who are first will be last, and they'll become one." |
Past and Future 1:9 That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 1:10 Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, |
Saying 5: Hidden and
Revealed Jesus said, "Know what's in front of your face, and what's hidden from you will be revealed to you, because there's nothing hidden that won't be revealed." |
Hidden and Forgotten in the ages which were before us. 1:11 There is no remembrance of the former [generations]; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter [generations] that are to come, among those that shall come after. |
Saying 6: The Wasted Efforts His disciples said to him, "Do you want us to fast? And how should we pray? Should we make donations? And what food should we avoid?" Jesus said, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because everything is revealed in the sight of heaven; for there's nothing hidden that won't be revealed, and nothing covered up that will stay secret." |
The Sore Travail 1:12 I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 1:13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Saying 7: The Blessed and Cursed Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion that's eaten by a human and then becomes human, but how awful for the human who's eaten by a lion, and the lion becomes human." |
The Crooked and Straight 1:15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. |
Saying 8:
Searching the Deep - Choosing
Bigger and Better
He said, "The human being is like a wise fisher who cast a net into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among them the wise fisher found a fine large fish and cast all the little fish back down into the sea, easily choosing the large fish. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!" |
Communing
With Mine Own Heart - Experiencing
Wisdom and Knowledge
1:16 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 1:17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind. |
Saying 9: Good Earth Is
Identified By The Growth of The Seed Jesus said, "Look, a sower went out, took a handful of seeds, and scattered them. Some fell on the roadside; the birds came and gathered them. Others fell on the rock; they didn't take root in the soil and ears of grain didn't rise toward heaven. Yet others fell on thorns; they choked the seeds and worms ate them. Finally, others fell on good soil; it produced fruit up toward heaven, some sixty times as much and some a hundred and twenty." ( C.f . Mark 4:16-20 ) |
My Heart Is Proven By Sorrow And
Mirth 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. 2:1 I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also was vanity. 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad; and of mirth, What doeth it? |
Saying 10: Observing The
Influence Jesus said, "I've cast fire on the world, and look, I'm watching over it until it blazes." ( C.f. Sending fire - Luke 12:49 ) |
Seeing The Effect 2:3 I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their life. |
Saying 11: Those Who Are Living
Won't Die Jesus said, "This heaven will disappear, and the one above it will disappear too. Those who are dead aren't alive, and those who are living won't die. In the days when you ate what was dead, you made it alive. When you're in the light, what will you do? On the day when you were one, you became divided. But when you become divided, what will you do?" |
The Dead Are Made Alive 2:4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; 2:5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit; 2:6 I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the forest where trees were reared; 2:7 I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; |
Saying 12: James The Just The disciples said to Jesus, "We know you're going to leave us. Who will lead us then?" Jesus said to them, "Wherever you are, you'll go to James the Just, for whom heaven and earth came into being." ( C.f. The Wisdom of James the Just as treasure and delight for the sons of men, rejoicing in heaven and earth - Proverbs 8:19, 21-23, 25, 27, 29, 31, James 1:5, 3:15-19 ) |
Leaders In Jerusalem also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem; 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I gat me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, musical instruments, and that of all sorts. |
Saying 13: The Master Says
Compare Me to Someone Jesus said to his disciples, "If you were to compare me to someone, who would you say I'm like?" Simon Peter said to him, "You're like a just angel." Matthew said to him, "You're like a wise philosopher." Thomas said to him, "Teacher, I'm completely unable to say whom you're like." Jesus said, "I'm not your teacher. Because you've drunk, you've become intoxicated by the bubbling spring I've measured out." He took him aside and told him three things. When Thomas returned to his companions, they asked, "What did Jesus say to you?" Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the things he said to me, you'll pick up stones and cast them at me, and fire will come out of the stones and burn you up." |
The King Says Wisdom Excels Folly 2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor; and this was my portion from all my labor. 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. 2:12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness, and folly: for what [can] the man [do] that cometh after the king? [even] that which hath been done long ago. 2:13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. |
Saying 14: Harm Your
Spirit - Out Of Your Mouth Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you'll bring guilt upon yourselves; and if you pray, you'll be condemned; and if you make donations, you'll harm your spirits. "If they welcome you when you enter any land and go around in the countryside, heal those who are sick among them and eat whatever they give you, because it's not what goes into your mouth that will defile you. What comes out of your mouth is what will defile you." |
Perceived In The Mind
- Spoken From The Heart 2:14 The wise man’s eyes are in his head, and the fool walketh in darkness: and yet I perceived that one event happeneth to them all. 2:15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then said I in my heart, that this also is vanity. 2:16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; |
Saying 15: Remember When You See
- Fall Down and Serve Jesus said, "When you see the one who wasn't born of a woman, fall down on your face and worship that person. That's your Father." |
Seeing
In Forgotten Days
- Work
Under The Sun seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. And how doth the wise man die even as the fool! 2:17 So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; |
Saying 16:
They
Don't Know They
