For with great wisdom comes great frustration; whoever increases his knowledge merely increases his heartache.

I thought deeply about the effects of indulging myself with wine (all the while my mind was guiding me with wisdom) and the effects of behaving foolishly, so that I might discover what is profitable for people to do on earth during the few days of their lives.

I increased my possessions: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself.

I designed royal gardens and parks for myself, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.

I constructed pools of water for myself, to irrigate my grove of flourishing trees.

I also amassed silver and gold for myself, as well as valuable treasures taken from kingdoms and provinces. I acquired male singers and female singers for myself, and what gives a man sensual delight -- a harem of beautiful concubines!

So I was far wealthier than all my predecessors in Jerusalem, yet I maintained my objectivity:

I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort.

Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king's successor do than what the king has already done?

For the wise man, like the fool, will not be remembered for very long, because in the days to come, both will already have been forgotten. Alas, the wise man dies -- just like the fool!

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile -- like chasing the wind.

So I loathed all the fruit of my effort, for which I worked so hard on earth, because I must leave it behind in the hands of my successor.

Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so wisely on earth! This also is futile!

So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.

For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!

For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!

There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.

For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth -- only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile -- like chasing the wind!

For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth:

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,

and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God.

I also know that whatever God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken away from it. God has made it this way, so that men will fear him.

Whatever exists now has already been, and whatever will be has already been; for God will seek to do again what has occurred in the past.

I thought to myself, "God will judge both the righteous and the wicked; for there is an appropriate time for every activity, and there is a time of judgment for every deed.

I also thought to myself, "It is for the sake of people, so God can clearly show them that they are like animals.

For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people to enjoy their work, because that is their reward; for who can show them what the future holds?

A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task!

For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up.

For he came out of prison to become king, even though he had been born poor in what would become his kingdom.

Be careful what you do when you go to the temple of God; draw near to listen rather than to offer a sacrifice like fools, for they do not realize that they are doing wrong.

Do not be rash with your mouth or hasty in your heart to bring up a matter before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth! Therefore, let your words be few.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in paying it. For God takes no pleasure in fools: Pay what you vow!

It is better for you not to vow than to vow and not pay it.

Just as there is futility in many dreams, so also in many words. Therefore, fear God!

If you see the extortion of the poor, or the perversion of justice and fairness in the government, do not be astonished by the matter. For the high official is watched by a higher official, and there are higher ones over them!

This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.

For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.

Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,

if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!

All of man's labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach -- yet his appetite is never satisfied!

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind.

Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

It is better to go to a funeral than a feast. For death is the destiny of every person, and the living should take this to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter, because sober reflection is good for the heart.

It is better for a person to receive a rebuke from those who are wise than to listen to the song of fools.

For like the crackling of quick-burning thorns under a cooking pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This kind of folly also is useless.

Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these days?" for it is not wise to ask that.

For wisdom provides protection, just as money provides protection. But the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

Consider the work of God: For who can make straight what he has bent?

It is best to take hold of one warning without letting go of the other warning; for the one who fears God will follow both warnings.

For there is not one truly righteous person on the earth who continually does good and never sins.

For you know in your own heart that you also have cursed others many times.

Whatever has happened is beyond human understanding; it is far deeper than anyone can fathom.

Do not rush out of the king's presence in haste -- do not delay when the matter is unpleasant, for he can do whatever he pleases.

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, for the oppression of the king is severe upon his victim.

Even though a sinner might commit a hundred crimes and still live a long time, yet I know that it will go well with God-fearing people -- for they stand in fear before him.

But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

So I recommend the enjoyment of life, for there is nothing better on earth for a person to do except to eat, drink, and enjoy life. So joy will accompany him in his toil during the days of his life which God gives him on earth.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward -- and even the memory of them disappears.

Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.

Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge -- for time and chance may overcome them all.

If the anger of the ruler flares up against you, do not resign from your position, for a calm response can undo great offenses.

Feasts are made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.

Do not curse a king even in your thoughts, and do not curse the rich while in your bedroom; for a bird might report what you are thinking, or some winged creature might repeat your words.

Send your grain overseas, for after many days you will get a return.

Divide your merchandise among seven or even eight investments, for you do not know what calamity may happen on earth.

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not stop working until the evening; for you do not know which activity will succeed -- whether this one or that one, or whether both will prosper equally.

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for a person to see the sun.

Banish emotional stress from your mind. and put away pain from your body; for youth and the prime of life are fleeting.

Having heard everything, I have reached this conclusion: Fear God and keep his commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

For God will evaluate every deed, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.