Ecclesiastes 2:13-24

¹³Then I saw that there is profite in wisdome, more then in follie: as the light is more excellent then darkenes.

¹⁴For the wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: yet I know also that the same condition falleth to them all.

¹⁵Then I thought in mine heart, It befalleth vnto me, as it befalleth to ye foole. Why therefore doe I then labour to be more wise? And I sayd in mine heart, that this also is vanitie.

¹⁶For there shalbe no remembrance of the wise, nor of the foole for euer: for that that now is, in the dayes to come shall all be forgotten. And howe dyeth the wise man, as doeth the foole?

¹⁷Therefore I hated life: for the worke that is wrought vnder the sunne is grieuous vnto me: for all is vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.

¹⁸I hated also all my labour, wherein I had trauailed vnder the sunne, which I shall leaue to the man that shalbe after me.

¹⁹And who knoweth whether he shalbe wise or foolish? yet shall hee haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue trauailed, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the sunne. This is also vanitie.

²⁰Therefore I went about to make mine heart abhorre all the labour, wherein I had trauailed vnder the sunne.

²¹For there is a man whose trauaile is in wisdome, and in knowledge and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not trauailed herein, shall he giue his portion: this also is vanitie and a great griefe.

²²For what hath man of all his trauaile and griefe of his heart, wherein he hath trauailed vnder the sunne?

²³For all his dayes are sorowes, and his trauaile griefe: his heart also taketh not rest in the night: which also is vanitie.

²⁴There is no profit to man: but that he eate, and drinke, and delight his soule with the profit of his labour: I saw also this, that it was of the hand of God.