Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 - Is There Real Happiness In Life?
17 Therefore I hated life, for, a vexation unto me, was the work which was done under the sun, - for, all, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
18 Therefore hated, I, all my toil, wherein I was toiling, under the sun, - in that I should leave it for the man who should come after me; 19 and who could know whether a, wise man, he would be or a foolish, and yet he would lord it over all my toil, wherein I had toiled and wherein I had acted wisely, under the sun, - even this, was vanity. 20 Then resolved I, to give my heart over to despair, - concerning all the toil, wherein I had toiled, under the sun. 21 For here is a man, whose toil hath been with wisdom and with knowledge and with skill, - yet, to a man who hath not toiled therein, shall he leave it as his portion, even this, was vanity and a great vexation. 22 For what hath the man for all his toil, and for the striving of his heart, - wherein, he himself, toiled under the sun? 23 For, all his days, are pains, and, vexatious, is his employment, even in the night, his heart lieth not down, - even this, was, vanity.
24 There was nothing more blessed for Man than that he should eat and drink, and see his desireth for blessedness in his toil, - even this, saw, I myself, that, from the hand of God, it was. 25 For who could eat and who could enjoy, so well as I? 26 For, to a man who is good before him, hath he given wisdom and knowledge and gladness, - whereas, to the sinner, he hath given employment, to gather and heap up, to give to one who is good before God, even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.