1  THE WORDS OF the Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2  Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

2  Ecclesiastes said: Vanity of vanities! Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity!

3  What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun?

3  What advantage is there to a man in all his labour that he takes under the sun?

3  What more does a man have from all his labor, as he labors under the sun?

4  One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; and the earth abideth for ever.

4  A generation goes, and a generation comes: but the earth stands for ever.

5  The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he ariseth.

5  The sun rises and sets; it returns to its place, and from there, being born again,

6  The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its circuit, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.

6  arising there it proceeds southward, and goes round toward the north. The wind goes round and round, and the wind returns to its circuits.

6  it circles through the south, and arcs toward the north. The spirit continues on, illuminating everything in its circuit, and turning again in its cycle.

7  All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.

7  All rivers enter into the sea, and the sea does not overflow. To the place from which the rivers go out, they return, so that they may flow again.

8  All things toil to weariness; man cannot utter it, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.

8  All things are full of labour; a man will not be able to speak of them: neither shall the eye be satisfied with seeing, neither shall the ear be filled with hearing.

8  Such things are difficult; man is not able to explain them with words. The eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor is the ear fulfilled by hearing.

9  That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.

9  What is that which has been? the very thing which shall be: and what is that which has been done? the very thing which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.

9  What is it that has existed? The same shall exist in the future. What is it that has been done? The same shall continue to be done.

10  Is there a thing whereof it is said: 'See, this is new'?--it hath been already, in the ages which were before us.

10  Who is he that shall speak and say, Behold, this is new? it has already been in the ages that have passed before us.

10  There is nothing new under the sun. Neither is anyone able to say: “Behold, this is new!” For it has already been brought forth in the ages that were before us.

11  There is no remembrance of them of former times; neither shall there be any remembrance of them of latter times that are to come, among those that shall come after.

11  There is no memorial to the first things; neither to the things that have been last shall their memorial be with them that shall at the last time.

12  I Koheleth have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

12  I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.

12  I, Ecclesiastes, was king of Israel at Jerusalem.

13  And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

13  And I was determined in my mind to seek and to investigate wisely, concerning all that is done under the sun. God has given this very difficult task to the sons of men, so that they may be occupied by it.

13  And I gave my heart to seek to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; to be engaged in it is a difficult task that God has given to the sons of men.

14  I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

14  I beheld all the works that were wrought under the sun; and, beheld, all were vanity and waywardness of spirit.

15  That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.

15  The perverse are unwilling to be corrected, and the number of the foolish is boundless.

15  The chaotic cannot be made orderly; and he who is lacking knowledge cannot be supplied with it.

16  I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Jerusalem'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.

16  I spoke in my heart, saying, Behold, I am increased, and have acquired wisdom beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem: also I applied my heart to know wisdom and knowledge.

16  I have spoken in my heart, saying: “Behold, I have achieved greatness, and I have surpassed all the wise who were before me in Jerusalem.” And my mind has contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned.

17  And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly--I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

17  And I have dedicated my heart, so that I may know prudence and doctrine, and also error and foolishness. Yet I recognize that, in these things also, there is hardship, and affliction of the spirit.

18  For in much wisdom is much vexation; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

18  Because of this, with much wisdom there is also much anger. And whoever adds knowledge, also adds hardship.

2:1  I said in my heart: 'Come now, I will try thee with mirth, and enjoy pleasure'; and, behold, this also was vanity.

1  I said in my heart: “I will go forth and overflow with delights, and I will enjoy good things.” And I saw that this, too, is emptiness.

1  I SAID to my heart, Come now, I will prove you with joy; therefore enjoy good things; and, behold, this also is vanity.

2:2  I said of laughter: 'It is mad'; and of mirth: 'What doth it accomplish?'

2  I said to laughter, Madness: and to mirth, Why doest thou this

2  Laughter, I considered an error. And to rejoicing, I said: “Why are you being deceived, to no purpose?”

2:3  I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine, and, my heart conducting itself with wisdom, how yet to lay hold on folly, till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life.

3  I decided in my heart to withdraw my flesh from wine, so that I might bring my mind to wisdom, and turn away from foolishness, until I see what is useful for the sons of men, and what they ought to do under the sun, during the number of the days of their life.

2:4  I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;

4  I magnified my works. I built houses for myself, and I planted vineyards.

4  I multiplied my servants; I built myself houses; I planted vineyards for myself

2:5  I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;

5  I made gardens and orchards. And I planted them with trees of every kind.

2:6  I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the wood springing up with trees;

6  And I dug out fishponds of water, so that I might irrigate the forest of growing trees.

6  I made myself pools of water, to irrigate the nursery that produces trees.

2:7  I acquired men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;

7  I obtained men and women servants, and I had a great family, as well as herds of cattle and great flocks of sheep, beyond all who were before me in Jerusalem.

2:8  I gathered me also silver and gold, and treasure such as kings and the provinces have as their own; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, women very many.

8  Moreover I collected for myself both silver and gold also, and the peculiar treasures of kings and provinces: I procured me singing men and singing women, and delights of the sons of men, a butler and female cupbearers.

8  I amassed for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings and governors. I chose men and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, bowls and pitchers for the purpose of pouring wine.

2:9  So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom stood me in stead.

9  So I became great, and advanced beyond all that were before in Jerusalem: also my wisdom was established to me.

9  And I surpassed in opulence all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also persevered with me.

2:10  And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart had joy of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour.

