Ecclesiastes 5:3-20 in English

³ For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:

¹⁴ and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth from his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ Whenever thou shalt vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay thou therefore whatsoever thou shalt have vowed.

⁴ It is better that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁵ Suffer not thy mouth to lead thy flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error: lest God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the works of thy hands.

⁶ For there is evil in a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear thou God.

⁷ If thou shouldest see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgment and of justice in the land, wonder not at the matter: for there is a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them.

⁸ Also the abundance of the earth is for every one: the king is dependent on the tilled field.

⁹ He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver: and who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof? this is also vanity.

¹⁰ In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes?

¹¹ The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but to one who is satiated with wealth, there is none that suffers him to sleep.

¹² There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

¹³ And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁴ As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go with him in his hand.

¹⁵ And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours?

¹⁶ Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

¹⁷ Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labour in which he may labour under the sun, all the number of the days of his life which God has given to him: for it is his portion.

¹⁸ Yea, and as for every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

¹⁹ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ Whenever you shall vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay you therefore whatever you shall have vowed.

⁴ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁵ Suffer not your mouth to lead your flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error: lest God be angry at your voice, and destroy the works of your hands.

⁶ For there is evil in a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear you God.

⁷ If you should see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgment and of justice in the land, wonder not at the matter: for there is a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them.

⁸ Also the abundance of the earth is for every one: the king is dependent on the tilled field.

⁹ He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver: and who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof? this is also vanity.

¹⁰ In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes?

¹¹ The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but to one who is satiated with wealth, there is none that suffers him to sleep.

¹² There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

¹³ And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁴ As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labor, that it should go with him in his hand.

¹⁵ And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labors?

¹⁶ Yes, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

¹⁷ Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labor in which he may labor under the sun, all the number of the days of his life which God has given to him: for it is his portion.

¹⁸ Yes, and as for every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.

¹⁹ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh with a multitude of business; and a fool’s voice with a multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

⁷ For thus it cometh to pass through the multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:

¹⁴ and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed and hath sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ If you are continually thinking and worrying about things, you will have bad dreams about them and not rest well. And the more you talk, the more likely it will be that you will say things that are foolish.

⁴ When you solemnly promise God that you will do something, do not be foolish by delaying in doing it, because God is not pleased with foolish people. Do all the things that you promise God that you will do.

⁵ It is better to not promise anything than to promise to do something, and then not doing it.

⁶ Do not sin by promising to do something and then not doing it. And when you promise God to do something and do not do it, do not say to God's priest that it was a mistake for you to promise to do that. If you do that, God will certainly RHQ become very angry with you, and he will take from you everything that you SYN have worked to acquire.

⁷ Promising to do something and not doing it is like SIM a dream that has no value; instead, revere God by doing what you promised him that you would do.

⁸ Do not be surprised if you see poor people being ◄oppressed/treated cruelly► by powerful/influential people, or if you see judges making unjust decisions throughout the land. That happens because the people who do that are supervised and cheated by more important officials DOU,

⁹ and even the king forces the people to give him some of the crops that they harvest.

¹⁰ Everyone who tries to get as much money as they can will never think that they have enough. They will never be satisfied with the money that they have. That also is senseless.

¹¹ The more money that we have, the more people want us to spend our money to buy things for them. So people who have a lot of money do not RHQ benefit from it; they see MTY it when they get it, but it soon ◄disappears/is completely spent►.

¹² Those who work hard sleep peacefully at night, even if they do not have much food to eat. But rich people do not sleep well, because they worry about their money.

¹³ I have seen another terrible thing that happens here on the earth MTY: People save up all their money and become rich, but they are not helped by saving a lot of money,

¹⁴ because something happens that causes their money to be gone, and when they die, there is no money for their children to get/inherit.

¹⁵ When we are born, we do not bring anything with us, and when we die, we take nothing with us from all that we have earned by our working hard.

¹⁶ That also seems senseless. People bring nothing into the world when they are born, and they leave this world taking nothing with them. They have worked hard, but they receive no lasting benefit MET.

¹⁷ Furthermore, rich people are always miserable MET and sad, and depressed/discouraged and often sick and ◄resentful/thinking that what has happened to them is unfair►.

