The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

I thought to myself, “Come now, I will try self-indulgent pleasure to see if it is worthwhile.” But I found that it also is futile.

So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor.

Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile!

So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!

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

There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

What benefit can a worker gain from his toil?

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless – like chasing the wind.

The fool folds his hands and does no work, so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh.

Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few.

Just as dreams come when there are many cares, so the rash vow of a fool occurs when there are many words.

Do not let your mouth cause you to sin, and do not tell the priest, “It was a mistake!” Why make God angry at you so that he would destroy the work of your hands?”

Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!

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.

Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,

The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?

Consider the work of God: For who can make straight what he has bent?