9:4 But whoever is among
a live dog is better than a dead lion.
9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything;
they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears.
9:6 What they loved,
and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.
9:7 Go, eat your food
and drink your wine with a happy heart,
because God has already approved your works.
9:8 Let your clothes always be white,
and do not spare precious ointment on your head.
9:9 Enjoy
that God
for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work
9:10 Whatever you find to do with your hands,
do it with all your might,
because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave,
the place where you will eventually go.
9:11 Again,
the race is not always
the battle is not always won by the strongest;
prosperity
wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning,
nor does success
for time and chance may overcome
9:12 Surely, no one
Like fish that are caught in a deadly
just like them, all people
9:13 This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth,
and it is a great burden
9:14 There was once
and a mighty king attacked it, besieging
9:15 However, a poor but wise man lived in the city,
and he could have delivered
but no one listened
9:16 So I concluded that wisdom is better than might,
but a poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens
9:17 The words of the wise are heard in quiet,
more than the shouting of a ruler is heard
9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner can destroy much that is good.