\id ECC - Copyright World Bible Translation Center 1987, 1999, 2006, 2008 
\ide UTF-8
\h Ecclesiastes 
\toc1 Ecclesiastes 
\toc2 Ecclesiastes 
\mt1 Ecclesiastes 
\c 1  
\p
\v 1 These \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* Teacher, \w a|strong="H3389"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* so meaningless. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Teacher \w says|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H0559"\w* waste \w of|strong="H3605"\w* time!\f + \fr 1:2  \fk meaningless … a waste of time \ft The Hebrew word means “vapor or breath” or “something that is useless, meaningless, empty, wrong, or a waste of time.”\f* 
\v 3 \w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* really gain \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w from|strong="H8478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hard|strong="H5998"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w in|strong="H0120"\w* \w this|strong="H3605"\w* life\f + \fr 1:3  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.” Also in verses 9, 13.\f*? 
\s1 \w Things|strong="H3605"\w* Never Change 
\p
\v 4 \w People|strong="H0776"\w* \w live|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w die|strong="H1980"\w*, \w but|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0935"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w continues|strong="H1980"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*. 
\v 5 \w The|strong="H0413"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w rises|strong="H2224"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w goes|strong="H0935"\w* down, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w then|strong="H0935"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* hurries \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w rise|strong="H2224"\w* again \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0413"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* blows \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w south|strong="H1864"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* blows \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w*. \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* blows \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w around|strong="H5439"\w*. \w Then|strong="H1980"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w turns|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* blows \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* place \w it|strong="H5921"\w* began. 
\p
\v 7 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* rivers \w flow|strong="H1980"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* same \w place|strong="H4725"\w*. \w They|strong="H1992"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w flow|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w but|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w never|strong="H0369"\w* becomes \w full|strong="H4392"\w*. 
\p
\v 8 \w Words|strong="H1697"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w fully|strong="H4390"\w* explain \w things|strong="H1697"\w*,\f + \fr 1:8  \fk Words cannot fully explain things \ft Literally, “All words are weak.”\f* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* continue \w speaking|strong="H1696"\w*.\f + \fr 1:8  \fk but people continue speaking \ft The Hebrew could also be translated, “People cannot speak.”\f* \w Words|strong="H1697"\w* \w come|strong="H4390"\w* \w again|strong="H1696"\w* \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w again|strong="H1696"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w ears|strong="H0241"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w ears|strong="H0241"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w become|strong="H7200"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w*. \w And|strong="H5869"\w* \w our|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w become|strong="H7200"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H0376"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w we|strong="H8085"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w*. 
\s1 \w Nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w Is|strong="H0376"\w* New 
\p
\v 9 \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w continue|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w way|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* since \w the|strong="H3605"\w* beginning. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H1931"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* always \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*. \w There|strong="H0369"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w nothing|strong="H0369"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* life. 
\p
\v 10 Someone \w might|strong="H0834"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w*, \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w*,” \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w always|strong="H5769"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w here|strong="H2088"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 \w People|strong="H3808"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* remember \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* long ago. \w In|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* future, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* remember \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* happening \w now|strong="H1961"\w*. \w And|strong="H1961"\w* \w later|strong="H0314"\w*, \w other|strong="H0369"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* remember \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w before|strong="H7223"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w*. 
\s1 \w Does|strong="H3808"\w* Wisdom \w Bring|strong="H1961"\w* Happiness? 
\p
\v 12 \w I|strong="H0589"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Teacher, \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Israel|strong="H3478"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*. 
\v 13 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* decided \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w study|strong="H1875"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w use|strong="H1931"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* learn \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w life|strong="H3820"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* learned \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* very hard \w thing|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. 
\v 14 \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w looked|strong="H7200"\w* \w at|strong="H7200"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*, \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* waste \w of|strong="H7307"\w* time. \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w like|strong="H8478"\w* trying \w to|strong="H7200"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.\f + \fr 1:14  \fk trying to catch the wind \ft Or “It is very troubling to the spirit.” The word for “troubling” can also mean “craving,” and the word for “spirit” can also mean “wind.” Also in verse 17.\f* 
\v 15 If something \w is|strong="H3808"\w* \w crooked|strong="H5791"\w*, \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* say \w it|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H3808"\w* straight. \w And|strong="H3808"\w* if something \w is|strong="H3808"\w* missing, \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* say \w it|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H3808"\w* there. 