¹⁸ So, the best thing for people to do here on the earth during the few years that God allows them to be alive is to eat and drink and to enjoy their work, because those are the things that God has given to them.

¹⁹ If people are rich and have a lot of possessions, and are able to ◄enjoy/be happy with► the things that they have and to enjoy their work, those things are also gifts from God.

²⁰ Those people do not worry much about everything that has happened during the time that they have been alive, because God enables them to be happy doing everything that they do.

³ Whenever you shall vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay you therefore whatever you shall have vowed.

⁴ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁵ Suffer not your mouth to lead your flesh to sin; and say not in the presence of God, It was an error: lest God be angry at your voice, and destroy the works of your hands.

⁶ For there is evil in a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: but fear you God.

⁷ If you should see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgement and of justice in the land, wonder not at the matter: for there is a high one to watch over him that is high, and high ones over them.

⁸ Also the abundance of the earth is for every one: the king is dependent on the tilled field.

⁹ He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver: and who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof? this is also vanity.

¹⁰ In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes?

¹¹ The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but to one who is satiated with wealth, there is none that suffers him to sleep.

¹² There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

¹³ And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁴ As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, he shall return back as he came, and he shall receive nothing for his labour, that it should go with him in his hand.

¹⁵ And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours?

¹⁶ Yes, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

¹⁷ Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labour in which he may labour under the sun, all the number of the days of his life which God has given to him: for it is his portion.

¹⁸ Yes, and as for every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

¹⁹ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labours for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, in which he labours under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ As a dream comes from much business, so the voice of a foolish man comes with words in great number.

⁴ When you take an oath before God, put it quickly into effect, because he has no pleasure in the foolish; keep the oath you have taken.

⁵ It is better not to take an oath than to take an oath and not keep it.

⁶ Let not your mouth make your flesh do evil. And say not before the angel, It was an error. So that God may not be angry with your words and put an end to the work of your hands.

⁷ Because much talk comes from dreams and things of no purpose. But let the fear of God be in you.

⁸ If you see the poor under a cruel yoke, and law and right being violently overturned in a country, be not surprised, because one authority is keeping watch on another and there are higher than they.

⁹ It is good generally for a country where the land is worked to have a king.

¹⁰ He who has a love for silver never has enough silver, or he who has love for wealth, enough profit. This again is to no purpose.

¹¹ When goods are increased, the number of those who take of them is increased; and what profit has the owner but to see them?

¹² The sleep of a working man is sweet, if he has little food or much; but to him who is full, sleep will not come.

¹³ There is a great evil which I have seen under the sun — wealth kept by the owner to be his downfall.

¹⁴ And I saw the destruction of his wealth by an evil chance; and when he became the father of a son he had nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came from his mother at birth, so does he go again; he gets from his work no reward which he may take away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days are in the dark, and he has much sorrow, pain, disease, and trouble.

¹⁸ This is what I have seen: it is good and fair for a man to take meat and drink and to have joy in all his work under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; that is his reward.

¹⁹ Every man to whom God has given money and wealth and the power to have pleasure in it and to do his part and have joy in his work: this is given by God.

²⁰ He will not give much thought to the days of his life; because God lets him be taken up with the joy of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business, and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an inadvertence. Wherefore should God be wroth at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams are vanities; so with many words: but fear God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter; for a higher than the high is watching, and there are higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the earth is every way profitable: the king himself is dependent upon the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what profit is there to the owner thereof, except the beholding of them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of the labourer is sweet, whether he have eaten little or much; but the fulness of the rich doth not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt;

¹⁴ or those riches perish by some evil circumstance, and if he have begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go away again as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came so doth he go away, and what profit hath he, in having laboured for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and hath much vexation, and sickness, and irritation.

¹⁸ Behold what I have seen good and comely: it is to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour wherewith man laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for that is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and power to eat thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour: that is a gift of God.

²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life, because God answereth him with the joy of his heart.

³ If thou hast vowed any thing to God, defer not to pay it: for an unfaithful and foolish promise displeaseth him: but whatsoever thou hast vowed, pay it.

⁴ And it is much better not to vow, than after a vow not to perform the things promised.

⁵ Give not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin: and say not before the angel: There is no providence: lest God be angry at thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands.

