Here is a misfortune on earth that I have seen: Wealth hoarded by its owner to his own misery.

Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:

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

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

The Teacher says: I discovered this while trying to discover the scheme of things, item by item.

This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:

I have seen another misfortune on the earth: It is an error a ruler makes.

I have seen slaves on horseback and princes walking on foot like slaves.

The pomegranates have appeared in the land, the time for pruning and singing has come; the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

When you enter my presence, do you actually think I want this – animals trampling on my courtyards?

They say, “Let him hurry, let him act quickly, so we can see; let the plan of the Holy One of Israel take shape and come to pass, then we will know it!”

Those who see you stare at you, they look at you carefully, thinking: “Is this the man who shook the earth, the one who made kingdoms tremble?

At that time men will trust in their creator; they will depend on the Holy One of Israel.

All you who live in the world, who reside on the earth, you will see a signal flag raised on the mountains; you will hear a trumpet being blown.

For this is what the sovereign master has told me: “Go, post a guard! He must report what he sees.

When he sees chariots, teams of horses, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, very alert.”

You saw the many breaks in the walls of the city of David; you stored up water in the lower pool.

If the wicked are shown mercy, they do not learn about justice. Even in a land where right is rewarded, they act unjustly; they do not see the Lord’s majesty revealed.

At that time the deaf will be able to hear words read from a scroll, and the eyes of the blind will be able to see through deep darkness.

The splendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the Lord has decreed it.”