10  And all that my eyes desired, I did not refuse them. Neither did I prohibit my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and from amusing itself in the things that I had prepared. And I regarded this as my share, as if I were making use of my own labors.

2:11  Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

11  And I looked on all my works which my hands had wrought, and on my labour which I laboured to perform: and behold, all was vanity and waywardness of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun.

11  But when I turned myself toward all the works that my hands had made, and to the labors in which I had perspired to no purpose, I saw emptiness and affliction of the soul in all things, and that nothing is permanent under the sun.

2:12  And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.

12  Then I looked on to see wisdom, and madness, and folly: for who is the man who will follow after counsel, in all things where in he employs it?

2:13  Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.

13  And I saw that wisdom excels folly, as much as light excels darkness.

13  And I saw that wisdom surpasses foolishness, so much so that they differ as much as light from darkness.

2:14  The wise man, his eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness. And I also perceived that one event happeneth to them all.

14  The eyes of a wise man are in his head. A foolish man walks in darkness. Yet I learned that one would pass away like the other.

2:15  Then said I in my heart: 'As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?' Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

15  And I said in my heart, As the event of the fool is, so shall it be to me, even to me: and to what purpose have I gained wisdom? I said moreover in my heart, This is also vanity, because the fool speaks of his abundance.

15  And I said in my heart: “If the death of both the foolish and myself will be one, how does it benefit me, if I have given myself more thoroughly to the work of wisdom?” And as I was speaking within my own mind, I perceived that this, too, is emptiness.

2:16  For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool!

16  For there will not be a remembrance in perpetuity of the wise, nor of the foolish. And the future times will cover everything together, with oblivion. The learned die in a manner similar to the unlearned.

2:17  So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

17  And, because of this, my life wearied me, since I saw that everything under the sun is evil, and everything is empty and an affliction of the spirit.

17  Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous to me; for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

2:18  And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

18  Again, I detested all my efforts, by which I had earnestly labored under the sun, to be taken up by an heir after me,

2:19  And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

19  though I know not whether he will be wise or foolish. And yet he will have power over my labors, in which I have toiled and been anxious. And is there anything else so empty?

2:20  Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.

20  so I went about to dismiss from my heart all my labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.

2:21  For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

21  For when someone labors in wisdom, and doctrine, and prudence, he leaves behind what he has obtained to one who is idle. So this, too, is emptiness and a great burden.

21  There is a man who labors with wisdom and knowledge and success; and yet he leaves his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.

2:22  For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun?

22  For how can a man benefit from all his labor and affliction of spirit, by which he has been tormented under the sun?

2:23  For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.

23  For all his days are days of sorrows, and vexation of spirit is his; in the night also his heart rests not. This is also vanity.

23  All his days have been filled with sorrows and hardships; neither does he rest his mind, even in the night. And is this not emptiness?

2:24  There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

24  A man has nothing really good to eat, and to drink, and to shew his soul as good in his trouble. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

24  Is it not better to eat and drink, and to show his soul the good things of his labors? And this is from the hand of God.

2:25  For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I?

25  So who will feast and overflow with delights as much as I have?

25  For who can eat or who can drink except he?

2:26  For to the man that is good in His sight He giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He giveth the task, to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good in the sight of God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

26  For God has given to the man who is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but he has given to the sinner trouble, to add and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God; for this is also vanity and waywardness of spirit.

26  God has given, to the man who is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and rejoicing. But to the sinner, he has given affliction and needless worrying, so as to add, and to gather, and to deliver, to him who has pleased God. But this, too, is emptiness and a hollow worrying of the mind.

3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

1  To all things there is a time, and a season for every matter under heaven.

1  All things have their time, and all things under heaven continue during their interval.

3:2  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3:3  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

3:4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

3:5  A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

3:6  A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

3:7  A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

3:8  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

3:9  What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth?

9  What advantage has he that works in those things wherein he labours?

9  What more does a man have from his labor?

3:10  I have seen the task which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

10  I have seen all the trouble, which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.

3:11  He hath made every thing beautiful in its time; also He hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.

11  All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: he has also set the whole world in their heart, that man might not find out the work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

11  He has made all things good in their time, and he has handed over the world to their disputes, so that man may not discover the work which God made from the beginning, even until the end.

3:12  I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.

12  And I realize that there is nothing better than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.

3:13  But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.

13  Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, and see good in all his labour, this is a gift of God.

13  For this is a gift from God: when each man eats and drinks, and sees the good results of his labor.

3:14  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God hath so made it, that men should fear before Him.

14  I know that whatsoever things God has done, they shall be for ever: it is impossible to add to it, and it is impossible to take away from it: and God has done it, that men may fear before him.

14  I have learned that all the works which God has made continue on, in perpetuity. We are not able to add anything, nor to take anything away, from those things which God has made in order that he may be feared.

3:15  That which is hath been long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God seeketh that which is pursued.

15  That which has been is now; and whatever things are appointed to be have already been; and God will seek out that which is past.

15  What has been made, the same continues. What is in the future, has already existed. And God restores what has passed away.

3:16  And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

16  I saw under the sun: instead of judgment, impiety, and instead of justice, iniquity.

3:17  I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.'

17  And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: for there is a time there for every action and for every work.

3:18  I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.'

18  I said in my heart, concerning the speech of the sons of man, God will judge them, and that to shew that they are breasts.

