Study Desk

A man has nothing really good to eat, and to drink, and to shew his soul as good in his trouble. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

For God has given to the man who is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but he has given to the sinner trouble, to add and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God; for this is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: he has also set the whole world in their heart, that man might not find out the work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, except for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, and see good in all his labour, this is a gift of God.

And I saw that there was no good, but that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, for it is his portion, for who shall bring him to see any thing of that which shall be after him?

And I saw all labour, and all the diligent work, that this is a man’s envy from his neighbour. This is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

The fool folds his hands together, and eats his own flesh.

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother: yet there is no end to all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with wealth; and for whom do I labour, and deprive my soul of good? this is also vanity, and an evil trouble.

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and there is not a second to lift him up.

For he shall come forth out of the house of the prisoners to reign, because he also that was in his kingdom has become poor.

In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes?

There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

As he came forth naked from his mother’s womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go with him in his hand.

And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours?

Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labour in which he may labour under the sun, all the number of the days of his life which God has given to him: for it is his portion.

Yea, and as for every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.