Study Desk

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.

What does the worker gain from his struggles?

It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.

I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies?

The fool folds his armsand consumes his own flesh.

There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. “Who am I struggling for,” he asks, “and depriving myself of good things?” This too is futile and a miserable task.

For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

For he came from prison to be king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?

There is a sickening tragedy I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; he will take nothing for his efforts that he can carry in his hands.

What is more, he eats in darkness all his days, with much frustration, sickness, and anger.

Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward.

Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God,

for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.