18  I meditated in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men whom God had created, and saw that they are like beasts.

3:19  For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.

19  Also to them is the event of the sons of man, and the event of the brute; one event befalls them: as is the death of the one, so also the death of the other; and there is one breath to all: and what has the man more than the brute? nothing; for all is vanity.

19  For this reason, the passing away of man and of beasts is one, and the condition of both is equal. For as a man dies, so also do they die. All things breathe similarly, and man has nothing more than beast; for all these are subject to vanity.

3:20  All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.

20  All go to one place; all were formed of the dust, and all will return to dust.

20  And all things continue on to one place; for from the earth they were made, and unto the earth they shall return together.

3:21  Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth?

21  Who knows if the spirit of the sons of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward?

3:22  Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

22  And I saw that there was no good, but that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, for it is his portion, for who shall bring him to see any thing of that which shall be after him?

22  And I have discovered nothing to be better than for a man to rejoice in his work: for this is his portion. And who shall add to him, so that he may know the things that will occur after him?

4:1  But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.

1  I turned myself to other things, and I saw the false accusations which are carried out under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and that there was no one to console them; and that they were not able to withstand their violence, being destitute of all help.

4:2  Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;

2  and I praised all the dead that had already died more than the living, as many as are alive until now.

2  And so, I praised the dead more than the living.

4:3  but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

3  And happier than both of these, I judged him to be, who has not yet been born, and who has not yet seen the evils which are done under the sun.

4:4  Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

4  Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

4  Then I saw that all the labor and all the work is successful because a man is more zealous than his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

4:5  The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.

5  The foolish man folds his hands together, and he consumes his own flesh, saying

5  The fool folds his hands together and suffers hunger.

4:6  Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.

6  “A handful with rest is better than both hands filled with labors and with affliction of the soul.”

4:7  Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

7  So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

7  While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.

4:8  There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.

8  He is one, and he does not have a second: no son, no brother. And yet he does not cease to labor, nor are his eyes satisfied with wealth, nor does he reflect, saying: “For whom do I labor and cheat my soul of good things?” In this, too, is emptiness and a most burdensome affliction.

4:9  Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.

9  Therefore, it is better for two to be together, than for one to be alone. For they have the advantage of their companionship.

4:10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.

10  If one falls, he shall be supported by the other. Woe to one who is alone. For when he falls, he has no one to lift him up.

4:11  Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?

11  Also if two should lie together, they also get heat: but how shall one be warmed alone?

11  And if two are sleeping, they warm one another. How can one person alone be warmed?

4:12  And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

12  And if one is too strong for him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

4:13  Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.

13  Better is a boy, poor and wise, than a king, old and foolish, who does not know to look ahead for the sake of posterity.

4:14  For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.

4:15  I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.

15  I beheld all the living who were walking under the sun, with the second youth who shall stand up in each one’s place.

15  I considered all the living who walk under the sun, with the young men, who shall rise up in their place.

4:16  There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

16  There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them: and the last shall not rejoice in him: for this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit.

16  The number of people, out of all who existed before these, is boundless. And those who will exist afterwards shall not rejoice in them. But this, too, is emptiness and an affliction of the spirit.

5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.

2  You should not speak anything rashly, nor should your heart be hasty to present a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth. For this reason, let your words be few.

5:3  For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.

3  Dreams follow many worries, and in many words foolishness will be found.

5:4  When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.

4  Whenever thou shalt vow a vow to God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay thou therefore whatsoever thou shalt have vowed.

4  If you have vowed anything to God, you should not delay to repay it. And whatever you have vowed, render it. But an unfaithful and foolish promise displeases him.

5:5  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

5  And it is much better not to make a vow, than, after a vow, not to fulfill what was promised.

5  It is much better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.

5:6  Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?

6  You should not use your mouth so as to cause your flesh to sin. And you should not say, in the sight of an Angel, “There is no Providence.” For God, being angry at your words, may scatter all the works of your hands.

6  Suffer not your mouth to cause your flesh to sin; neither say before God that it was an error, lest God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands.

5:7  For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou God.

7  Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities and innumerable words. Yet truly, you must fear God.

7  For in the multitude of dreams and vain things and many words is false worship; but you should worship God.

5:8  If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.

8  If you see false accusations against the indigent, and violent judgments, and subverted justice in the government, do not be surprised over this situation. For those in high places have others who are higher, and there are still others, more eminent, over these.

8  If you see the oppression of the poor and violent perversion of judgment and justice in a city, do not marvel at the matter; for he who is higher than the highest is watching; and he who is higher is over them.

5:9  But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.

5:10  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.

10  A greedy man will not be satisfied by money. And whoever loves wealth will reap no fruit from it. Therefore, this, too, is emptiness.

10  He who loves money shall not be satisfied with money; and he who loves wealth shall not retain it. This is also vanity.

5:11  When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?

11  In the multitude of good they are increased that eat it: and what virtue has the owner, but the right of beholding it with his eyes?

11  Where there are many riches, there will also be many to consume these things. And how does it benefit the one who possesses, except that he discerns the wealth with his own eyes?

5:12  Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

12  The sleep of a servant is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but to one who is satiated with wealth, there is none that suffers him to sleep.

5:13  There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;

13  There is even another most burdensome infirmity, which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept to the harm of the owner.

5:14  and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.