Will Stand Up And Be One Jesus said, "Maybe people think that I've come to cast peace on the world, and they don't know that I've come to cast divisions on the earth: fire, sword, and war. Where there are five in a house, there'll be three against two and two against three, father against and son and son against father. They'll stand up and be one." |
Who
Knoweth Whether
He
Will Have Rule for all is vanity and a striving after wind. 2:18 And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 2:19 And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, |
Saying
17: A Divine Gift
Human Minds Never Considered Jesus said, "I'll give you what no eye has ever seen, no ear has ever heard, no hand has ever touched, and no human mind has ever thought." |
Vain
Labour Causing The Heart To Despair and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. 2:20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun. |
Saying 18:
Stand
Up In The Beginning And Know The End The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us about our end. How will it come?" Jesus said, "Have you discovered the beginning so that you can look for the end? Because the end will be where the beginning is. Blessed is the one who will stand up in the beginning. They'll know the end, and won't taste death." |
Labor
With Wisdom And With Knowledge 2:21 For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not labored therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil. 2:22 For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun? |
Saying 19: Blessed Is He Who
Knows - He Won't Taste Death Jesus said, "Blessed is the one who came into being before coming into being. If you become my disciples and listen to my message, these stones will become your servants; because there are five trees in paradise which don't change in summer or winter, and their leaves don't fall. Whoever knows them won't taste death." |
Enjoy The Fruits Of Your Labor - Eat And
Drink 2:23 For all his days are [but] sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. 2:24 There is nothing better for a man [than] that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. |
Saying
20: The
Kingdom Of God Is Like A
Mustard Seed The disciples asked Jesus, "Tell us, what can the kingdom of heaven be compared to?" He said to them, "It can be compared to a mustard seed. Though it's the smallest of all the seeds, when it falls on tilled soil it makes a plant so large that it shelters the birds of heaven." ( C.f. "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink," Romans 14:17 ) |
God
Gives Wisdom And Knowledge And Joy 2:25 For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? 2:26 For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Saying
21: What You're
Expecting Will Come So Prepare Mary said to Jesus, "Whom are your disciples like?" He said, "They're like little children living in a field which isn't theirs. When the owners of the field come, they'll say, 'Give our field back to us.' They'll strip naked in front of them to let them have it and give them their field. "So I say that if the owner of the house realizes the bandit is coming, they'll watch out beforehand and won't let the bandit break into the house of their domain and steal their possessions. You, then, watch out for the world! Prepare to defend yourself so that the bandits don't attack you, because what you're expecting will come. May there be a wise person among you! "When the fruit ripened, the reaper came quickly, sickle in hand, and harvested it. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!" |
A
Time For Every Purpose Under Heaven 3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 3:2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3:3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 3:4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 3:5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 3:6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 3:7 a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; |
Saying 22:
Make Two Into One -
Enter The Kingdom Jesus saw some little children nursing. He said to his disciples, "These nursing children can be compared to those who enter the kingdom." They said to him, "Then we'll enter the kingdom as little children?" Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one, and make the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper like the lower, and so make the male and the female a single one so that the male won't be male nor the female female; when you make eyes in the place of an eye, a hand in the place of a hand, a foot in the place of a foot, and an image in the place of an image; then you'll enter [the kingdom]." |
He
Hath Made Everything Beautiful In Its Time 3:8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 3:9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? 3:10 I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. 3:11 He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, |
Saying 23: Jesus Chooses Jesus said, "I'll choose you, one out of a thousand and two out of ten thousand, and they'll stand as a single one." |
We Labour and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. 3:14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: |
Saying 24: Light Exists And Will
Light Up The Whole World His disciples said, "Show us the place where you are, because we need to look for it." He said to them, "Anyone who has ears to hear should hear! Light exists within a person of light, and they light up the whole world. If they don't shine, there's darkness." |
It
Is
Hath Been And Is
To Be nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him. 3:15 That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away. |
Saying
25: Protect
Them Like The Pupil Of Your Eye Jesus said, "Love your brother as your own soul. Protect them like the pupil of your eye." |
I
Saw The Place Of Justice 3:16 And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. |
Saying 26: Judging Rightously Jesus said, "You see the speck that's in your brother's eye, but you don't see the beam in your own eye. When you get the beam out of your own eye, then you'll be able to see clearly to get the speck out of your brother's eye." |
God Will
Judge The Righteous 3:17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 3:18 I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts. |
Saying 27: Fasting and Resting "If you don't fast from the world, you won't find the kingdom. If you don't make the Sabbath into a Sabbath, you won't see the Father." |
Falling and Dying 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. |
Saying 28: Changing The Heart
