So I reflected on all this, attempting to clear it all up. I concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God; whether a person will be loved or hated – no one knows what lies ahead.

Everyone shares the same fate – the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the ceremonially clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. What happens to the good person, also happens to the sinner; what happens to those who make vows, also happens to those who are afraid to make vows.

It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.

“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth – only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile – like chasing the wind!

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

Because of laziness the roof caves in, and because of idle hands the house leaks.

I thought to myself, “God will judge both the righteous and the wicked; for there is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed.

For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

Just as he came forth from his mother's womb, naked will he return as he came, and he will take nothing in his hand that he may carry away from his toil.

This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

I considered all the living who walk on earth, as well as the successor who would arise in his place.

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

For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless.

Surely no one knows the future, and no one can tell another person what will happen.

When a sentence is not executed at once against a crime, the human heart is encouraged to do evil.

Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, and shows everyone what a fool he is.

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it.