The Futility of Labor

18 Thus I hated aall the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must bleave it to the man who will come after me.

19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or aa fool? Yet he will have 1control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is bvanity.

20 Therefore I 1completely despaired of all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.

21 When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and askill, then he bgives his 1legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil.

22 For what does a man get in aall his labor and in 1his striving with which he labors under the sun?

23 Because all his days his task is painful and agrievous; even at night his 1mind bdoes not rest. This too is vanity.

24 There is anothing better for a man than to eat and drink and 1tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is bfrom the hand of God.

25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without 1Him?

26 For to a person who is good in His sight aHe has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may bgive to one who is good in God’s sight. This too is cvanity and striving after wind.