And Soul Of Humanity Jesus said, "I stood in the middle of the world and appeared to them in the flesh. I found them all drunk; I didn't find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they were blind in their hearts and couldn't see. They came into the world empty and plan on leaving the world empty. Meanwhile, they're drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they'll change." |
Bringing Back The Dust And
Spirit Of Man? 3:20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth? 3:22 Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him? |
Saying 29: The Poverty of the
Flesh Jesus said, "If the flesh came into existence because of spirit, that's amazing. If spirit came into existence because of the body, that's really amazing! But I'm amazed at how [such] great wealth has been placed in this poverty." |
The Oppression Under The Sun 4:1 Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. |
Saying 30:The Divine Presence Jesus said, "Where there are three deities, they're divine. Where there are two or one, I'm with them." (C.f. I am [the] Alpha and Omega... which is, which was, and which is to come, Revelation 1:8) |
The Presently Living 4:2 Wherefore I praised the dead that have been long dead more than the living that are yet alive; 4:3 yea, better than them both [did I esteem] him that hath not yet been, |
Saying 31: The Prophet And The
Doctor Jesus said, "No prophet is welcome in their own village. No doctor heals those who know them." ( C.f. "The skill of the physician," Ecclesiasticus 38:3 ) |
The Seer And The
Skillful Worker who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. 4:4 Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Saying 32: Building the
Fortified City Jesus said, "A city built and fortified on a high mountain can't fall, nor can it be hidden." |
Folding the Hands and Hunger 4:5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. |
Saying 33: Listen And See The
Light Jesus said, "What you hear with one ear, listen to with both, then proclaim from your rooftops. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket or in a hidden place. Rather, they put it on the stand so that everyone who comes and goes can see its light." |
Quietness But Vanity Under the
Sun 4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind. 4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. 4:8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; |
Saying 34: The Blind
Who Can't See Jesus said, "If someone who's blind leads someone else who's blind, both of them fall into a pit." ( C.f. "Lay not up... treasures on earth... If... thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light," Matthew 6:10- 22 ) |
The Covetous Eyes that Are Never
Satisfied yet is there no end of all his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches. For whom then, [saith he], do I labor, and deprive my soul of good? This also is vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. |
Saying 35:
They
Can Loot The House Jesus said, "No one can break into the house of the strong and take it by force without tying the hands of the strong. Then they can loot the house." |
Two
Can Have
A Good Reward 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up. |
Saying
36: What Will
You Wear From
Evening to Morning Jesus said, "Don't be anxious from morning to evening or from evening to morning about what you'll wear." |
They Have
Warmth If
Two Lie Together 4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm [alone]? 4:12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; |
Saying 37: As A little Child
Seeing Jesus His disciples said, "When will you appear to us? When will we see you?" Jesus said, "When you strip naked without being ashamed, and throw your clothes on the ground and stomp on them as little children would, then [you'll] see the Son of the Living One and won't be afraid." |
A Wise Youth Coming Forth Out Of
The Prison and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 4:13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more. 4:14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; yea, even in his kingdom he was born poor. 4:15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the youth, the second, that stood up in his stead. |
Saying 38:
Hear The Message That
You've Wanted To Hear Jesus said, "Often you've wanted to hear this message that I'm telling you, and you don't have anyone else from whom to hear it. There will be days when you'll look for me, but you won't be able to find me." |
The Imprisoned &
Released Youth Is Made King 4:16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Saying
39: The
Scholars Took The Keys of knowledge Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of knowledge and hidden them. They haven't entered, and haven't let others enter who wanted to. So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." |
They
Know Not That They Do Evil 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil. |
Saying
40: A Grapevine Planted
Outside Of The Father Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted outside of the Father. Since it's malnourished, it'll be pulled up by its root and destroyed." ( C.f. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... And God said," Genesis 1:1-2, "Whosoever shall say... he shall have whatsoever he saith," Mark 11:23 ) |
Don't
Be Hasty To Utter Anything Before God 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 5:3 For a dream [or a nightmare] cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words. |
Saying 41: Have Something In Hand Jesus said, "Whoever has something in hand will be given more, but whoever doesn't have anything will lose even what little they do have." |
Pay
That Which Thou Vowest 5:4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest. |
Saying 42: Not Tied Down Jesus said, "Become passersby." |
Free From Obligation 5:5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. |
Saying 43:
Who
Are You To Say - You
Don't Realize His disciples said to him, "Who are you to say these things to us?" "You don't realize who I am from what I say to you, but you've become like those Judeans who either love the tree but hate its fruit, or love the fruit but hate the tree." |
Silence
Thy Mouth In
The Multitude Of Dreams 5:6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that is was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands? 5:7 For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God. |
Saying 44: Blasphemy And
Forgiveness Jesus said, "Whoever blasphemes the Father will be forgiven, and whoever blasphemes the Son will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither on earth nor in heaven." |
Violence
And Justice 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they. 5:9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field. |
Saying 45:
An Evil Person - Their
