I applied my mind to seek and to search by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. It [is] a grievous task God has given to {humans}.

I said {to myself}, "Come! I will test pleasure {to see whether it is worthwhile}." But look, "This also [is] vanity!"

{The wise man can see where he is walking}, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also realized that both of them suffer the same fate.

a time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to throw away;

I have seen the busyness God gives to {humans} to preoccupy them.

But better [off] than both of them is the one who has not yet been born and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence or [do not see] justice and righteousness in the province. For one official is watched by a higher official, and [there are] even higher officials over them!

When prosperity increases, those who consume it increase. {So its owner gains nothing, except to see his wealth before it is spent}.

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth {hoarded} by its owner to his harm.

Here is another misfortune that I have seen under the sun, and it [is] prevalent among humankind.

He has neither seen nor known the sun, yet he has more rest than him.

{Better to be content with what your eyes see than for your soul to constantly crave more}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!

I have seen all these things in my vain life: Sometimes a righteous man perishes in [spite of] his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked man lives a long life in [spite of] his evil.

I set my mind to try to seek wisdom and the plan, and to know that wickedness [is] foolishness and that folly [is] delusion.

I applied my mind to know wisdom and to understand the business that is done on earth--how neither day nor night one's eyes see sleep.

I have also seen this [example of] wisdom under the sun, and it [seemed] great to me.

There is an evil I have seen under the sun-- [it is] an error that proceeds from a ruler!

I have even seen slaves [riding] on horses and princes walking like slaves on the earth!

Sow your seed in the morning, and do not let your hands rest in the evening, for you do not know what will prosper-- whether this or that, or whether both of them alike will succeed.

The light is sweet, and it [is] pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

When the guards of the house tremble, and the men of strength are bent; the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows see dimly.