⁶ Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities, and words without number: but do thou fear God.

⁷ If thou shalt see the oppressions of the poor, and violent judgments, and justice perverted in the province, wonder not at this matter: for he that is high hath another higher, and there are others still higher than these:

⁸ Moreover there is the king that reigneth over all the land subject to him.

⁹ A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loveth riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity.

¹⁰ Where there are great riches, there are also many to eat them. And what doth it profit the owner, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes?

¹¹ Sleep is sweet to a labouring man, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹² There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner.

¹³ For they are lost with very great affliction: he hath begotten a son, who shall be in extremity of want.

¹⁴ As he came forth naked from his mother’s womb, so shall he return, and shall take nothing away with him of his labour.

¹⁵ A most deplorable evil: as he came, so shall he return. What then doth it profit him that he hath laboured for the wind?

¹⁶ All the days of his life he eateth in darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, and sorrow.

¹⁷ This therefore hath seemed good to me, that a man should eat and drink, and enjoy the fruit of his labour, wherewith he hath laboured under the sun, all the days of his life, which God hath given him: and this is his portion.

¹⁸ And every man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to enjoy his portion, and to rejoice of his labour: this is the gift of God.

¹⁹ For he shall not much remember the days of his life, because God entertaineth his heart with delight,

³ When you worry too much, you get nightmares; when you talk too much, you say foolish things.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, with a curse on you if you don't keep it, don't be slow in keeping it, for he is not happy with foolish behavior. So do what you promised!

⁵ Better not to make any vows at all than to make vow you don't keep.

⁶ Don't let your mouth cause you to sin. And don't tell the priest that your vow was a mistake, for why would you antagonize God by breaking your promise? He could bring your own curse down on you.

⁷ There are certainly many dreams, questions of meaning, and lots of different ideas, but you are to follow God.

⁸ If you see poor people somewhere being oppressed, or truth and justice violated, don't be shocked at it, for every official is responsible to others higher up, and there are officials over them as well.

⁹ However, what the land produces is for everyone—even the king benefits from what is grown.

¹⁰ People who love money never have enough money; those who love wealth never have enough income. This too is so temporary and makes little sense.

¹¹ The more you earn, the more you have eating into your income. It only looks like you have more!

¹² Those who work hard sleep well, whether they have a little to eat or plenty, but the rich own so much they don't get any rest.

¹³ I observed something here that is really sickening: people who hoard money damage themselves.

¹⁴ They put their money into bad investments and lose everything. Now when we're born, we don't bring anything into the world.

¹⁵ When we die, we leave just as naked as when we were born, taking nothing with us from all we've worked for.

¹⁶ This also makes me sick! What do people gain, working for the wind?

¹⁷ They live their lives in darkness, very frustrated, sick, and resentful.

¹⁸ But I observed that what is good and right is to eat, drink, and to find enjoyment in the work God gives us here in this life. This is God's gift to us.

¹⁹ In addition, everyone to whom God gives wealth and possessions he also gives the ability to enjoy these gifts, to be grateful for what they are given, and to enjoy the work they do. This is also God's gift to us.

²⁰ In fact such people have little time to think about life because God keeps them busy with all that makes them happy.

³ When thou hast vowed a vowe to God, deferre not to pay it: for he deliteth not in fooles: pay therefore that thou hast vowed.

⁴ It is better that thou shouldest not vowe, then that thou shouldest vow and not pay it.

⁵ Suffer not thy mouth to make thy flesh to sinne: neither say before the Angel, that this is ignorance: wherefore shall God bee angry by thy voyce, and destroy the worke of thine hands?

⁶ For in the multitude of dreames, and vanities are also many wordes: but feare thou God.

⁷ If in a countrey thou seest the oppression of the poore, and the defrauding of iudgement and iustice, be not astonied at the matter: for hee that is higher then the highest, regardeth, and there be higher then they.

⁸ And the abundance of the earth is ouer all: the King also consisteth by the fielde that is tilled.

⁹ He that loueth siluer, shall not be satisfied with siluer, and he that loueth riches, shalbe without the fruite thereof: this also is vanitie.

¹⁰ When goods increase, they are increased that eate them: and what good commeth to the owners thereof, but the beholding thereof with their eyes?