Heart Is Full Of Evil Jesus said, "Grapes aren't harvested from thorns, nor are figs gathered from thistles, because they don't produce fruit. [A person who's good] brings good things out of their treasure, and a person who's [evil] brings evil things out of their evil treasure. They say evil things because their heart is full of evil." |
He
That Loveth Silver -
This Also Is Vanity 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. 5:11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding [of them] with his eyes? |
Saying
46: Know
The Kingdom Like John & Become Greater Jesus said, "From Adam to John the Baptizer, no one's been born who's so much greater than John the Baptizer that they shouldn't avert their eyes. But I say that whoever among you will become a little child will know the kingdom and become greater than John." ( C.f. "John was clothed with camel's hair," Mark 1:6 ) |
Much
Riches Are Kept To The Owners Own
Hurt 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. 5:13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt: |
Saying 47: Serving Two Masters -
Burst, Spoil, Or Tear Apart Jesus said, "It's not possible for anyone to mount two horses or stretch two bows, and it's not possible for a servant to follow two leaders, because they'll respect one and despise the other. "No one drinks old wine and immediately wants to drink new wine. And new wine isn't put in old wineskins, because they'd burst. Nor is old wine put in new wineskins, because it'd spoil. "A new patch of cloth isn't sewn onto an old coat, because it'd tear apart." |
Riches
Perish By Evil - This Is A Grievous
Evil 5:14 and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 5:15 As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. 5:16 And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind? 5:17 All his days also he eateth in darkness, |
Saying 48: Peace In A Single
House Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other in a single house, they'll say to the mountain, 'Go away,' and it will." |
Good For One and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath. 5:18 Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, |
Saying 49:
Blessed
Are Those Who Find The
Kingdom Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are one – those who are chosen, because you'll find the kingdom. You've come from there and will return there." ( C. f. Return there - "Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things," Romans 11:36. ) |
Enjoy Good
In All - God Given
Riches & Wealth and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion. 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, |
Saying 50: Our Origin And
Identity Jesus said, "If they ask you, 'Where do you come from?' tell them, 'We've come from the light, the place where light came into being by itself, [established] itself, and appeared in their image.' "If they ask you, 'Is it you?' then say, 'We are its children, and we're chosen by our living Father.' "If they ask you, 'What's the sign of your Father in you?' then say, 'It's movement and rest.'" |
He
Will Not Much Remember The Days Of His Life and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor-this is the gift of God. 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart. 6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 6:2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. |
Saying 51: The New World Has
Already Come His disciples said to him, "When will the dead have rest, and when will the new world come?" He said to them, "What you're looking for has already come, but you don't know it." ( C.f. Have rest or "When will the the dead be resurrected ?" ) |
An
Untimely Birth Comes
In Vanity 6:3 If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he: 6:4 for it cometh in vanity, |
Saying 52:
Ignored
The Living One Right In Front Of You His disciples said to him, "Twenty-four prophets have spoken in Israel, and they all spoke of you." He said to them, "You've ignored the Living One right in front of you, and you've talked about those who are dead." |
He
Hath Not Seen The Sun Nor Known It and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 6:5 moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other: 6:6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place? |
Saying 53:
True
Circumcision In Spirit Became Profitable His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision useful, or not?" He said to them, "If it were useful, parents would have children who are born circumcised. But the true circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every way." |
The
Poor Man Who Knows The Beneficial Walk 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 6:8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? (C.f. "The poor man knows how to walk," Eccl 6:8) |
Saying
54: The Poor Are
Blessed With The Kingdom Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven." ( C.f. Not only do the thoughts, words and rhetoric within the sayings of Thomas connect horizontally, but also vertically. https://gospel.neocities.org/sevenseals ) |
The Poor Man Sees And Knows The
Living [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living? 6:9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Saying
55: Become
My Disciple... Take
Up The Cross Jesus said, "Whoever doesn't hate their father and mother can't become my disciple, and whoever doesn't hate their brothers and sisters and take up their cross like I do isn't worthy of me." |
Know What Makes A Man
Better 6:10 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known that it is man; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he. 6:11 Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? |
Saying 56:
Whoever has known
has found Jesus said, "Whoever has known the world has found a corpse. Whoever has found a corpse, of them the world isn't worthy." |
Whoever
knows can tell 6:12 For who knoweth what is good for man in [his] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? |
Saying 57:
The
Day Of The Harvest Jesus said, "My Fathers' kingdom can be compared to someone who had [good] seed. Their enemy came by night and sowed weeds among the good seed. The person didn't let anyone pull out the weeds, 'so that you don't pull out the wheat along with the weeds,' they said to them. 'On the day of the harvest, the weeds will be obvious. Then they'll be pulled out and burned.'" |
The
Day Of Death That
Is The End Of All Men 7:1 A [good] name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. ( C.f. Darnel contains an bitter fixed oil. ) |
Saying 58: Happiness and Trouble
In Life Jesus said, "Blessed is the person who's gone to a lot of trouble. They've found life." ( C.f. Going to a lot of trouble - "Whoever discovers the meaning of these sayings won't taste death," Thomas 1. ) |
Laughter
and Sorrow In The
House Of Mourning 7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. 7:4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. |
Saying 59: Look For The Living
