Study Desk

For with much wisdom is much sorrow;as knowledge increases, grief increases.

I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body—my mind still guiding me with wisdom— and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.

I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them.

I constructed reservoirs for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.

I also amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and many concubines, the delights of men.

All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.

Then I turned to consider wisdom, madness, and folly, for what will the king’s successor be like? He will do what has already been done.

For, just like the fool, there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, since in the days to come both will be forgotten. How is it that the wise person dies just like the fool?

Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.

For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?

For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.

There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand,

For to the person who is pleasing in his sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

There is an occasion for everything,

a time to love and a time to hate;a time for war and a time for peace.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life.

Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted.

I said to myself, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work.”