\p
\v 16 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* very \w wise|strong="H2451"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w wiser|strong="H2451"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* kings \w who|strong="H0834"\w* ruled \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w know|strong="H1847"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H3389"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w really|strong="H0559"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w*.” 
\p
\v 17 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* decided \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H3045"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H3045"\w* \w are|strong="H1571"\w* better \w than|strong="H1571"\w* thinking \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w* \w thoughts|strong="H3820"\w*. \w But|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5414"\w* become \w wise|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H7307"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5414"\w* catch \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*. 
\v 18 \w With|strong="H3588"\w* \w much|strong="H7230"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w comes|strong="H1847"\w* \w frustration|strong="H3708"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H3588"\w* gains \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w also|strong="H3588"\w* gains \w more|strong="H3254"\w* \w sorrow|strong="H4341"\w*. 
\c 2  
\s1 Does “Having Fun” Bring Happiness? 
\p
\v 1 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* fun—\w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* everything \w as|strong="H1571"\w* much \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w*.” \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* learned \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*. 
\v 2 \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* foolish \w to|strong="H0559"\w* laugh all \w the|strong="H0559"\w* time. Having fun \w does|strong="H6213"\w* not \w do|strong="H6213"\w* any good. 
\p
\v 3 \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* decided \w to|strong="H5704"\w* fill \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w body|strong="H1320"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* filled \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w with|strong="H3117"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* tried \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w foolishness|strong="H5531"\w* \w because|strong="H0834"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w find|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* \w happy|strong="H2896"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w was|strong="H0834"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w few|strong="H4557"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\s1 \w Does|strong="H6213"\w* Hard Work Bring \w Happiness|strong="H2896"\w*? 
\p
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H1129"\w* I began doing \w great|strong="H1431"\w* \w things|strong="H4639"\w*. I \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* I \w planted|strong="H5193"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* myself. 
\v 5 I \w planted|strong="H5193"\w* \w gardens|strong="H1593"\w*, \w and|strong="H6086"\w* I \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w parks|strong="H6508"\w*. I \w planted|strong="H5193"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*. 
\v 6 \w I|strong="H6779"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w pools|strong="H1295"\w* \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w for|strong="H4325"\w* myself, \w and|strong="H6086"\w* \w I|strong="H6779"\w* \w used|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w to|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* my \w growing|strong="H6779"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*. 
\v 7 \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w bought|strong="H7069"\w* \w men|strong="H1121"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w women|strong="H8198"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w* \w born|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*. \w I|strong="H5650"\w* owned \w many|strong="H7235"\w* great \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w herds|strong="H1241"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w cattle|strong="H1241"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w flocks|strong="H6629"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w sheep|strong="H6629"\w*. \w I|strong="H5650"\w* owned \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* person \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* did. 
\p
\v 8 \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w gathered|strong="H3664"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w myself|strong="H1571"\w*. \w I|strong="H1571"\w* took treasures \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H1571"\w* nations. \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* \w men|strong="H0120"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* women \w singing|strong="H7891"\w* \w for|strong="H4428"\w* \w me|strong="H1121"\w*. \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w had|strong="H4428"\w* everything \w any|strong="H1571"\w* \w man|strong="H0120"\w* \w could|strong="H1571"\w* want. 