14  And that wealth shall perish in an evil trouble: and the man begets a son, and there is nothing in his hand.

14  For they are lost in a most grievous affliction. He has produced a son, who will be in the utmost destitution.

5:15  As 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.

15  Just as he went forth naked from his mother's womb, so shall he return, and he shall take nothing with him from his labors.

5:16  And 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?

16  And this is also an evil infirmity: for as he came, so also shall he return: and what is his gain, for which he vainly labours?

16  It is an utterly miserable infirmity that, in the same manner as he has arrived, so shall he return. How then does it benefit him, since he has labored for the wind?

5:17  All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.

17  Yea, all his days are in darkness, and in mourning, and much sorrow, and infirmity, and wrath.

17  All the days of his life he consumes: in darkness, and with many worries, and in distress as well as sadness.

5:18  Behold 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.

18  Behold, I have seen good, that it is a fine thing for a man to eat and to drink, and to see good in all his labour in which he may labour under the sun, all the number of the days of his life which God has given to him: for it is his portion.

18  And so, this has seemed good to me: that a person should eat and drink, and should enjoy the fruits of his labor, in which he has toiled under the sun, for the number of the days of his life that God has given him. For this is his portion.

5:19  Every 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.

19  Yea, and as for every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has given him power to eat thereof, and to receive his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

19  And this is a gift from God: that every man to whom God has given wealth and resources, and to whom he has granted the ability to consume these, may enjoy his portion, and may find joy in his labors.

5:20  For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

20  For he shall not much remember the days of his life; for God troubles him in the mirth of his heart.

20  And then he will not fully remember the days of his life, because God occupies his heart with delights.

6:1  There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men

1  There is also another evil, which I have seen under the sun, and, indeed, it is frequent among men.

6:2  a 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.

2  a man to whom God shall give wealth, and substance, and honour, and he wants nothing for his soul of all things that he shall desire, yet God shall not give him power to eat of it, for a stranger shall devour it: this is vanity, and an evil infirmity.

2  It is a man to whom God has given wealth, and resources, and honor; and out of all that he desires, nothing is lacking to his life; yet God does not grant him the ability to consume these things, but instead a man who is a stranger will devour them. This is emptiness and a great misfortune.

6:3  If 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;

3  If a man were to produce one hundred children, and to live for many years, and to attain to an age of many days, and if his soul were to make no use of the goods of his resources, and if he were lacking even a burial: concerning such a man, I declare that a miscarried child is better than he.

6:4  for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

4  For he arrives without a purpose and he continues on into darkness, and his name shall be wiped away, into oblivion.

4  For he comes in with vanity, and shall go into darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

6:5  moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other;

5  Moreover he has not seen the sun, nor known rest: there is no more rest to this one than another.

5  He has not seen the sun, nor recognized the difference between good and evil.

6:6  yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?

6  Though he has lived to the return of a thousand years, yet he has seen no good: do not all go to one place?

6  Even if he were to live for two thousand years, and yet not thoroughly enjoy what is good, does not each one hurry on to the same place?

6:7  All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

7  Every labor of man is for his mouth, but his soul will not be filled.

6:8  For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living?

8  What do the wise have which is more than the foolish? And what does the pauper have, except to continue on to that place, where there is life?

8  The wise man has an advantage over the fool. What! Does the poor man know how to go through life?

6:9  Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

9  The sight of the eyes is better than that which wanders in soul: this is also vanity, and waywardness of spirit.

9  It is better to see what you desire, than to desire what you cannot know. But this, too, is emptiness and a presumption of spirit.

6:10  Whatsoever 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.

10  If anything has been, its name has already been called: and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is stronger than he.

10  Whoever shall be in the future, his name has already been called. And it is known that he is a man and that he is not able to contend in judgment against one who is stronger than himself.

6:11  Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?

11  For there are many things which increase vanity.

11  There are many words, and many of these, in disputes, hold much emptiness.

6:12  For 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?

Eccl7:1  What advantage has a man? for who knows what is good for a man in his life, during the number of the life of the days of his vanity? and he has spent them as a shadow; for who shall tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Eccl7:1  Why is it necessary for a man to seek things that are greater than himself, when he does not know what is advantageous for himself in his life, during the number of the days of his sojourn, and while time passes by like a shadow? Or who will be able to tell him what will be in the future after him under the sun?

7:1  A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.

7:2  It 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.

Eccl7:3  It is better to go to a house of mourning, than to a house of feasting. For in the former, we are admonished about the end of all things, so that the living consider what may be in the future.

7:3  Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.

Eccl7:4  Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart will be made better.

Eccl7:4  Anger is better than laughter. For through the sadness of the countenance, the soul of one who offends may be corrected.

7:4  The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

7:5  It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.

Eccl7:6  It is better to be corrected by a wise man, than to be deceived by the false praise of the foolish.

7:6  For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; this also is vanity.

Eccl7:7  As the sound of thorns under a caldron, so is the laughter of fools: this is also vanity.

Eccl7:7  For, like the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of the foolish. But this, too, is emptiness.

7:7  Surely oppression turneth a wise man into a fool; and a gift destroyeth the understanding.

Eccl7:8  for oppression makes a wise man mad, and destroys his noble heart.

Eccl7:8  A false accusation troubles the wise man and saps the strength of his heart.

7:8  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Eccl7:9  The end of a matter is better than the beginning thereof: the patient is better than the high-minded.

