but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
12There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt; 13and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand. 14As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. 15And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind? 16All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath. 17Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion. 18Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God. 19For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
6 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men: 2a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. 3If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he; 4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; 5moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other; 6yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?
- 7All the labour of man is for his mouth,
- And yet the appetite is not filled.
8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living? 9Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10Whatsoever cometh into being, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is foreknown what man is; neither can he contend with Him that is mightier than he. 11Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
- 7 A good name is better than precious oil;
- And the day of death than the day of one's birth.
- 2It is better to go to the house of mourning,
- Than to go to the house of feasting;
- For that is the end of all men,
- And the living will lay it to his heart.
- 3Vexation is better than laughter;
- For by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.
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