I saw something else on earth: In the place of justice, there was wickedness, and in the place of fairness, there was wickedness.

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:

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.

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.

Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb, my bride, honey and milk are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.

The earth is defiled by its inhabitants, for they have violated laws, disregarded the regulation, and broken the permanent treaty.

Since you are precious and special in my sight, and I love you, I will hand over people in place of you, nations in place of your life.

You were once abandoned and despised, with no one passing through, but I will make you a permanent source of pride and joy to coming generations.

Each had four faces; each had four wings and the form of human hands under the wings.

The desolate land will be plowed, instead of being desolate in the sight of everyone who passes by.

The grains of seed have shriveled beneath their shovels. Storehouses have been decimated and granaries have been torn down, for the grain has dried up.

I see the tents of Cushan overwhelmed by trouble; the tent curtains of the land of Midian are shaking.

This is how they will be repaid for their arrogance, for they taunted and verbally harassed the people of the Lord who commands armies.

(21:37) “If a man steals an ox or a sheep and kills it or sells it, he must pay back five head of cattle for the ox, and four sheep for the one sheep.

And take the Levites for me – I am the Lord – instead of all the firstborn males among the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

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.

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.

A putrid stench will replace the smell of spices, a rope will replace a belt, baldness will replace braided locks of hair, a sackcloth garment will replace a fine robe, and a prisoner’s brand will replace beauty.