7:9  Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Eccl7:10  Do not be quickly moved to anger. For anger resides in the sinews of the foolish.

7:10  Say not thou: 'How was it that the former days were better than these?' for it is not out of wisdom that thou inquirest concerning this.

Eccl7:11  Say not, What has happened, that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire in wisdom concerning this.

Eccl7:11  You should not say: “What do you think is the reason that the former times were better than they are now?” For this type of question is foolish.

7:11  Wisdom is good with an inheritance, yea, a profit to them that see the sun.

Eccl7:12  Wisdom with riches is more useful and more advantageous, for those who see the sun.

11  Wisdom is better than weapons; yea, it is better for those who see the light of the truth.

7:12  For wisdom is a defence, even as money is a defence; but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it.

Eccl7:13  For as wisdom protects, so also does money protect. But learning and wisdom have this much more: that they grant life to one who possesses them.

7:13  Consider the work of God; for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked?

Eccl7:14  Behold the works of God: for who shall be able to straighten him whom God has made crooked?

Eccl7:14  Consider the works of God, that no one is able to correct whomever he has despised.

7:14  In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; God hath made even the one as well as the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Eccl7:15  In good times, enjoy good things, but beware of an evil time. For just as God has establish the one, so also the other, in order that man may not find any just complaint against him.

7:15  All things have I seen in the days of my vanity; there is a righteous man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his evil-doing.

Eccl7:16  I have seen all things in the days of my vanity: there is a just man perishing in his justice, and there is an ungodly man remaining in his wickedness.

Eccl7:16  I also saw this, in the days of my vanity: a just man perishing in his justice, and an impious man living a long time in his malice.

7:16  Be not righteous overmuch; neither make thyself overwise; why shouldest thou destroy thyself?

Eccl7:17  Be not very just; neither be very wise: lest thou be confounded.

Eccl7:17  Do not try to be overly just, and do not try to be more wise than is necessary, lest you become stupid.

7:17  Be not overmuch wicked, neither be thou foolish; why shouldest thou die before thy time?

Eccl7:18  Do not act with great impiety, and do not choose to be foolish, lest you die before your time.

7:18  It is good that thou shouldest take hold of the one; yea, also from the other withdraw not thy hand; for he that feareth God shall discharge himself of them all.

Eccl7:19  It is well for thee to hold fast by this; also by this defile not thine hand: for to them that fear God all things shall come forth well.

Eccl7:19  It is good for you to support a just man. Furthermore, you should not withdraw your hand from him, for whoever fears God, neglects nothing.

7:19  Wisdom is a stronghold to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city.

Eccl7:20  Wisdom will help the wise man more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

7:20  For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Eccl7:21  But there is no just man on earth, who does good and does not sin.

7:21  Also take not heed unto all words that are spoken, lest thou hear thy servant curse thee;

Eccl7:22  So then, do not attach your heart to every word that is spoken, lest perhaps you may hear your servant speaking ill of you.

7:22  for oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.

Eccl7:23  For many times he shall trespass against thee, and repeatedly shall he afflict thine heart; for thus also hast thou cursed others.

Eccl7:23  For your conscience knows that you, too, have repeatedly spoken evil of others.

7:23  All this have I tried by wisdom; I said: 'I will get wisdom'; but it was far from me.

Eccl7:24  All these things have I proved in wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.

Eccl7:24  I have tested everything in wisdom. I have said: “I will be wise.” And wisdom withdrew farther from me,

7:24  That which is is far off, and exceeding deep; who can find it out?

Eccl7:25  so much more than it was before. Wisdom is very profound, so who shall reveal her?

24  Yea, wisdom was far off; it also had depth beyond depth; who can find it out?

7:25  I turned about, and applied my heart to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the reason of things, and to know wickedness to be folly, and foolishness to be madness;

Eccl7:26  I and my heart went round about to know, and to examine, and to seek wisdom, and the account of things, and to know the folly and trouble and madness of the ungodly man.

Eccl7:26  I have examined all things in my soul, so that I may know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason, and so that I may recognize the impiety of the foolish, and the error of the imprudent.

7:26  and I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands; whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.

Eccl7:27  And I find her to be, and I will pronounce to be more bitter than death the woman which is a snare, and her heart nets, who has a band in her hands: he that is good in the sight of God shall be delivered from her; but the sinner shall be caught by her.

Eccl7:27  And I have discovered a woman more bitter than death: she who is like the snare of a hunter, and whose heart is like a net, and whose hands are like chains. Whoever pleases God shall flee from her. But whoever is a sinner shall be seized by her.

7:27  Behold, this have I found, saith Koheleth, adding one thing to another, to find out the account;

Eccl7:28  Behold, Ecclesiastes said, I have discovered these things, one after another, in order that I might discover the explanation

27  Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, weighing one thing against another to find out the purposes,

7:28  which yet my soul sought, but I found not; one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.

Eccl7:29  which my soul sought after, but I found not: for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.

28  And again my soul sought but I found not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all these I have not found.

7:29  Behold, this only have I found, that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Eccl7:30  This alone have I discovered: that God made man righteous, and yet he has adulterated himself with innumerable questions. Who is so great as the wise? And who has understood the meaning of the word?

8:1  Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.

1  The wisdom of a man shines in his countenance, and even the expression of a most powerful man will change.

8:2  I counsel thee : keep the king's command, and that in regard of the oath of God.

