I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure and gratification; so enjoy yourself and have a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness).

insomuch that I said unto laughter, "Thou art mad," and to mirth, "What doest thou?"

I said to myself, “This happens concerning people, so that God may test them and they may see for themselves that they are like animals.”

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

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

Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this.

Do not much wrong, neither be thou a fool, why dost thou die within thy time?

It is good that thou dost lay hold on this, and also, from that withdrawest not thy hand, for whoso is fearing God goeth out with them all.

All this I have put to the test by wisdom; I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me.

Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.

Send forth thy bread on the face of the waters, For in the multitude of the days thou dost find it.

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.