¹¹ The sleepe of him that traueileth, is sweete, whether he eate litle or much: but the sacietie of the riche will not suffer him to sleepe.

¹² There is an euill sickenes that I haue seene vnder the sunne: to wit, riches reserued to the owners thereof for their euill.

¹³ And these riches perish by euill trauel, and he begetteth a sonne, and in his hand is nothing.

¹⁴ As hee came foorth of his mothers belly, he shall returne naked to goe as he came, and shall beare away nothing of his labour, which hee hath caused to passe by his hand.

¹⁵ And this also is an euill sickenes that in all pointes as he came, so shall he goe, and what profit hath he that he hath traueiled for the winde?

¹⁶ Also all his dayes hee eateth in darkenes with much griefe, and in his sorowe and anger.

¹⁷ Beholde then, what I haue seene good, that it is comely to eate, and to drinke, and to take pleasure in all his labour, wherein he traueileth vnder the sunne, the whole nomber of the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for this is his portion.

¹⁸ Also to euery man to whom God hath giuen riches and treasures, and giueth him power to eate thereof, and to take his part, and to enioy his labour: this is the gift of God.

¹⁹ Surely hee will not much remember the dayes of his life, because God answereth to the ioy of his heart.

³ (5-2) For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.

⁴ (5-3) When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.

⁵ (5-4) Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ (5-5) Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ (5-6) For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou God.

⁸ (5-7) If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.

⁹ (5-8) But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.

¹⁰ (5-9) He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.

¹¹ (5-10) When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?

¹² (5-11) Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ (5-12) There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;

¹⁴ (5-13) and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ (5-14) As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ (5-15) And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind?

¹⁷ (5-16) All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ (5-17) Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ (5-18) Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour — this is the gift of God.

²⁰ (5-19) For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ (5:2) For a dream cometh through being much employed with something, and the voice of a fool cometh with a multitude of words.

⁴ (5:3) When thou makest a vow unto God, do not delay to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in such fools: that which thou hast vowed must thou pay.

⁵ (5:4) It is better that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.

⁶ (5:5) Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy body to sin; and say thou not before the messenger, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry because of thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ (5:6) For in the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but rather fear thou God.

⁸ (5:7) If thou see the oppression of the poor, and violence done to justice and righteousness in a province, do not feel astounded at the matter; for one that is high watcheth over the high; and over them, the highest Power.

⁹ (5:8) But the advantage of a land in all things is, a king who is subject to the country.

¹⁰ (5:9) He that loveth money will never be satisfied with money; nor he that loveth abundance, with any increase. Also this is vanity.

¹¹ (5:10) When prosperity increaseth, those that consume it likewise increase: and what advantage is there to its owner, saving to see it with his eyes?

¹² (5:11) Sweet is the sleep of the laboring man, whether he eat little or much; but the overabundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ (5:12) There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches reserved for their owner to his own hurt.

¹⁴ (5:13) And these riches are lost through an unfortunate event; and he begetteth a son, and hath not the least in his hand:

¹⁵ (5:14) As he came forth out of his mother's womb, naked will he return to go as he came; and not the least will he carry off for his toil, which he might take away with him.

¹⁶ (5:15) And also this is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so must he go: and what profit hath he that hath toiled for the wind?

¹⁷ (5:16) All his days also had he to eat in darkness, and hath had much vexation and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ (5:17) Behold, what I have truly seen as a good thing, that it is fitting to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all one's toil that he taketh under the sun the number of the days of his life, which God hath given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ (5:18) Also every man to whom God hath given riches and property, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his toil— this is the gift of God.

²⁰ (5:19) Let him then remember, that the days of his life are not many, that God hath answered him with the joy of his heart.

³ Whenever thou shalt vow a vow to God, Defer not to pay it; For he has no pleasure in fools: Pay thou therefore whatsoever thou shalt have vowed.

⁴ It is better that thou shouldest not vow, Than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

⁵ Suffer not thy mouth to lead thy flesh to sin; And say not in the presence of God, It was an error: Lest God be angry at thy voice, And destroy the works of thy hands.

⁶ For there is evil in a multitude of dreams and vanities and many words: But fear thou God.

