Ecclesiastes Chapter 9
Ecclesiastes 9
The Best Way to Live Under the Sun
Ecclesiastes 9 continues Solomon’s search for how a man should live in light of death, uncertainty, injustice, and the limits of human wisdom. The chapter begins with the sobering reality that death comes to all, the righteous and the wicked, the clean and the unclean, the religious and the irreligious. Solomon then counsels man to receive ordinary gifts with gratitude, to love his wife, to labor diligently, and to recognize that life under the sun is often unpredictable. The chapter ends by showing that wisdom is better than strength and better than weapons of war, yet wisdom is often ignored, forgotten, or overturned by the destructive power of one sinner. The uploaded notes emphasize Solomon’s under the sun perspective, the despair of death, the limited joy available in earthly life, the suddenness of time and chance, and the tragedy of unappreciated wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:1
“For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this,that the righteous,and the wise,and their works,are in the hand of God:no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.”
Solomon begins by saying that he has considered these matters deeply in his heart. He is not speaking carelessly. He has examined life, death, righteousness, wickedness, wisdom, injustice, and the providence of God. His conclusion is that the righteous, the wise, and their works are in the hand of God. This is a true and important statement. God rules over His people, their lives, their labor, and their outcomes.
Yet Solomon also says that no man knows either love or hatred by all that is before him. From the under the sun perspective, outward circumstances do not always clearly reveal whether God loves or hates a man. The righteous may suffer. The wicked may prosper. The wise may be forgotten. The fool may be honored. If a man judges God’s love only by immediate earthly circumstances, he will become confused.
Psalm 31:15, KJV: “My times are in thy hand:deliver me from the hand of mine enemies,and from them that persecute me.”
The believer can affirm what Solomon sees dimly. The righteous are in the hand of God, and their times are in His hand. Yet the believer must not measure God’s love merely by ease, wealth, health, or earthly success. The ultimate proof of God’s love is not found in temporary circumstances, but in the cross of Christ.
Romans 5:8, KJV: “But God commendeth his love toward us,in that,while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us.”
The cross gives certainty where life under the sun can appear confusing. Circumstances change, but Calvary declares the love of God with final clarity.
Ecclesiastes 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.”
Solomon now states the great equalizer of life under the sun, one event comes to all. Death comes to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the unclean, to the worshiper and to the one who does not sacrifice, to the good man and to the sinner, to the oath taker and to the one who fears an oath.
From the earthly viewpoint, this is deeply troubling. If righteousness matters, why do the righteous die like the wicked? If worship matters, why does the worshiper die like the irreligious man? If wisdom matters, why does the wise man go to the grave like the fool? Solomon is not saying there is no moral difference between these people. He is saying that death overtakes them all.
Ecclesiastes 2:14, KJV: “The wise man's eyes are in his head;but the fool walketh in darkness:and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.”
This is one of the repeated burdens of Ecclesiastes. Wisdom is better than folly, righteousness is better than wickedness, and worship is better than irreverence, but all still die. Under the sun, death appears to erase the visible advantage.
The New Testament gives the fuller answer. Death comes to all because sin has entered the world, but death is not the same for the believer and the unbeliever.
Romans 5:12, KJV: “Wherefore,as by one man sin entered into the world,and death by sin;and so death passed upon all men,for that all have sinned:”
John 11:25, KJV: “Jesus said unto her,I am the resurrection,and the life:he that believeth in me,though he were dead,yet shall he live:”
John 11:26, KJV: “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.Believest thou this?”
Death touches all men physically, but Christ transforms death for the believer. The grave is not the final destiny of the redeemed.
Ecclesiastes 9:3
“This is an evil among all things that are 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.”
Solomon calls this “an evil” among all things done under the sun, that one event comes to all. He is morally disturbed by the universal reach of death. He does not treat death as natural, harmless, or insignificant. Death is an evil in the sense that it is an enemy tied to the fall. It is not how creation was originally made to be.
Solomon also diagnoses the human heart. The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live. This is a strong statement of human depravity. Men are not merely unfortunate. They are sinful. The madness of sin governs the natural heart. Men live in rebellion, pride, lust, envy, violence, deceit, and self will, and after that they go to the dead.
Jeremiah 17:9, KJV: “The heart is deceitful above all things,and desperately wicked:who can know it?”
Romans 3:10, KJV: “As it is written,There is none righteous,no,not one:”
Romans 3:11, KJV: “There is none that understandeth,there is none that seeketh after God.”
Romans 3:12, KJV: “They are all gone out of the way,they are together become unprofitable;there is none that doeth good,no,not one.”
