A good reputation is better than precious perfume; likewise, the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?” for it is not wise to ask that.

Send your grain overseas, for after many days you will get a return.

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.

Surely, he ate in darkness every day of his life, and he suffered greatly with sickness and anger.

For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.

For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!

But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

When I tried to gain wisdom and to observe the activity on earth – even though it prevents anyone from sleeping day or night –

So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many – all that is about to come is obscure.

For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies – just like the fool!

Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, so no one has power over the day of his death. Just as no one can be discharged during the battle, so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.

though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man –

Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing; it benefits those who see the light of day.

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life – during the few days of his fleeting life – for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

During the days of my fleeting life I have seen both of these things: Sometimes a righteous person dies prematurely in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked person lives long in spite of his evil deeds.

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.