Ecclesiastes 5:10–7:29

10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. 11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes? 12The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt: 14and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. 16And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind? 17All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.

18Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion. 19Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. 20For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

6 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 2a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he: 4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 5moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other: 6yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?

7All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living? 9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he. 11Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

7 A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death, than the day of one’s birth. 2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad. 4The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. 7Surely extortion maketh the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroyeth the understanding.

8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

11Wisdom is as good as an inheritance; yea, more excellent is it for them that see the sun. 12For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it. 13Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked? 14In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yea, God hath made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything that shall be after him.

15All this have I seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing. 16Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? 17Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time? 18It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from that withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth from them all.

19Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city. 20Surely there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not. 21Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee; 22for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

23All this have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me. 24That which is, is far off and exceeding deep; who can find it out? 25I turned about, and my heart was set to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know that wickedness is folly, and that foolishness is madness. 26And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, and whose hands are bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her. 27Behold, this have I found, saith the Preacher, laying one thing to another, to find out the account; 28which my soul still seeketh, but I have not found: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found. 29Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.