⁷ If thou shouldest see the oppression of the poor, and the wresting of judgment and of justice in the land, Wonder not at the matter: For there is a high one to watch over him that is high, And high ones over them.

⁸ Also the abundance of the earth is for everyone: The king is dependent on the tilled field.

⁹ He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver: And who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof? This is also vanity.

¹⁰ In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: And what virtue has the owner, But the right of beholding it with his eyes?

¹¹ The sleep of a servant is sweet, Whether he eat little or much: But to one who is satiated with wealth, There is none that suffers him to sleep.

¹² There is an infirmity which I have seen under the sun, Namely, wealth kept for its owner to his hurt.

¹³ And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: And the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁴ As he came forth naked from his mother’s womb, He shall return back as he came, And he shall receive nothing for his labor, That it should go with him in his hand.

¹⁵ And this is also an evil infirmity: For as he came, so also shall he return: And what is his gain, for which he vainly labors?

¹⁶ Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, And much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

¹⁷ Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man To eat and to drink, And to see good In all his labor in Which he may labor under the sun, All the number of the days of his life Which God has given to him: For it is his portion.

¹⁸ Yea, and as for every man to whom God has given Wealth and possessions, and has given him Power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, And to rejoice in his labor; This is the gift of God.

¹⁹ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; For God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh with much bustle, and a fool's voice with a multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow to God, delay not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools. Pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldst not vow than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to bring punishment on thy flesh, and say not before the angel, “It was a mistake.” Wherefore should God be angry on account of thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ For in a multitude of dreams is a multitude of vanities; so also in a multitude of words; but fear thou God!

⁸ If thou seest oppression of the poor, and justice and equity perverted in a province, be not alarmed at the matter. For over the high there is a higher, who watcheth, and there is one higher than they all.

⁹ An advantage to a land in all respects is a king over cultivated ground.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; and he that loveth riches shall have no profit from them. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage hath the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?

¹² Sweet is the sleep of a laboring man, whether he have eaten little or much; but the repletion of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, — riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt.

¹⁴ For those riches perish by some calamity, and, if he have a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came forth from his mother's womb naked, so shall he go away again, as he came, and shall take away nothing of his labor which he may carry in his hand.

¹⁶ This is also a sore evil, that, in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit is there to him who toileth for wind?

¹⁷ Also all his days he ate in darkness, and had much grief and anxiety and vexation.

¹⁸ Behold, what I have seen is, that it is good and proper for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor which he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him; for it is his portion.

¹⁹ To whatever man also God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him to enjoy them, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life; for God answereth him with the joy of his heart.

³ If you have too many things to do and worry about, you will probably have bad dreams. The more words you speak, the more foolish things you will probably say.

⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to do it, for God has no pleasure in fools. Do what you vow you will do.

⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one that you do not carry out.

⁶ Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin. Do not say to the priest's messenger, “That vow was a mistake.” Why make God angry by vowing falsely, provoking God to destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in many dreams, as in many words, there is meaningless vapor. So fear God.

⁸ When you see the poor being oppressed and robbed of just and right treatment in your province, do not be astonished as if no one knows, because there are people in power who watch those under them, and there are even higher ones over them.

⁹ In addition, the produce of the land is for everyone, and the king himself takes produce from the fields.

¹⁰ Anyone who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, and anyone who loves wealth always wants more. This, too, is vapor.

¹¹ As prosperity increases, so also do the people who consume it. What advantage in wealth is there to the owner except to watch it with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a working man is sweet, whether he eats little or a lot, but the wealth of a rich person does not allow him to sleep well.

¹³ There is an evil that I have seen under the sun: riches hoarded by the owner, resulting in his own misery.

¹⁴ When the rich man loses his wealth through bad luck, his own son, one whom he has fathered, is left with nothing in his hands.

¹⁵ As a man comes from his mother's womb, so also he will leave naked. He can take none of the fruits of his labor in his hand.

¹⁶ Another evil is that as a person comes, so he goes away. So what profit is there for him who works for the wind?

¹⁷ During his days he eats with darkness and is greatly distressed with sickness and anger.

¹⁸ Look, what I have seen to be good and suitable is to eat and drink and to enjoy the gain from all our work, as we labor under the sun during the days of this life that God has given us. For this is man's assignment.