One Jesus said, "Look for the Living One while you're still alive. If you die and then try to look for him, you won't be able to." |
Hear
the Rebuke Of The Wise 7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 7:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. |
Saying 60: He Will Kill The
Lamb So Find A Place of Refuge They saw a Samaritan carrying a lamb to Judea. He said to his disciples, "What do you think he's going to do with that lamb?" They said to him, "He's going to kill it and eat it." He said to them, "While it's living, he won't eat it, but only after he kills it and it becomes a corpse." They said, "He can't do it any other way." He said to them, "You, too, look for a resting place, so that you won't become a corpse and be eaten." |
It
Destroys The Wise Man So Be Patient In Spirit 7:7 Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding. 7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; [and] the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 7:10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this. |
Saying 61:
If Undivided
Then Two
Will Rest On A Couch Jesus said, "Two will rest on a couch. One will die, the other will live." Salome said, "Who are you, Sir, to climb onto my couch and eat off my table as if you're from someone?" Jesus said to her, "I'm the one who exists in equality (or from the undivided). Some of what belongs to my Father was given to me." "I'm your disciple." "So I'm telling you, if someone is /equal\ (or undivided), they'll be full of light; but if they're divided, they'll be full of darkness." ( C.f. "I am the one who exists from the undivided" - the fulness, Colossians 1:19. ) |
God
Made The One Side by Side With The Other 7:11 Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 7:12 For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. 7:13 Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything [that shall be] after him. |
Saying 62:
The
Secrets of The Right Hand Jesus said, "I tell my mysteries to [those who are worthy of my] mysteries. Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." ( C.f. "Don't throw pearls to the pigs," lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you, Thomas 93, Matthew 7:6, Ecclesiastes 7:16. ) |
A
Righteous Man Perisheth In His Righteouness 7:15 All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth [his life] in his evil-doing. ( C. f. Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Ecclesiastes 7:16. ) |
Saying 63: He
Died That Very Night - What
Was He Thinking Jesus said, "There was a rich man who had much money. He said, 'I'll use my money to sow, reap, plant, and fill my barns with fruit, so that I won't need anything.' That's what he was thinking to himself, but he died that very night. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!" |
Why Die
Early - Neither
Be Thou Foolish 7:16 Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 7:17 Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 7:18 It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; |
Saying
64: Call
The Visitors And Bring
Whomever You Find Jesus said, "Someone was planning on having guests. When dinner was ready, they sent their servant to call the visitors. "The servant went to the first and said, 'My master invites you.' "They said, 'Some merchants owe me money. They're coming tonight. I need to go and give them instructions. Excuse me from the dinner.' "The servant went to another one and said, 'My master invites you.' "They said, "I've just bought a house and am needed for the day. I won't have time.' "The servant went to another one and said, 'My master invites you.' "They said, 'My friend is getting married and I'm going to make dinner. I can't come. Excuse me from the dinner.' "The servant went to another one and said, 'My master invites you.' "They said, "I've just bought a farm and am going to collect the rent. I can't come. Excuse me.' "The servant went back and told the master, 'The ones you've invited to the dinner have excused themselves.' "The master said to their servant, 'Go out to the roads and bring whomever you find so that they can have dinner.' "Buyers and merchants won't [enter] the places of my Father." ( C.f. Jesus said, "I'll choose you, one out of a thousand," Thomas 23. ) |
Seeking
To Find One
Man Among A Thousand yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all. 7:19 Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 7:21 Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; 7:22 for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others. 7:23 All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 7:24 That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out? 7:25 I turned about, and my heart [was set] to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason [of things], and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness. 7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, [and] whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 7:27 Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, [laying] one thing to another, to find out the account; 7:28 which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. |
Saying 65:
Maybe
They Just Didn't Know But They
Knew He said, "A [certain king or creditor or a man] owned a vineyard. He leased it out to some sharecroppers to work it so he could collect its fruit. "He sent his servant so that the sharecroppers could give him the fruit of the vineyard. They seized his servant, beat him, and nearly killed him. "The servant went back and told his master. His master said, 'Maybe he just didn't know them.' He sent another servant, but the tenants beat that one too. "Then the master sent his son, thinking, 'Maybe they'll show some respect to my son.' "Because they knew that he was the heir of the vineyard, the sharecroppers seized and killed him. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!" ( C.f. Alternatively "A certain king," Matthew 22:1-14 or "a certain man," Luke 14: 15-24 owned a vineyard. ) |
Who
Knoweth The Interpretation Of A Thing 7:29 Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. 8:1 Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. 8:2 I [counsel thee], Keep the king’s command, and that in regard of the oath of God. 8:3 Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. 8:4 For the king’s word [hath] power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou? ( C.f. Jesus said, "Whoever discovers the interpretion these sayings won't experience death.") |
Saying 66:
Show
Me The Stone and The Rejection Jesus said, "Show me the stone the builders rejected; that's the cornerstone." |
Discern
The
Commandment And The Evil 8:5 Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment: |
Saying 67: Knowing Isn't
Everything Jesus said, "Whoever knows everything, but is personally lacking, lacks everything." |
