Ecclesiastes 5:5-14 in English

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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!