2  Observe the commandment of the king, and that because of the word of the oath of God.

2  I heed the mouth of the king, and the commandment of an oath to God.

8:3  Be not hasty to go out of his presence; stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.

3  You should not hastily withdraw from his presence, nor should you remain in an evil work. For all that pleases him, he will do.

3  Go from his presence; and do not stand firm in an evil matter; for he does whatsoever pleases him.

8:4  Forasmuch as the king's word hath power; and who may say unto him: 'What doest thou?'

4  even as a king having power: and who will say to him, What doest thou?

4  And his word is filled with authority. Neither is anyone able to say to him: “Why are you acting this way?”

8:5  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment.

5  Whoever keeps the commandment will not experience evil. The heart of a wise man understands the time to respond.

8:6  For to every matter there is a time and judgment; for the evil of man is great upon him.

6  For every matter, there is a time and an opportunity, as well as many difficulties, for man.

6  Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, because the misery of man is great upon him.

8:7  For he knoweth not that which shall be; for even when it cometh to pass, who shall declare it unto him?

7  For there is no one that knows what is going to be: for who shall tell him how it shall be?

7  For he is ignorant of the past, and he is able to know nothing of the future by means of a messenger.

8:8  There is no man that hath power over the wind to retain the wind; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.

8  It is not in the power of a man to prohibit the spirit, nor does he have authority over the day of death, nor is he permitted to rest when war breaks out, and neither will impiety save the impious.

8:9  All this have I seen, even applied my heart thereto, whatever the work that is done under the sun; what time one man had power over another to his hurt.

9  So I saw all this, and I applied my heart to every work that has been done under the sun; all the things wherein man has power over man to afflict him.

9  I have considered all these things, and I have applied my heart to all the works which are being done under the sun. Sometimes one man rules over another to his own harm.

8:10  And so I saw the wicked buried, and they entered into their rest; but they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city; this also is vanity.

10  And then I saw the ungodly carried into the tombs, and that out of the holy place: and they departed, and were praised in the city, because they had done thus: this also is vanity.

10  I have seen the impious buried. These same, while they were still living, were in the holy place, and they were praised in the city as workers of justice. But this, too, is emptiness.

8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil;

11  Because there is no contradiction made on the part of those who do evil quickly, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully determined in them to do evil.

11  For the sons of men perpetrate evils without any fear, because judgment is not pronounced quickly against the evil.

8:12  because a sinner doeth evil a hundred times, and prolongeth his days--though yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before Him;

8:13  but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he feareth not before God.

13  So, may it not go well with the impious, and may his days not be prolonged. And let those who do not fear the face of the Lord pass away like a shadow.

8:14  There is a vanity which is done upon the earth: that there are righteous men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous--I said that this also is vanity.

14  There is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are the just, to whom evils happen, as though they had done the works of the impious. And there are the impious, who are very secure, as though they possess the deeds of the just. But this, too, I judge to be a very great vanity.

8:15  So I commended mirth, that a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry, and that this should accompany him in his labour all the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.

15  And so, I praised rejoicing, because there was no good for a man under the sun, except to eat and drink, and to be cheerful, and because he may take nothing with him from his labor in the days of his life, which God has given to him under the sun.

8:16  When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth--for neither day nor night do men see sleep with their eyes--

16  Whereupon I set my heart to know wisdom, and to perceive the trouble that was wrought upon the earth: for there is that neither by day nor night sees sleep with his eyes.

16  And I applied my heart, so that I might know wisdom, and so that I might understand a disturbance that turns upon the earth: it is a man, who takes no sleep with his eyes, day and night.

8:17  then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

17  And I beheld all the works of God, that a man shall not be able to discover the work which is wrought under the sun; whatsoever things a man shall endeavour to seek, however a man may labour to seek it, yet he shall not find it; yea, how much soever a wise man may speak of knowing it, he shall not be able to find it: for I applied all this to my heart, and my heart has seen all this.

17  And I understood that man is able to find no explanation for all those works of God which are done under the sun. And so, the more that he labors to seek, so much the less does he find. Yes, even if a wise man were to claim that he knows, he would not be able to discover it.

9:1  For all this I laid to my heart, even to make clear all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them.

1  I have drawn all these things through my heart, so that I might carefully understand. There are just men as well as wise men, and their works are in the hand of God. And yet a man does not know so much as whether he is worthy of love or of hatred.

9:2  All things come alike to all; there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth and to him that sacrificeth not; as is the good, so is the sinner, and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

2  Vanity is in all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good, and to the bad; both to the pure, and to the impure; both to him that sacrifices, and to him that sacrifice not: as is the good, so is the sinner: as is the swearer, even so is he that fears an oath.

2  But all things in the future remain uncertain, because all things happen equally to the just and to the impious, to the good and to the bad, to the pure and to the impure, to those who offer sacrifices and to those who despise sacrifices. As the good are, so also are sinners. As those who commit perjury are, so also are those who swear to the truth.

9:3  This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all; yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

3  There is this evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yea, the heart of the sons of men is filled with evil, and madness is in their heart during their life, and after that they go to the dead.

3  This is a very great burden among all things that are done under the sun: that the same things happen to everyone. And when the hearts of the sons of men are filled with malice and contempt in their lives, afterwards they shall be dragged down to hell.

