Ecclesiastes 9:8–11
9:8 Let your clothes always be white,
and do not spare precious ointment on your head.
9:9 Enjoy22 life with your beloved wife23 during all the days of your fleeting24 life
that God25 has given you on earth26 during all your fleeting days;27
for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work28 on earth.29
9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands,30
do it with all your might,
because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave,31
the place where you will eventually go.32
Wisdom Cannot Protect against Seemingly Chance Events
9:11 Again,33 I observed this on the earth:34
the race is not always35 won by the swiftest,
the battle is not always won by the strongest;
prosperity36 does not always belong to those who are the wisest,
wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning,
nor does success37 always come to those with the most knowledge—
for time and chance may overcome38 them all.