For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.

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

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.

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile – like chasing the wind.

Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. There is no end to the making of many books, and much study is exhausting to the body.

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!

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?

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.

Do not rush out of the king’s presence in haste – do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time – with self-control and not in drunkenness.

Is there anything about which someone can say, “Look at this! It is new!”? It was already done long ago, before our time.

Fools are placed in many positions of authority, while wealthy men sit in lowly positions.

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.”

There is no end to all the people nor to the past generations, yet future generations will not rejoice in him. This also is profitless and like chasing the wind.

Here is another enigma that occurs on earth: Sometimes there are righteous people who get what the wicked deserve, and sometimes there are wicked people who get what the righteous deserve. I said, “This also is an enigma.”

and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up – because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets –

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

For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears.

The words of the sages are like prods, and the collected sayings are like firmly fixed nails; they are given by one shepherd.