He
Knoweth Not That Which Shall Be 8:6 for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him: 8:7 for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be? |
Saying 68:
When
You're Hated And Persecuted Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you're hated and persecuted, and no place will be found where you've been persecuted." . |
The
Day Of Death 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it. |
Saying
69: Those
Who Are Persecuted In Their Own Hearts Jesus said, "Blessed are those who've been persecuted in their own hearts. They've truly known the Father. Blessed are those who are hungry, so that their stomachs may be filled." |
I
Applied My Heart To Every Work That Was Done 8:9 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 hath power over another to his hurt. |
Saying
70: What
You Have Within You Will Save You Jesus said, "If you give birth to what's within you, what you have within you will save you. If you don't have that within [you], what you don't have within you [will] kill you." |
The
Forgotten Righteous Within The City 8:10 So I saw the wicked buried, and they came [to the grave]; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity. |
Saying
71:
No One Will Be Able To Build It Jesus said, "I'll destroy [this] house, and no one will be able to build it […]" |
Though
A Sinner Do Evil A Hundred Times 8:11 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. 8:12 Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], |
Saying
72: Tell
My Brothers To Divide - Really? [Someone said to him], "Tell my brothers to divide our inheritance with me." He said to him, "Who made me a divider?" He turned to his disciples and said to them, "Am I really a divider?" |
Them
That Fear Him And Them
That Fear Not yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him: 8:13 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. 8:14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, |
Saying
73: The Lord Will Send
Workers Jesus said, "The harvest really is plentiful, but the workers are few. So pray that the Lord will send workers to the harvest." |
The
Work Of The Righteous that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. |
Saying
74: The Empty Well: There's
Nothing To Drink He said, "Lord, many are gathered around the well, but there's nothing to drink." |
A
Man Has No Better Thing Than To Eat & Drink 8:15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun. |
Saying
75: Those
Who Are One - Enter The Bridal Chamber Jesus said, "Many are waiting at the door, but those who are one will enter the bridal chamber." ( C.f. The Bright Light of Illumination in the Bridal Chamber https://gospel.neocities.org/bridalchamberstudy ) |
Know
Wisdom... See
The
Business That Is Done 8:16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, 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), |
Saying
76: The
Kingdom Is Like Finding A Pearl: Look Jesus said, "The Father's kingdom can be compared to a merchant with merchandise who found a pearl. The merchant was wise; they sold their merchandise and bought that single pearl for themselves. "You, too, look for the treasure that doesn't perish but endures, where no moths come to eat and no worms destroy." |
Man Is Not Be Able To Find
It: Seek & Explore 8:17 then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it. 9:1 For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; |
Saying
77: I Am the All. All
Comes from Me & Returns to Me Jesus said, "I'm the light that's over all. I am the All. The All has come from me and unfolds toward me. "Split a log; I'm there. Lift the stone, and you'll find me there." ( C.f. "Unfolds toward me" or returns, Romans 11:36. ) |
All
Things Come Alike To All all is before them. 9:2 All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner; [and] he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath. |
Saying
78: What
Did You Go Out Into The Desert To See Jesus said, "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? A [person] wearing fancy clothes, [like your] rulers and powerful people? They (wear) fancy [clothes], but can't know the truth." |
This
Is An Evil In All That Is Done Under The Sun 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that [they go] to the dead. |
Saying 79:
Blessed
Are Those Who Listen To The Message A woman in the crowd said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nourished you." He said to [her], "Blessed are those who have listened to the message of the Father and kept it, because there will be days when you'll say, 'Blessed is the womb that didn't conceive and the breasts that haven't given milk.'" |
The
Living Know That They Shall Die 9:4 For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 9:5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 9:6 As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; |
Saying
80: Of
Those Who Find The World Isn't Worthy Jesus said, "Whoever has known the world has found the body; but whoever has found the body, of them the world isn't worthy." |
They
Have No
Portion
In
Anything Under The Sun neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun. 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. |
Saying
81: Renounce
Power - Become A Ruler Jesus said, "Whoever has become rich should become a ruler, and whoever has power should renounce it." |
Live
Joyfully - Let
Not Thy Head Lack Oil 9:8 Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil. 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, |
Saying
82: Near
The Fire or Far
From The Kingdom Jesus said, "Whoever is near me is near the fire, and whoever is far from me is far from the kingdom." ( C.f. Jesus said, "I've cast fire on the world," Thomas 10 ) |
Under
The Sun or Days
Of Vanity which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun. |
Saying
83: Hidden
In The Image Of The Father's Light Jesus said, "Images are revealed to people, but the light within them is hidden in the image of the Father's light. He'll be revealed, but his image will be hidden by his light." |
There Is No Knowledge,
Nor Wisdom, In Sheol 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest. |
Saying
84: When
You See How
Much You'll Have To Bear Jesus said, "When you see your likeness, you rejoice. But when you see your images that came into being before you did – which don't die, and aren't revealed – how much you'll have to bear!" |
I
Saw Time
And Chance Happeneth To Them All 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. 9:12 For man also knoweth not his time: |
Saying 85: Adam
Experiences Death Jesus said, "Adam came into being from a great power and great wealth, but he didn't become worthy of you. If he had been worthy, [he wouldn't have tasted] death." ( C.f. Who is the greatest "from Adam to John the Baptist... but... a little child will know the kingdom," Thomas 46. ) |
