Study Desk

I hated all the things for which I had worked under the sun, because I saw that I would have to leave them to the man who will come after me.

Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the things I worked for and which demonstrated how wise I am under the sun. This too is pointless.

Thus I came to despair over all the things I had worked for under the sun.

For what does a person get from all his efforts and ambitions permeating the work he does under the sun?

So there is nothing better for a man to do than eat, drink and and let himself enjoy the good that results from his work. I also realized that this is from God's hand.

For who will eat and who will enjoy except me?

For to the man who is good from [God's] viewpoint he gives wisdom, knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of collecting and accumulating things to leave to him who is good from God's viewpoint. This too is pointless and feeding on wind.

For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven —

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 to do than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live.

I said to myself, "The righteous and the wicked God will judge, because there is a right time for every intention and for every action."

So I concluded that there is nothing better for a person to do than take joy in his activities, that that is his allotted portion; for who can enable him to see what will happen after him?

the situation in which a solitary individual without a companion, with neither son nor brother, keeps on working endlessly but never has enough wealth. "For whom" [he should ask], "am I working so hard and denying myself pleasure?" This too is truly pointless, a sorry business.

and that no limit was set for the number of his subjects. Nevertheless, those who come afterwards will not regard him highly. This too is certainly pointless and feeding on wind. Watch your step when you go to the house of God. Offering to listen is better than fools offering sacrifices, because they don't discern whether or not they are doing evil.

Don't speak impulsively — don't be in a hurry to give voice to your words before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; so let your words be few.

For nightmares come from worrying too much; and a fool, when he speaks, chatters too much.

If you make a vow to God, don't delay in discharging it. For God takes no pleasure in fools, so discharge your vow!

For [this is what happens when there are too] many dreams, aimless activities and words. Instead, just fear God!

If you see the poor oppressed, rights violated and justice perverted in the province, don't be surprised; for a high official has one higher watching him, and there are others above them.

Just as he came from his mother's womb, so he will go back naked as he came, and for his efforts he will take nothing that he can carry away in his hand.