9:4  For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

4  for who is he that has fellowship with all the living? there is hope of him: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

4  There is no one who lives forever, or who even has confidence in this regard. A living dog is better than a dead lion.

9:5  For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.

9:6  As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is long ago perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

6  Likewise, love and hatred and envy have all perished together, nor have they any place in this age and in the work which is done under the sun.

6  Also their love and their hatred and their envy have already perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.

9:7  Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.

7  So then, go and eat your bread with rejoicing, and drink your wine with gladness. For your works are pleasing to God.

7  Come now, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God is pleased with your works.

9:8  Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no oil.

8  Let your garments be white at all times, and let not oil be absent from your head.

9:9  Enjoy life with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which He hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity; for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherein thou labourest under the sun.

9  And see life with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which are given thee under the sun: for that is thy portion in thy life, and in thy labour wherein thou labourest under the sun.

9  Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life, because she is your portion in life, and in your labor which you labor under the sun.

9:10  Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

10  Whatever your hand is able to do, do it earnestly. For neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge will exist in death, toward which you are hurrying.

9:11  I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

11  I turned myself toward another thing, and I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor wealth to the learned, nor grace to the skilful: but there is a time and an end for all these things.

9:12  For man also knoweth not his time; as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

12  Man does not know his own end. But, just as fish are caught with a hook, and birds are captured with a snare, so are men seized in the evil time, when it will suddenly overwhelm them.

9:13  This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me

13  This I also saw to be wisdom under the sun, and it is great before me

13  This wisdom, likewise, I have seen under the sun, and I have examined it intensely.

9:14  there was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it;

14  suppose there were a little city, and few men in it; and there should come against it a great king, and surround it, and build great mounds against it;

14  There was a small city, with a few men in it. There came against it a great king, who surrounded it, and built fortifications all around it, and the blockade was completed.

9:15  now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.

15  and should find in it a poor wise man, and he should save the city through his wisdom: yet no man would remember that poor man.

15  And there was found within it, a poor and wise man, and he freed the city through his wisdom, and nothing was recorded afterward of that poor man.

9:16  Then said I: 'Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.'

16  And I said Wisdom is better than power: yet the wisdom of the poor man is set at nought, and his words not listened to.

16  And so, I declared that wisdom is better than strength. But how is it, then, that the wisdom of the poor man is treated with contempt, and his words are not heeded?

9:17  The words of the wise spoken in quiet are more acceptable than the cry of a ruler among fools.

9:18  Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.

10:1  Dead flies make the ointment of the perfumer fetid and putrid; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honour.

1  Pestilent flies will corrupt a preparation of sweet ointment: and a little wisdom is more precious than great glory of folly.

1  Dying flies ruin the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a brief and limited foolishness.

10:2  A wise man's understanding is at his right hand; but a fool's understanding at his left.

2  The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a foolish man is in his left hand.

2  A wise man's heart thinks rightly; but a fool's heart thinks wrongly.

10:3  Yea also, when a fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.

3  Yea, and whenever a fool walks by the way, his heart will fail him, and all that he thinks of is folly.

3  Moreover, as a foolish man is walking along the way, even though he himself is unwise, he considers everyone to be foolish.

10:4  If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for gentleness allayeth great offences.

4  If the spirit of one who holds authority rises over you, do not leave your place, because attentiveness will cause the greatest sins to cease.

4  If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your country; because healing forgives many sins.

10:5  There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, like an error which proceedeth from a ruler

10:6  Folly is set on great heights, and the rich sit in low place.

6  The fool has been set in very high places, while rich men would sit in a low one.

6  a foolish man appointed to a high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath him.

10:7  I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.

10:8  He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh through a fence, a serpent shall bite him.

8  Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And whoever tears apart a hedge, a snake will bite him.

8  He who digs a pit shall fall into it; and he who breaks a hedge will be bitten by a serpent.

10:9  Whoso quarrieth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby.

9  Whoever carries away stones will be harmed by them. And whoever cuts down trees will be wounded by them.

9  He who removes landmarks shall suffer pain by them; and he who cuts trees shall be wounded by them.

10:10  If the iron be blunt, and one do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength; but wisdom is profitable to direct.

10  If the axe-head should fall off, then the man troubles his countenance, and he must put forth more strength: and in that case skill is of no advantage to a man.

10  Just as the edge of a weapon may be blunt, and not sharpened, and yet may cause many to be slain, so wisdom is more advantageous to those who are diligent.

10:11  If the serpent bite before it is charmed, then the charmer hath no advantage.

11  If a serpent bite when there is no charmer’s whisper, then there is no advantage to the charmer.

11  Whoever slanders in secret is nothing less than a snake that bites silently.

10:12  The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

12  Words from the mouth of a wise man are graceful, but the lips of a foolish man will throw him down with violence.

10:13  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is grievous madness.

13  At the beginning of his words is foolishness, and at the end of his talk is a most grievous error.

10:14  A fool also multiplieth words; yet man knoweth not what shall be; and that which shall be after him, who can tell him?

14  A fool moreover multiplies words: man knows not what has been, nor what will be: who shall tell him what will come after him?

14  The fool multiplies his words. A man does not know what has been before him, and who is able to reveal to him what will be in the future after him?

10:15  The labour of fools wearieth every one of them, for he knoweth not how to go to the city.

15  The hardship of the foolish will afflict those who do not know to go into the city.

15  The labor of fools wears them out because they do not know how to buy and sell in the city.

10:16  Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a boy, and thy princes feast in the morning!