The
Sons Of Men
Are Snared as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them. 9:13 I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me: |
Saying
86: Foxes And The Birds And The
Son Of Man Jesus said, "[The foxes have dens] and the birds have nests, but the Son of Humanity has nowhere to lay his head and rest." |
A
King And
Few Men And A
Poor Wise Man 9:14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. 9:15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, |
Saying 87: Soul And Body Jesus said, "How miserable is the body that depends on a body, and how miserable is the soul that depends on both." ( C.f. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven," Thomas 54. ) |
Wisdom
And Strength and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 9:16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, |
Saying
88: The
Prophets Will Give
You What Belongs To You Jesus said, "The angels and the prophets will come to you and give you what belongs to you. You'll give them what you have and ask yourselves, 'When will they come and take what is theirs?'" |
The
Words Of The Wise Are
Heard In Quiet and (the poor man) his words are not heard. 9:17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good. |
Saying
89: Why
Do You Wash The Outside Of The Cup Jesus said, "Why do you wash the outside of the cup? Don't you know that whoever created the inside created the outside too?" |
A
Little Folly Sends
Forth An Evil Odor 10:1 Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; [so] doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. |
Saying
90: Jesus' Requirements
Are Light Jesus said, "Come to me, because my yoke is easy and my requirements are light. You'll be refreshed." ( C.f. "A wise man's heart leads him to do right," Ecclesiastes 10:2 The Living Bible. ) |
A Wise
Man's Heart Leads Him To Do Right 10:2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 10:3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, |
Saying
91: Tell
Us Who You Are They said to him, "Tell us who you are so that we may trust you." He said to them, "You read the face of the sky and the earth, but you don't know the one right in front of you, and you don't know how to read the present moment." |
He
Saith To Every One That He Is A Fool and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool. 10:4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences. 10:5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, |
Saying
92: Look
And You'll Find Jesus said, "Look and you'll find. I didn't answer your questions before. Now I want to give you answers, but you aren't looking for them." |
I
Have Seen Servants Upon Horses as it were an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 10:6 folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking like servants upon the earth. |
Saying 93: The Dogs Who Show
Disrespect "Don't give what's holy to the dogs, or else it might be thrown on the manure pile. Don't throw pearls to the pigs, or else they might" […] ( C.f. "Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you," Matthew 7:6. ) |
He
that Diggeth A Pit Shall
Fall Into It 10:8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a wall, a serpent shall bite him. |
Saying 94: Keep Looking And
Knock On Wood Jesus [said], "Whoever looks will find, [and whoever knocks], it will be opened for them." ( C.f. "Split a log; I'm there. Lift the stone, and you'll find me there," Thomas 77. ) |
Lift Up The Stone And Split A Log 10:9 Whoso heweth out stones shall be hurt therewith; [and] he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby. (C.f. "Nothing buried will remain uncovered," Thomas 6. ) |
Saying
95: Give Money To
One Who Won't Return It [Jesus said], "If you have money, don't lend it at interest. Instead, give [it to] someone from whom you won't get it back." |
If
There Is No Advantage - Wisdom
Is Profitable 10:10 If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 10:11 If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then is there no advantage in the charmer. |
Saying
96: Anyone
Who Has Ears To Hear Should Hear Jesus [said], "The Father's kingdom can be compared to a woman who took a little yeast and [hid] it in flour. She made it into large loaves of bread. Anyone who has ears to hear should hear!" |
The
Words Of A Wise Man’s Mouth Are Gracious 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 10:13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 10:14 A fool also multiplieth words: |
Saying
97: She
Didn't Know, And Didn't Realize Jesus said, "The Father's kingdom can be compared to a woman carrying a jar of flour. While she was walking down [a] long road, the jar's handle broke and the flour spilled out behind her on the road. She didn't know it, and didn't realize there was a problem until she got home, put down the jar, and found it empty." |
Man
Knoweth Not And Who
Can Tell Him [yet] man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him? 10:15 The labor of fools wearieth every one of them; for he knoweth not how to go to the city. |
Saying 98:
The
Father's Kingdom Is Like A Man Jesus said, "The Father's kingdom can be compared to a man who wanted to kill someone powerful. He drew his sword in his house and drove it into the wall to figure out whether his hand was strong enough. Then he killed the powerful one." |
Woe
To Thee, O Land, When Thy King Is A Child 10:16 Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning! 10:17 Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness! 10:18 By slothfulness the roof sinketh in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh. |
Saying 99: Those Who Enter The
Kingdom The disciples said to him, "Your brothers and mother are standing outside." He said to them, "The people here who do the will of my Father are my brothers and mother; they're the ones who will enter my Father's kingdom." ( C.f. "Two will rest on a bed," Thomas 61. ) |
The King And The Rich In the
Bedchamber 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things. 10:20 Revile not the king, no, not in thy thought; and revile not the rich in thy bedchamber: |
Saying 100: Give What Is
Appropriate -
And See They showed Jesus a gold coin and said to him, "Those who belong to Caesar demand tribute from us." He said to them, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, give to God what belongs to God, and give to me what belongs to me." ( C.f. "If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light... Ye cannot serve God & mammon," Matthew 6:22-24, Thomas 22. ) |
Give
A Portion - And
Thou Shalt Find It for a bird of the heavens shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter. 11:1 Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days. 11:2 Give a portion to seven, yea, even unto eight; |
