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.

If the clouds are full of rain, they will empty themselves on the earth, and whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, the tree will lie wherever it falls.

when those who keep watch over the house begin to tremble, and the virile men begin to stoop over, and the grinders begin to cease because they grow few, and those who look through the windows grow dim,

What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth?

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

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

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

What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?

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.

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!

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!

Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years – even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity – even if he were to live forever – I would say, “A stillborn child is better off than he is!”

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: “All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless – like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth.”

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.

and the doors along the street are shut; when the sound of the grinding mill grows low, and one is awakened by the sound of a bird, and all their songs grow faint,

I have observed the burden that God has given to people to keep them occupied.

The produce of the land is seized by all of them, even the king is served by the fields.

Obey the king’s command, because you took an oath before God to be loyal to him.

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

A wise person’s good sense protects him, but a fool’s lack of sense leaves him vulnerable.