10:17  Happy art thou, O land, when thy king is a free man, and thy princes eat in due season, in strength, and not in drunkenness!

17  Blessed art thou, O land, whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes shall eat seasonably, for strength, and shall not be ashamed.

17  Blessed is the land whose king is noble, and whose princes eat at the proper time, for refreshment and not for self-indulgence.

10:18  By slothfulness the rafters sink in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaketh.

18  By slothful neglect a building will be brought low: and by idleness of the hands the house will fall to pieces.

18  By laziness, a framework shall be brought down, and by the weakness of hands, a house shall collapse through.

10:19  A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh glad the life; and money answereth all things.

19  Men prepare bread for laughter, and wine and oil that the living should rejoice: but to money all things will humbly yield obedience.

19  Bread and wine are made for joy, and oil makes life merry; but money brings one low and causes him to go astray in all things.

10:20  Curse not the king, no, not in thy thought, and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber; for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

20  Even in thy conscience, curse not the king; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry thy voice, and that which has wings shall report thy speech.

20  You should not slander the king, even in your thoughts, and you should not speak evil of a wealthy man, even in your private chamber. For even the birds of the air will carry your voice, and whatever has wings will announce your opinion.

11:2  Divide a portion into seven, yea, even into eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.

2  Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil there shall be upon the earth.

11:3  If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth; and if a tree fall in the south, or in the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be.

3  If the clouds have been filled, they will pour forth rain upon the earth. If a tree falls to the south, or to the north, or to whatever direction it may fall, there it shall remain.

11:4  He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

4  Whoever heeds the wind will not sow. And whoever considers the clouds will never reap.

4  He who observes the wind shall not sow; and he who regards the clouds shall not reap.

11:5  As thou knowest not what is the way of the wind, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the work of God who doeth all things.

5  As you do not know the path of the wind, and the manner of a woman who is with child; even so you do not know the works of the LORD who makes all.

11:6  In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

6  In the morning, sow your seed, and in the evening, do not let your hand cease. For you do not know which of these may rise up, the one or the other. But if both rise up together, so much the better.

11:7  And the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.

7  Moreover the light is sweet, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.

11:8  For if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.

8  If a man lives for many years, and if he has rejoiced in all of these, he must remember the many days of the dark times, which, when they will have arrived, will accuse the past of vanity.

11:9  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

9  So then, rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart remain in what is good during the days of your youth. And walk in the ways of your heart, and with the perception of your eyes. And know that, concerning all these things, God will bring you to judgment.

9  Rejoice, O young man, in your youth; and it shall be well with you; and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things the LORD will bring you into judgment.

11:10  Therefore remove vexation from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh; for childhood and youth are vanity.

10  Remove anger from your heart, and set aside evil from your flesh. For youth and pleasure are empty.

12:1  Remember then thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: 'I have no pleasure in them';

1  And remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the days of evil come, and the years overtake thee in which thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.

1  Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the time of affliction arrives and the years draw near, about which you will say, “These do not please me.”

12:2  Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars, are darkened, and the clouds return after the rain;

2  While the sun and light are not darkened, nor the moon and the stars; nor the clouds return after the rain

2  Before life ebbs, beauty fades, fortune fails, and poverty returns after prosperity;

12:3  In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out shall be darkened in the windows,

3  when the guardians of the house will tremble, and the strongest men will waver, and those who grind grain will be idle, except for a small number, and those who look through the keyholes will be darkened.

3  In the day when the legs tremble and the arms weaken, and the teeth chew no more because they are few, and the eyes are dimmed,

12:4  And the doors shall be shut in the street, when the sound of the grinding is low; and one shall start up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low;

12:5  Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and terrors shall be in the way; and the almond-tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall drag itself along, and the caperberry shall fail; because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets;

12:6  Before the silver cord is snapped asunder, and the golden bowl is shattered, and the pitcher is broken at the fountain, and the wheel falleth shattered, into the pit;

6  before the silver cord be let go, or the choice gold be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel run down to the cistern;

6  Remember him before the silver cord is cut off and the golden bowl is broken and the pitcher is broken at the fountain or the wheel is broken at the cistern,

12:7  And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.

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

12:8  Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; all is vanity.

12:9  And besides that Koheleth was wise, he also taught the people knowledge; yea, he pondered, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

9  And because the Preacher was wise above others, so it was that he taught man excellent knowledge, and the ear will trace out the parables.

9  And since Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and he described what he had accomplished. And while searching, he composed many parables.

12:10  Koheleth sought to find out words of delight, and that which was written uprightly, even words of truth.

10  The Preacher sought diligently to find out acceptable words, and a correct writing, even words of truth.

10  He sought useful words, and he wrote most righteous words, which were full of truth.

12:11  The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails well fastened are those that are composed in collections; they are given from one shepherd.

12:12  And furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

12  You should require no more than this, my son. For there is no end to the making of many books. And excessive study is an affliction to the flesh.

12  Furthermore, my son, take heed; of writing many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

12:13  The end of the matter, all having been heard: fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man.

13  Let us all listen together to the end of the discourse. Fear God, and observe his commandments. This is everything for man.

12:14  For God shall bring every work into the judgment concerning every hidden thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.

14  And so, for all that is done and for each error, God will bring judgment: whether it was good or evil.