Saying
101: Become
My Disciple - Give Life "Whoever doesn't hate their [father] and mother as I do can't become my [disciple], and whoever [doesn't] love their [father] and mother as I do can't become my [disciple]. For my mother […], but [my] true [Mother] gave me Life." ( C.f. Jesus said, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," John 6:63. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit," John 12:24. ) |
Thou
Knowest Not - Full
Clouds Disperse for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth. 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be. |
Saying
102: The
Pharisees Are
Sleeping
&
Do Not Eat
Jesus said, "How awful for the Pharisees who are like a dog sleeping in a feeding trough for cattle, because the dog doesn't eat, and [doesn't let] the cattle eat either." ( C.f. "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation," Luke 17:20. Thomas 51 & 113. ) |
He
That Observeth Knowest
Not & Shall
Not Reap 11:4 He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. 11:5 As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all. |
Saying
103: Knowing
- Get
Up Before The
Bandits Come Jesus said, "Blessed is the one who knows where the bandits are going to enter. [He can] get up to assemble his defenses and be prepared to defend themselves before they arrive." ( C.f. They will say, 'Give our field back to us,' Thomas 21. ) |
Knowing
Not -
Close Not Thy Hand In
The Evening 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. |
Saying
104: Then
People Should Fast And Pray They said to [Jesus], "Come, let's pray and fast today." Jesus said, "What have I done wrong? Have I failed? "Rather, when the groom leaves the bridal chamber, then people should fast and pray." |
If
A Man Live Many Years... The
Days Of Darkness 11:7 Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. 11:8 Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 11:9 Rejoice, |
Saying
105: Whoever Knows Will Be Labelled Jesus said, "Whoever knows their father and mother will be called a bastard." |
You Know You Will
Be Judged O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. |
Saying
106: Make
The Two Into One And Become
Children Jesus said, "When you make the two into one, you'll become Children of Humanity, and if you say 'Mountain, go away!', it'll go." ( C.f. "Become the sons of man." Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one... then you'll enter the kingdom," Thomas 22. ) |
Remember
thy Creator in Youth
& the Dawn of Life 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. 12:1 Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, |
Saying
107: He Left &
Looked & He Found
The Lost Sheep Jesus said, "The kingdom can be compared to a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. The largest one strayed. He left the ninety-nine and looked for that one until he found it. Having gone through the trouble, he said to the sheep: 'I love you more than the ninety-nine.'" |
Darkness
& Light & The Clouds Return when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 12:2 before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain; |
Saying 108: Becoming Like Jesus Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become like me, and I myself will become like them; then, what's hidden will be revealed to them." |
The
Strong Men Shall Bow Themselves 12:3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened, |
Saying 109: The Kingdom's Hidden
Treasure In The Field Jesus said, "The kingdom can be compared to someone who had a treasure [hidden] in their field. [They] didn't know about it. After they died, they left it to their son. The son didn't know it either. He took the field and sold it. "The buyer plowed the field, [found] the treasure, and began to loan money at interest to whomever they wanted." ( C.f. "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth," Romans 10: 8,14. "The doors shall be shut," Ecclesiastes 12:4. ) |
His
Everlasting Home Hidden In
The Street 12:4 and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; 12:5 yea, they shall be afraid of [that which is] high, and terrors [shall be] in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goeth to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets: |
Saying 110:
Renouncing The world Jesus said, "Whoever has found the world and become rich should renounce the world." ( C.f. Jesus said, "There was a rich man who had much money... but he died," Thomas 63. ) |
Before Death 12:6 before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, |
Saying
111: Whoever
Lives From The Living One Won't Die Jesus said, "The heavens and the earth will roll up in front of you, and whoever lives from the Living One won't see death." Doesn't Jesus say, "Whoever finds themselves, of them the world isn't worthy"? |
The
Spirit Returneth Unto God Who Gave It 12:7 and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it. 12:8 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity. 12:9 And further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; |
Saying
112: How
Awful For The Flesh And Soul Jesus said, "How awful for the flesh that depends on the soul. How awful for the soul that depends on the flesh." ( C.f . Jesus said, "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now," John 16:12. ) |
The
Preacher Sought
To Find Acceptable Words yea, he pondered, and sought out, [and] set in order many proverbs. 12:10 The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written uprightly, [even] words of truth. |
Saying
113: The Kingdom Won't
Come By Looking For It His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?" Jesus said, "It won't come by looking for it. They won't say, 'Look over here!' or 'Look over there!' Rather, the Father's kingdom is already spread out over the earth, and people don't see it." |
The
Words Of The Wise Are As Goads 12:11 The words of the wise are as goads; and as nails well fastened are [the words of] the masters of assemblies, [which] are given from one shepherd. 12:12 And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; |
Saying
114: I
Shall Lead Her Into The
Kingdom Of Heaven Simon Peter said to them, "Mary should leave us, because women aren't worthy of life." Jesus said, I myself shall lead her in order to make her male, so that she may become a living spirit too, just like you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the kingdom of heaven." |
God
Will Bring Every
Hidden Thing In The End and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 12:13 [This is] the end of the matter; all hath been heard: fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole [duty] of man. 12:14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. |
The Hebrew Bible and The Original Gospel of Jesus The Original Gospel Authored by Jesus Christ |