New World Translation The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapters 123456789101112 Outline of Contents 1 Everything is futile (1-11)Earth remains forever (4)Natural cycles continue (5-7)Nothing new under the sun (9)Human wisdom limited (12-18)A chasing after the wind (14) 2 Solomon’s pursuits evaluated (1-11)Relative value of human wisdom (12-16)The futility of hard work (17-23)Eat, drink, and enjoy work (24-26) 3 An appointed time for everything (1-8)Enjoying life a gift from God (9-15)Eternity is in man’s heart (11)God judges all with justice (16, 17)Men and animals all eventually die (18-22)All will return to dust (20) 4 Oppression worse than death (1-3)A balanced view of work (4-6)The value of a friend (7-12)Two are better than one (9)A ruler’s life can be futile (13-16) 5 Approach God with proper fear (1-7)Lower ones watched by higher ones (8, 9)The futility of wealth (10-20)Money lovers never satisfied (10)Worker’s sleep is sweet (12) 6 Possessions without enjoyment (1-6)Enjoy what you have now (7-12) 7 A good name and the day of death (1-4)A wise man’s rebuke (5-7)Better the end than the beginning (8-10)Advantage of wisdom (11, 12)Good days and bad days (13-15)Avoid going to extremes (16-22)Observations by the congregator (23-29) 8 Under imperfect human rule (1-17)Obey the king’s orders (2-4)Man’s domination harmful (9)When sentence not executed speedily (11)Eat, drink, and rejoice (15) 9 All have the same outcome (1-3)Enjoy life despite death (4-12)The dead know nothing (5)No activity in the Grave (10)Time and unexpected events (11)Wisdom not always appreciated (13-18)10 A little foolishness outweighs wisdom (1)Dangers of incompetence (2-11)The sad plight of the foolish (12-15)Foolishness among rulers (16-20)A bird may repeat your words (20)11 Seize the opportunity (1-8)Cast your bread on the waters (1)Sow seed from morning till evening (6)Enjoy youth responsibly (9, 10)12 Remember the Creator before old age sets in (1-8)The congregator’s conclusion (9-14)Wise words like oxgoads (11)Fear the true God (13)