A generation goes, a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.

All the rivers flow toward the sea, but the sea is never full; then rivers return to the headwaters where they began.

I told myself, "I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself." But this was pointless.

The wise use their eyes, but the fool walks in darkness. I also perceived that the same outcome affects them all.

After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

If they stumble, the first will lift up his friend but woe to anyone who is alone when he falls and there is no one to help him get up.

Again, if two lie close together, they will keep warm, but how can only one stay warm?

A poor but wise youth is better than an old but foolish king who will no longer accept correction.

There was no end to all of his subjects or to all of the people who had come before them. But those who come along afterward will not be happy with him. This is also pointless and a chasing after wind.

Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest.

and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances. Then a son is born, but there is nothing left for him.

a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart's desires but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous affliction.

A man might father a hundred children, and live for many years, so that the length of his life is long but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn't receive a proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children are better off than he is,

Every person works for his own self-interests, but his desires remain unsatisfied.

For the wise person thinks carefully when in mourning, but fools focus their thoughts on pleasure.

Indeed, wisdom gives protection, just like money does, but it's better to know that wisdom gives life, to those who have mastered it.

I used my wisdom to test all of this. I said, "I want to be wise," but it was beyond me.

I discovered for myself a bitterness that surpasses that of death: the woman whose heart is full of snares and nets, whose hands are chains of bondage. Whoever pleases God will escape from her, but the transgressor will be trapped by her.

Among the things I seek but have not found: one man among a thousand I did find, but I have not found one woman to be wise among all these.

I have discovered only this: God made human beings for righteousness, but they seek many alternatives."

So I watched the wicked being entombed. They used to come in and out of the Holy Place, but now they are forgotten in the city, where they used to work. This, too, is pointless.

But things will not go well for the wicked person: he will not lengthen his life like a shadow, since he has no fear before God.

At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.

Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.

A wise man's heart tends toward his right, but a fool's heart tends toward his left.

The words spoken by the wise are gracious, but the lips of a fool will devour him.

So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be encouraged during your younger days. Live as you like, consistent with your world view, but keep in mind that God will bring you to account for everything.