¹⁹ Anyone to whom God has given riches and wealth and the ability to receive his share and rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God.

²⁰ For he does not call to mind very often the days of his life, because God makes him keep busy with the things that he enjoys doing.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labours for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, in which he labours under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by a multitude of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

⁵ Better is it that thou shouldst not vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: why should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perversion of judgment and justice in a province, wonder not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there are higher than they.

⁹ Moreover, the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.

¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners of them, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eateth little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely , riches kept for the owners of them to their hurt.

¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil labor: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came into the world, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath labored for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.

¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.

⁵ It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.

⁶ Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

⁷ For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words; but you must fear God.

⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter, for one official is eyed by a higher one, and there are officials over them.

⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

¹⁰ He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

¹¹ When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

¹³ There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

¹⁴ Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

¹⁵ As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.

¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labours for the wind?

¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.

¹⁸ Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour, in which he labours under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.

³ Dreams follow many busynesses, and folly shall be found in many words.

⁴ If thou hast avowed anything to God, tarry thou not to yield it; for an unfaithful and fond promise displeaseth him; but yield thou whatever thing thou hast avowed;

⁵ and it is much better to make not a vow, than after a vow to yield not the promises.

⁶ Give thou not thy mouth, that thou make thy flesh to do sin; neither say thou before an angel, No purvey-ance there is; lest peradventure the Lord be wroth on thy words, and destroy all the works of thine hands.

⁷ Where be many dreams, be full many vanities, and words without number; but dread thou God.

⁸ If thou seest false challenges of needy men, and violent dooms, and that rightfulness is destroyed in the province, wonder thou not on this doing; for another is higher than an high man, and also other men be more high above these men;

⁹ and furthermore the king of all earth commandeth to the servant.

¹⁰ An avaricious man shall not be ful filled of money; and he that loveth riches shall not take fruits of them; and therefore this is vanity.

¹¹ Where there be many riches, also many men there be, that eat those; and what profiteth it to the holder, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes?

¹² Sleep is sweet to him that worketh, whether he eat little either much; but the fullness of a rich man suffereth not him to sleep.

¹³ Also another sickness is full evil, which I saw under the sun; riches be kept into the harm of their lord.

¹⁴ For they perish in the worst torment; he begat a son, that shall be in sovereign neediness.

¹⁵ As he went naked out of his mother’s womb, so he shall turn again; and he shall take away with him nothing of his travail.

¹⁶ Utterly it is a wretched sickness; as he came, so he shall turn again. What profiteth it to him, that he travailed into the wind?

¹⁷ In all the days of his life he ate in darknesses, and in many busynesses, and in neediness, and sorrow.

¹⁸ Therefore this seemed good to me, that a man eat, and drink, and use gladness of his travail, in which he travailed under the sun, in the number of the days of his life, which God gave to him; and this is his part.

¹⁹ And to each man, to whom God gave riches, and chattel or substance, and gave power to him to eat of those, and to use his part, and to be glad of his travail; this is the gift of God.

²⁰ For he shall not think much on the days of his life, for God occupieth his heart with delights.

³ Dreams follow many busynesses, and folly shall be found in many words.

⁴ If thou hast avowed anything to God, tarry thou not to yield it; for an unfaithful and fond promise displeaseth him; but yield thou whatever thing thou hast avowed;

⁵ and it is much better to make not a vow, than after a vow to yield not the promises. (and it is much better to not make a vow, than to make a vow and then not yield the promises.)

⁶ Give thou not thy mouth, that thou make thy flesh to do sin; neither say thou before an angel, No purveyance there is; lest peradventure the Lord be wroth on thy words, and destroy all the works of thine hands. (Give thou not thy mouth, that thou make thy flesh to do sin; nor then say thou before an angel, This is but a mistake; lest perhaps the Lord be angry with thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands.)

⁷ Where be many dreams, be full many vanities, and words without number; but dread thou God. (Where there be many dreams, there is much that is empty and futile, and words without number; rather, fear thou God, or have thou reverence for God.)

⁸ If thou seest false challenges of needy men, and violent dooms, (or If thou seest the poor oppressed, and grave injustice), and that rightfulness is destroyed in the province, wonder thou not on this doing; for another is higher than an high man, and also other men be more high above these men;

⁹ and furthermore the king of all (the) earth commandeth to the servant. (and ultimately the King of all the earth commandeth to all his servants.)

