'Beings' in the Bible

I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life.

I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

I have observed the burdens placed by God on human beings in order to perfect them.

"As for human beings," I told myself, "God puts them to the test, that they might see themselves as mere animals."

Who knows whether the spirit of human beings ascends, and whether the spirit of animals descends to the earth?

There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings:

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

There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead.

In addition, no human being knows his time: Like fish captured in a cruel net, or as birds caught in a snare, so also are human beings caught by bad timing that surprises them.