Ecclesiastes 9

^{1 !} By no outward thing can man knowe whome God loueth or hateth.

^{1 a} Meaning, what things oght to chuse or refuse: or man knoweth not by these outward things, that is by prosperitie or aduersitie, whome God doeth fauour or hate: for he sendeth them aswel to the wicked as to the godlie.

^{3 b} In outward things as riches, and pouertie, sicknes, & helth there is no difference betwene the godlie, & the wicked: but the difference is that the godlie are assured by faith of Gods fauour & assistance.

^{4 c} He noteth the Epicures, and carnal men, which made their belly their god, & had no pleasure but in this life, wishing rather to be an abject & vile persone in this life, , then a man of autoritie, and so to dye, which is ment by the dog and lyon.

^{7 d} They flatter them selues to be in Gods fauour, because they haue all things in abundance.

^{8 e} Rejoyce, be mery, and spare for no cost. thus speake the wicked belligods.

^{9 /} Ebr. regarde the life.

^{11 f} Thus the worldelings say to proue that all things are lawful for them and attribute that to chance and fortune, which is done by the prouidence of God.

^{12 g} That is, he doeth not fore se what shal come.

^{12 !} No man knoweth his end.

^{16 !} Wisdome excelleth strength.