¹⁰ An avaricious man shall not be ful filled of money; and he that loveth riches shall not take (the) fruits of them; and therefore this is vanity. (A greedy person shall never be fulfilled, or filled full, with money; and he who loveth riches shall never truly enjoy their fruits, or their earnings; and so this is empty and futile.)

¹¹ Where there be many riches, also many men there be, that eat those, (or Where there be many riches, there also be many people, who shall eat them); and what profiteth it to the holder, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes?

¹² Sleep is sweet to him that worketh, whether he eat little either much; but the fullness of a rich man suffereth not him to sleep. (Sleep is sweet to him who worketh, whether he eat a little or a great deal; but a rich person’s fullness will not allow him to sleep.)

¹³ Also another sickness is full evil, which I saw under the sun; riches (that) be kept into the harm of their lord.

¹⁴ For they perish in the worst torment; (and) he begat a son, that shall be in sovereign neediness. (And then those riches be lost in a terrible calamity; and so he hath begotten a son, who shall be left in great neediness.)

¹⁵ As he went naked out of his mother’s womb, so he shall turn again; and he shall take away with him nothing of his travail. (As he went naked out of his mother’s womb, so he shall return; and he shall not take away with him anything gained from all his labour.)

¹⁶ Utterly it is a wretched sickness; as he came, so he shall turn again. What profiteth it to him, that he travailed into the wind? (Yea, it is utterly a wretched sickness; as he came, so he shall return. What hath it profited him? he hath only laboured for the wind!)

¹⁷ In all the days of his life he ate in darknesses, and in many busynesses, and in neediness, and sorrow.

¹⁸ Therefore this seemed good to me, that a man eat, and drink, and use gladness of his travail, in which he travailed under the sun, in the number of days of his life, which God gave to him; and this is his part. (And so it seemed good to me, that a person should eat, and drink, and enjoy, or get happiness from, the fruits of his labour, for which he laboured under the sun, in the days of his life, which God gave to him; yea, this is his portion.)

¹⁹ And to each man, to whom God gave riches, and chattel, and gave power to him to eat of those, and to use his part, and to be glad of his travail; this is the gift of God. (And to each person, to whom God gave riches, and substance, and gave the power to him to enjoy them, and to use his portion, and to be happy in his labour, or in his work; this is the gift of God.)

²⁰ For he shall not think much on the days of his life, for God occupieth his heart with delights.

³ For the dream hath come by abundance of business, and the voice of a fool by abundance of words.

⁴ When thou vowest a vow to God, delay not to complete it, for there is no pleasure in fools; that which thou vowest — complete.

⁵ Better that thou do not vow, than that thou dost vow and dost not complete.

⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that 'it is an error,' why is God wroth because of thy voice, and hath destroyed the work of thy hands?

⁷ For, in the abundance of dreams both vanities and words abound; but fear thou God.

⁸ If oppression of the poor, and violent taking away of judgment and righteousness thou seest in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for a higher than the high is observing, and high ones are over them.

⁹ And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served.

¹⁰ Whoso is loving silver is not satisfied with silver, nor he who is in love with stores with increase. Even this is vanity.

¹¹ In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied, and what benefit is to its possessor except the sight of his eyes?

¹² Sweet is the sleep of the labourer whether he eat little or much; and the sufficiency of the wealthy is not suffering him to sleep.

¹³ There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.

¹⁴ And that wealth hath been lost in an evil business, and he hath begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand!

¹⁵ As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand.

¹⁶ And this also is a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage is to him who laboureth for wind?

¹⁷ Also all his days in darkness he consumeth, and sadness, and wrath, and sickness abound.

¹⁸ Lo, that which I have seen: It is good, because beautiful, to eat, and to drink, and to see good in all one's labour that he laboureth at under the sun, the number of the days of his life that God hath given to him, for it is his portion.

¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given wealth and riches, and hath given him power to eat of it, and to accept his portion, and to rejoice in his labour, this is a gift of God.

²⁰ For he doth not much remember the days of his life, for God is answering through the joy of his heart.