Ecclesiastes 9:3 does not merely say that men die. It says sinful men die. The problem is moral and mortal. Man’s heart is evil, and his body returns to the dead. The gospel is necessary because man needs forgiveness, regeneration, and victory over death.
Ecclesiastes 9:4
“For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope:for a living dog is better than a dead lion.”
Solomon now speaks from the under the sun perspective. As long as a person is joined to the living, there is hope. A living dog is better than a dead lion. In ancient Israel, dogs were generally viewed as lowly and unclean scavengers, while the lion was strong, noble, and powerful. Yet Solomon says a living dog is better than a dead lion because life still allows opportunity.
From the earthly viewpoint, the lowest living creature has an advantage over the noblest dead creature. The living can still act, repent, change, labor, love, worship, and seek God. The dead no longer participate in life under the sun.
This verse also carries an evangelistic urgency. While a man lives, there is still time to repent and believe. After death, the opportunity is gone.
Isaiah 55:6, KJV: “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found,call ye upon him while he is near:”
2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV: “For he saith,I have heard thee in a time accepted,and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee:behold,now is the accepted time;behold,now is the day of salvation.”
The living have hope because the living may still turn to God. Therefore, life must not be wasted.
Ecclesiastes 9:5
“For the living know that they shall die:but the dead know not any thing,neither have they any more a reward;for the memory of them is forgotten.”
Solomon says the living know they shall die. This knowledge can become wisdom if a man takes it to heart. The living have the advantage of awareness. They can number their days. They can consider eternity. They can repent.
He then says, “the dead know not any thing,” and that they have no more reward, for their memory is forgotten. This must be read in context. Solomon is speaking from the under the sun viewpoint, meaning the dead no longer know or participate in earthly affairs under the sun. He is not giving the final and full doctrine of the intermediate state or denying conscious existence after death. Later revelation gives greater clarity.
Psalm 90:12, KJV: “So teach us to number our days,that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
The living should learn wisdom from mortality. They know death is coming, and they must live accordingly.
The New Testament clarifies that physical death is not the end of conscious existence. Jesus taught conscious existence after death.
Luke 16:22, KJV: “And it came to pass,that the beggar died,and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom:the rich man also died,and was buried;”
Luke 16:23, KJV: “And in hell he lift up his eyes,being in torments,and seeth Abraham afar off,and Lazarus in his bosom.”
The dead do not participate in earthly life under the sun, but they do not cease to exist. Ecclesiastes describes the earthly vantage point. Christ gives fuller revelation concerning the life to come.
Ecclesiastes 9:6
“Also their love,and their hatred,and their envy,is now perished;neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”
Solomon continues describing the dead in relation to earthly life. Their love, hatred, and envy have perished in the sense that these earthly passions no longer operate within life under the sun. They no longer have a portion in anything done under the sun. Their work is finished. Their relationships in this world are no longer managed by them. Their influence, ambition, rivalry, and earthly striving have ended.
This is another reminder that earthly life is limited. A man’s earthly opportunities do not last forever. He will not always be able to work, reconcile, speak, love, serve, repent, provide, teach, or obey in the same way. Death closes the door on earthly stewardship.
Hebrews 9:27, KJV: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die,but after this the judgment:”
After death comes judgment, not another season of earthly labor. Therefore, the living must use the time God gives them.
Galatians 6:10, KJV: “As we have therefore opportunity,let us do good unto all men,especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Opportunity belongs to the living. The wise man acts while he can.
Ecclesiastes 9:7
“Go thy way,eat thy bread with joy,and drink thy wine with a merry heart;for God now accepteth thy works.”
After considering death, Solomon again commends the enjoyment of ordinary gifts. “Eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart.” This is not a command to sinful indulgence. It is counsel to receive the simple provisions of life with gratitude. Bread and wine represent ordinary sustenance and gladness.
The phrase “for God now accepteth thy works” can be understood within Solomon’s under the sun framework as a call to receive the portion God gives. The man who fears God should not live paralyzed by what he cannot control. He should enjoy what God provides in the present.
1 Timothy 4:4, KJV: “For every creature of God is good,and nothing to be refused,if it be received with thanksgiving:”
1 Timothy 4:5, KJV: “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”
God’s gifts are good when received rightly. Food, drink, family, labor, and rest are not ultimate meaning, but they are real gifts.
Yet the fuller biblical doctrine also reminds us that God accepts the believer ultimately in Christ, not because his works earn acceptance.
