“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.

“天国又好像买卖人寻找好珠子，

“天国又好比商人寻找好的珍珠，

“天国又好比商人寻找好的珍珠，

“天国就像一个四处搜购贵重珍珠的商人。

“天国好像一个商人，搜罗宝贵的珍珠。

“天国又好比一个商人寻找精美的珍珠。

天國又好像買賣人尋找好珠子，

「天國又好比商人尋找好的珍珠，

「天國又好比商人尋找好的珍珠，

「天國就像一個四處搜購貴重珍珠的商人。

“天國好像一個商人，搜羅寶貴的珍珠。

『天國又好像商人尋找好珠子。

「天國又好比一個商人尋找精美的珍珠。

又天國猶賈求美珠、

天國猶商求美珠、

天國又如商人求美珠、

天國又如賈者之求美珠、

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls.

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a merchant seeking goodly pearls:

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls.

“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

Here is another story Jesus told:“ The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.

I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.My gifts are better than gold, even the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver!I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice.

Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.

Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.

Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies.

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

So I said,“ Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?”After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees.I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves.I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me.I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me.Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless— like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.So I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness( for who can do this better than I, the king?).

That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty.

Many people say,“ Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.

But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.

“ Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher,“ completely meaningless.”