Light ¹  is sweet, ²  and it is pleasant for a person ³  to see the sun. ⁴ 

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 ¹  for every deed.

At the beginning his words ¹  are foolish and at the end ²  his talk ³  is wicked madness, ⁴ 

The fool folds his hands and does no work, ¹  so he has nothing to eat but his own flesh. ² 

Not only that, ¹  but I have seen the wicked approaching ²  and entering the temple, ³  and as they left the holy temple, ⁴  they boasted ⁵  in the city that they had done so. This also is an enigma. ⁶ 

Feasts ¹  are made ²  for laughter, and wine makes life merry, ³  but money is the answer ⁴  for everything.

Even when a fool walks along the road he lacks sense, ¹  and shows ²  everyone what a fool he is. ³ 

There is nothing better for ¹  people ²  than ³  to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment ⁴  in their ⁵  work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment ⁶  comes from God. ⁷ 

What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth? ¹ 

Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil ¹  and chasing the wind.

Woe to you, O land, when your king is childish, ¹  and your princes feast in the morning!

Though the stillborn child ¹  came into the world ²  for no reason ³  and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, ⁴ 

A man who is all alone with no companion, ¹  he has no children nor siblings; ²  yet there is no end to all his toil, and he ³  is never satisfied with riches. He laments, ⁴  “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself ⁵  of pleasure?” ⁶  This also is futile and a burdensome task! ⁷ 

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: ¹  to eat and drink, ²  and find enjoyment in all their ³  hard work ⁴  on earth ⁵  during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward. ⁶ 

Not only was the Teacher wise, ¹  but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated ²  and arranged ³  many proverbs.

Who really knows if the human spirit ¹  ascends upward, and the animal’s spirit descends into the earth?

For ¹  there is not one truly ²  righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.

He who watches the wind will not sow, and he who observes the clouds will not reap. ¹ 

Rejoice, young man, while you are young, ¹  and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses ²  of your heart and the desires ³  of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions. ⁴ 

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