Study Desk

For no one knows whether the spirit of a human ascends to heaven and whether the spirit of the beast descends to the ground!

So I concluded that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy the fruit of his labor, for this is his lot in life. For no one knows what will happen in the future.

Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity—it is an unhappy business!

Two are better than the one, for they enjoy a better reward for their toil.

For if one falls, his companion may help him up. But pity the one who falls and there is no one to help him up.

For he came out of the prison house to reign, since he was born poor in his kingdom.

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before him. Yet the later generation will not rejoice in him, for this also is vanity and chasing wind!

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.

Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart be quick to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore, let your words be few.

For a dream comes with many cares, and the voice of a fool with many words.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, for he takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow!

For with many dreams come vanities and numerous words. Therefore, fear God!

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence or do not see justice and righteousness in the province. For one official is watched by a higher official, and there are even higher officials over them!

Just as he came from his mother's womb naked, he will depart just as he came; he will take nothing with him for his toil.

This also is a grievous illness. Exactly as he came, so he will go. What profit does he gain for all his toil for the wind?

Look! I have discovered what is good and fitting: to eat and to drink and to enjoy all the fruit of the toil with which one toils under the sun during the number of the days of his life that God gives to him—for this is his lot.

For he does not remember the brief days of his life, for God keeps his heart preoccupied with enjoyment of life.

For he comes into vanity and departs into darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

All of a man's toil is for his mouth— yet his appetite is never satisfied.

Better to be content with what your eyes see than for your soul to constantly crave more. This also is vanity and chasing wind!