Ephesians 1:6, KJV: “To the praise of the glory of his grace,wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
The believer can enjoy God’s gifts with a clean conscience because he is accepted in the Beloved, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ecclesiastes 9:8
“Let thy garments be always white;and let thy head lack no ointment.”
White garments and oil were associated with cleanliness, gladness, dignity, and celebration. Solomon is saying that man should not live as though death cancels every earthly gift. Since life is brief, receive the lawful comforts God gives. Maintain joy, cleanliness, dignity, and gladness as part of the portion God grants.
This does not mean denial of sorrow or avoidance of mourning. Ecclesiastes has already said there is a time to mourn. But it does mean that sorrow should not cause man to despise every blessing. There is a time to receive joy.
Psalm 23:5, KJV: “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:thou anointest my head with oil;my cup runneth over.”
The anointed head and full cup speak of God’s provision and blessing. The faithful man may receive such gifts with gratitude, not as idols, but as mercies.
Ecclesiastes 9:9
“Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity,which he hath given thee under the sun,all the days of thy vanity:for that is thy portion in this life,and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.”
Solomon now specifically commends marital joy. “Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest.” In a world marked by death, uncertainty, labor, and vanity, marriage is a precious gift from God. A man should not neglect the wife God has given him while chasing wealth, pleasure, ambition, or reputation. He should love her and live joyfully with her.
This is especially striking because Solomon’s own life was deeply damaged by disordered marriage and multiplied wives. His counsel here points back toward God’s design, one man loving his wife faithfully through the days God gives.
Genesis 2:24, KJV: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother,and shall cleave unto his wife:and they shall be one flesh.”
Proverbs 5:18, KJV: “Let thy fountain be blessed:and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.”
Proverbs 5:19, KJV: “Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe;let her breasts satisfy thee at all times;and be thou ravished always with her love.”
The Bible is not anti marriage, anti affection, or anti joy. It commands covenantal joy within marriage. A man’s wife is not an accessory to his life. She is his covenant companion.
Ephesians 5:25, KJV: “Husbands,love your wives,even as Christ also loved the church,and gave himself for it;”
Ecclesiastes says live joyfully with the wife you love. Ephesians tells husbands the standard of that love, Christ’s sacrificial love for the church.
Ecclesiastes 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 the grave,whither thou goest.”
Solomon now calls for diligent labor. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. Life is brief, death is certain, and opportunity is limited. Therefore, work hard while you can. Do not live lazily, passively, or half heartedly.
From Solomon’s under the sun perspective, this is because there is no work, device, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where man is going. Earthly opportunities end at death. The grave closes the season of earthly labor.
The believer can apply this verse with even greater strength. Since life is brief and eternity is real, he should serve God diligently now.
Colossians 3:23, KJV: “And whatsoever ye do,do it heartily,as to the Lord,and not unto men;”
Colossians 3:24, KJV: “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:for ye serve the Lord Christ.”
1 Corinthians 15:58, KJV: “Therefore,my beloved brethren,be ye stedfast,unmoveable,always abounding in the work of the Lord,forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
Solomon says work because death is coming. Paul says abound in the work of the Lord because resurrection is coming. Both reject laziness, but the New Testament gives the fuller hope. Labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ecclesiastes 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 favour to men of skill;but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
Solomon now turns to the unpredictability of life. Under the sun, the race is not always won by the swift. The battle is not always won by the strong. Bread does not always come to the wise. Riches do not always come to men of understanding. Favor does not always come to men of skill.
This is not how men expect life to work. We expect the fastest runner to win, the strongest army to prevail, the wisest man to prosper, the most understanding man to become rich, and the most skillful man to receive favor. Often these things happen, but not always. Life under the sun includes interruptions, reversals, accidents, injustices, timing, and unforeseen events.
Solomon calls this “time and chance.” This does not mean God is absent or that the universe is ruled by randomness in an ultimate sense. It means that from man’s earthly viewpoint, events often appear unpredictable and uncontrollable. Time and circumstance can overturn human expectation.
Proverbs 21:31, KJV: “The horse is prepared against the day of battle:but safety is of the LORD.”
Preparation matters, but the outcome belongs to God. A wise man trains, plans, studies, and works, but he does not worship his preparation. God rules the result.
James 4:14, KJV: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.For what is your life?It is even a vapour,that appeareth for a little time,and then vanisheth away.”
Man does not know tomorrow. That is why pride is foolish and dependence on God is wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 9:12
“For man also knoweth not his time:as the fishes that are taken in an evil net,and as the birds that are caught in the snare;so are the sons of men snared in an evil time,when it falleth suddenly upon them.”
