Can one say about anything,
“Look, this is new”?
It has already existed in the ages before us.

There is no remembrance of those who came before;
and of those who will come after
there will also be no remembrance
by those who follow them.

I said to myself, “Look, I have amassed wisdom far beyond all those who were over Jerusalem before me, and my mind has thoroughly grasped wisdom and knowledge.”

I acquired male and female servants and had slaves who were born in my house. I also owned many herds of cattle and flocks, more than all who were before me in Jerusalem.

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.

There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

Although a sinner commits crime a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I also know that it will go well with God-fearing people, for they are reverent before Him.

However, it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not lengthen their days like a shadow, for they are not reverent before God.

If the snake bites before it is charmed,
then there is no advantage for the charmer.

So remember your Creator in the days of your youth:

Before the days of adversity come,
and the years approach when you will say,
“I have no delight in them”;

before the sun and the light are darkened,
and the moon and the stars,
and the clouds return after the rain;

before the silver cord is snapped,
and the gold bowl is broken,
and the jar is shattered at the spring,
and the wheel is broken into the well;