Bible (Wycliffe) 21: Ecclesiastes


Read by Martin Geeson

(4.7 stars; 3 reviews)

“... an alemaunde tre schal floure, a locuste schal be maad fat, and capparis schal be distried; for a man schal go in to the hous of his euerlastyngnesse...” - Eccl. xii, 5 (see Note below).

Traditionally composed by Solomon sometime around 950-970 BCE but dated on linguistic evidence somewhere in the third century, this meditation on the futility of mankind’s striving can bring comfort to those of firm or fragile faith, or of no faith at all. The text used here is a revision of Wycliffe's original translation, made by his follower John Purvey in the mid-1390s. Wycliffe's chapter divisions in some cases differ from those of later versions (the King James, for example).

The Preacher, in his musings on the human condition, enlivens his melancholy observations with flashes of angry despair, resentment and even grim humour, all powerfully conveyed by Wycliffe’s translation.

Note: The King James Version avoids a direct reference to the aphrodisiac qualities of capparis (caper-berries) in its rendering: “the Almond tree shall flourish, and the grashopper shall be a burden, and desire shall faile...” (Introduction by Martin Geeson) (0 hr 59 min)

Chapters

Chapter 1 4:35 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 2 7:14 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 3 5:02 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 4 6:42 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 5 3:13 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 6 3:31 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 7 6:31 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 8 4:42 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 9 5:46 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 10 4:30 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 11 3:06 Read by Martin Geeson
Chapter 12 4:33 Read by Martin Geeson

Reviews

this is so cool


(5 stars)

Very interesting. I compared to modern versions and this is so rich. It's as close to traveling back in time as reading can be. The reading of this made it accessible to me. I followed along with the text version and hearing it helped me put it together. The roots of the English language and of spiritual thinking is fascinating. Bravo!

A scholar's text?


(5 stars)

I can't follow. I wish