Solomon emphasizes the suddenness of life’s reversals. Man does not know his time. Like fish caught in a cruel net and birds caught in a snare, men are often overtaken suddenly by an evil time. Disaster, death, sickness, loss, war, betrayal, economic collapse, judgment, or tragedy may fall unexpectedly.
This is a hard truth, but it is necessary. Man is not sovereign over his schedule. He does not know the day of his death. He does not know when trouble will come. This should not make him paranoid, but sober. He should live ready before God.
Luke 12:19, KJV: “And I will say to my soul,Soul,thou hast much goods laid up for many years;take thine ease,eat,drink,and be merry.”
Luke 12:20, KJV: “But God said unto him,Thou fool,this night thy soul shall be required of thee:then whose shall those things be,which thou hast provided?”
The rich fool did not know his time. He planned for many years, but God required his soul that night. The wise man lives prepared to meet God.
Ecclesiastes 9:13
“This wisdom have I seen also under the sun,and it seemed great unto me:”
Solomon introduces an example of wisdom that impressed him. Though he has repeatedly shown the limits of wisdom, he still recognizes wisdom’s greatness. Wisdom may be ignored, forgotten, or frustrated, but it remains better than folly and strength.
This verse reminds us that Ecclesiastes is not anti wisdom. Solomon is not saying wisdom is useless. He is saying wisdom cannot solve every mystery or defeat death by itself. Yet wisdom still has great value in earthly life.
Proverbs 8:11, KJV: “For wisdom is better than rubies;and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”
Wisdom is still precious, even in a fallen world.
Ecclesiastes 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:”
Solomon describes a little city with few men. A great king comes against it, besieges it, and builds great bulwarks against it. The contrast is intentional. The city is small. The army is great. The defenders are few. The threat is overwhelming.
This is a picture of human weakness before overwhelming power. Under normal expectations, the little city should fall. The great king has strength, numbers, military resources, and siege works. Yet Solomon is about to show that wisdom can accomplish what strength cannot.
Proverbs 24:5, KJV: “A wise man is strong;yea,a man of knowledge increaseth strength.”
Proverbs 24:6, KJV: “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war:and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.”
Strength matters, but wisdom can direct strength, defeat strength, or preserve life against strength.
Ecclesiastes 9:15
“Now there was found in it a poor wise man,and he by his wisdom delivered the city;yet no man remembered that same poor man.”
In the little city there was found a poor wise man. He had no status, wealth, army, or public greatness. Yet by his wisdom he delivered the city. This is remarkable. Wisdom saved what strength could not save.
But then comes the tragedy, “yet no man remembered that same poor man.” The city benefited from his wisdom, but forgot him. This is the bitterness of unappreciated service. A man may do great good and receive no lasting recognition. He may save others and be forgotten by them.
Under the sun, this appears vain. If human memory is the only reward, then many righteous acts are lost. But from the biblical perspective, God does not forget.
2 Timothy 2:19, KJV: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,having this seal,The Lord knoweth them that are his.And,Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
Malachi 3:16, KJV: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:and the LORD hearkened,and heard it,and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD,and that thought upon his name.”
Luke 10:20, KJV: “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not,that the spirits are subject unto you;but rather rejoice,because your names are written in heaven.”
Men forget, but God remembers. The poor wise man may be forgotten by the city, but no faithful service done before God is lost.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
“Then said I,Wisdom is better than strength:nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised,and his words are not heard.”
Solomon draws the lesson, wisdom is better than strength. The poor wise man delivered the city, proving that wisdom can succeed where power fails. Yet his wisdom was despised, and his words were not heard. This is one of life’s painful contradictions. Wisdom is valuable, but people often reject it when it comes from someone without status.
Men are often impressed by wealth, position, volume, appearance, credentials, and power. They may ignore truth when it comes through a poor, quiet, humble, or unimpressive person. This is foolish, but common.
James 2:1, KJV: “My brethren,have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Lord of glory,with respect of persons.”
James 2:2, KJV: “For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring,in goodly apparel,and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;”
James 2:3, KJV: “And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,and say unto him,Sit thou here in a good place;and say to the poor,Stand thou there,or sit here under my footstool:”
James 2:4, KJV: “Are ye not then partial in yourselves,and are become judges of evil thoughts?”
God’s people must not despise wisdom because it comes from the poor or lowly. Truth must be judged by God’s Word, not by the social status of the speaker.
Ecclesiastes 9:17
“The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”
Solomon says the quiet words of wise men are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom does not need noise to be true. Foolish authority often shouts, pressures, threatens, or entertains. Wisdom may speak quietly, but it carries greater value.
This verse is especially important in a loud age. Noise is often mistaken for strength. Confidence is mistaken for truth. Volume is mistaken for authority. But wise words spoken quietly are better than the cry of a foolish ruler.
Proverbs 15:1, KJV: “A soft answer turneth away wrath:but grievous words stir up anger.”
Proverbs 16:32, KJV: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Wisdom is often quiet because it is controlled. Folly often shouts because it is insecure, proud, or manipulative. The wise man listens for truth, not merely volume.
Ecclesiastes 9:18
“Wisdom is better than weapons of war:but one sinner destroyeth much good.”
Solomon ends the chapter with a powerful summary. Wisdom is better than weapons of war. Wisdom can prevent conflict, preserve life, deliver cities, restrain evil, and guide decisions. Weapons can destroy, but wisdom can save. Strength has value, but wisdom governs strength.
Yet one sinner destroys much good. This is a sober ending. It is easier to destroy than to build. One foolish, wicked, selfish, rebellious, or immoral person can undo the work of many wise people. One sinner can damage a family, church, nation, business, army, friendship, or ministry. One act of sin can bring consequences far beyond the sinner himself.
Joshua 7:11, KJV: “Israel hath sinned,and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them:for they have even taken of the accursed thing,and have also stolen,and dissembled also,and they have put it even among their own stuff.”
Joshua 7:12, KJV: “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies,but turned their backs before their enemies,because they were accursed:neither will I be with you any more,except ye destroy the accursed from among you.”
Achan’s sin brought defeat upon Israel. One sinner destroyed much good.
1 Kings 12:16, KJV: “So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them,the people answered the king,saying,What portion have we in David?neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse:to your tents,O Israel:now see to thine own house,David.So Israel departed unto their tents.”
Rehoboam’s folly helped split the kingdom. One foolish ruler destroyed much good.
Romans 5:12, KJV: “Wherefore,as by one man sin entered into the world,and death by sin;and so death passed upon all men,for that all have sinned:”
Adam’s sin affected the whole human race. One sinner can destroy much good, and the first sinner brought death into the world. This final line prepares the reader to see the seriousness of sin and the necessity of redemption.
Theological Summary of Ecclesiastes 9
Ecclesiastes 9 teaches that death comes to all men. The righteous and the wicked, the clean and the unclean, the worshiper and the irreligious, the wise and the fool all face death. From the under the sun perspective, this appears deeply troubling because death seems to erase visible distinctions. Yet the fuller light of Scripture shows that death is not the same for the believer and the unbeliever. The believer dies in the Lord and enters rest, while the unbeliever faces judgment.
Solomon also teaches that the living still have hope because they still have opportunity. A living dog is better than a dead lion because the living may still repent, believe, obey, love, work, and seek God. Death ends earthly opportunity. Therefore, the living must number their days and use their time wisely.
The chapter gives practical counsel for life under the sun. Man should eat his bread with joy, drink with a merry heart, keep his garments white, let his head lack no oil, live joyfully with the wife he loves, and do whatever his hand finds to do with his might. These are not commands to worldly indulgence. They are instructions to receive God’s ordinary gifts with gratitude and to labor diligently while life remains.
Solomon also shows that life is unpredictable. The race is not always to the swift, the battle is not always to the strong, bread is not always to the wise, riches are not always to men of understanding, and favor is not always to men of skill. Time and chance happen to all from the human viewpoint. Man does not know his time. Sudden trouble may overtake him like fish caught in a net or birds caught in a snare. Therefore, man must live humbly and dependently before God.
The final section teaches the value and frustration of wisdom. A poor wise man may deliver a city and still be forgotten. Wisdom is better than strength, better than loud foolish authority, and better than weapons of war. Yet wisdom may be despised when it comes from the poor, and one sinner can destroy much good. This shows both the power of wisdom and the destructive force of sin.
Ecclesiastes 9 therefore calls man to sober realism. Death is coming. Life is brief. Opportunity is limited. Circumstances are unpredictable. Human memory is weak. Wisdom is valuable but often ignored. Sin is destructive. The proper response is to fear God, receive His gifts with gratitude, love one’s wife faithfully, labor diligently, listen to wisdom, reject sin, and live in light of the resurrection hope made clear in Christ.
Ecclesiastes 12:13, KJV: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God,and keep his commandments:for this is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:14, KJV: “For God shall bring every work into judgment,with every secret thing,whether it be good,or whether it be evil.”