\p
\v 9 \w I|strong="H1961"\w* \w became|strong="H1961"\w* very \w rich|strong="H1431"\w* \w and|strong="H3389"\w* famous. \w I|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w greater|strong="H1431"\w* \w than|strong="H3605"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w lived|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5975"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w me|strong="H6440"\w*. \w My|strong="H3605"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* always \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* help \w me|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\v 10 \w Anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* saw \w and|strong="H5869"\w* wanted, \w I|strong="H0834"\w* got \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*. \w My|strong="H3605"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w pleased|strong="H5869"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w did|strong="H0834"\w*. \w And|strong="H5869"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w happiness|strong="H8057"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w reward|strong="H2506"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* hard \w work|strong="H5999"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 \w But|strong="H0369"\w* \w then|strong="H2009"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w looked|strong="H6437"\w* \w at|strong="H0369"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H0369"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wealth \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H0369"\w* \w gained|strong="H3504"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w decided|strong="H6437"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H0369"\w* waste \w of|strong="H3027"\w* time! \w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w like|strong="H8478"\w* trying \w to|strong="H0369"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.\f + \fr 2:11  \fk trying to catch the wind \ft Or “It is very troubling to the spirit.” The word for “troubling” can also mean “craving,” and the word for “spirit” can also mean “wind.” Also in verses 17, 26.\f* \w There|strong="H0369"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w nothing|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* gain \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w we|strong="H0589"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w this|strong="H3605"\w* life.\f + \fr 2:11  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.” Also in verses 17, 22.\f* 
\s1 Maybe Wisdom \w Is|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Answer 
\p
\v 12 \w Then|strong="H0853"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w decided|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w think|strong="H7200"\w* \w about|strong="H4428"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* means \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w wise|strong="H2451"\w* \w or|strong="H0120"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w* \w or|strong="H0120"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* crazy \w things|strong="H0834"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* thought \w about|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w one|strong="H0120"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w next|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w The|strong="H0853"\w* new \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w same|strong="H0853"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w kings|strong="H4428"\w* before \w him|strong="H0853"\w*.\f + \fr 2:12  \fk And I thought … before him \ft The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.\f* 
\v 13 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* better \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w foolishness|strong="H5531"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w same|strong="H4480"\w* way \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w light|strong="H0216"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* better \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*. 
\v 14 \w Wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H5869"\w* use \w their|strong="H3605"\w* minds \w like|strong="H1980"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w* where \w they|strong="H1571"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w*. \w But|strong="H1571"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w*, \w it|strong="H3045"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* if \w they|strong="H1571"\w* \w are|strong="H5869"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dark|strong="H2822"\w*. 
\p \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* saw \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H5869"\w* \w both|strong="H1571"\w* end \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* \w way|strong="H1980"\w*. 
\v 15 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “\w The|strong="H0559"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w* \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w happens|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w me|strong="H0589"\w*. \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* tried \w so|strong="H1571"\w* hard \w to|strong="H0559"\w* become \w wise|strong="H2449"\w*?” \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “Being \w wise|strong="H2449"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*.” 
\v 16 Whether people \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* still \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* remember \w either|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H0935"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*. \w In|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* future, people \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w forget|strong="H7911"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H0935"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w*. \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* two \w are|strong="H3117"\w* really \w the|strong="H3605"\w* same. 
\s1 \w Is|strong="H0369"\w* \w There|strong="H0369"\w* Real Happiness \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w Life|strong="H3117"\w*? 
\p
\v 17 \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H5921"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w was|strong="H7307"\w* depressing \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w think|strong="H8130"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*, \w like|strong="H8478"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5921"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*. 
\p
\v 18 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w began|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hard \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w*, \w because|strong="H8478"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* saw \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* live \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* get \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w worked|strong="H6001"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* able \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* \w with|strong="H3605"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w*. 
\v 19 \w Some|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w control|strong="H7980"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w worked|strong="H5998"\w* \w and|strong="H3045"\w* studied \w for|strong="H8478"\w*. \w And|strong="H3045"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* don’t \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H0176"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w or|strong="H0176"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5530"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* senseless. 
\p
\v 20 \w So|strong="H0589"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* became sad \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w had|strong="H0853"\w* \w done|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 21 \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H3426"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w hard|strong="H5998"\w* using \w all|strong="H1571"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w skill|strong="H2451"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* die \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* get \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w things|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w worked|strong="H5998"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w do|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* get everything. \w That|strong="H3588"\w* \w makes|strong="H5414"\w* \w me|strong="H5414"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* sad. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* fair \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* senseless. 
\p
\v 22 \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* really \w have|strong="H3605"\w* \w after|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w and|strong="H0120"\w* struggling \w in|strong="H8478"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w life|strong="H3820"\w*? 
\v 23 \w Throughout|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w pain|strong="H4341"\w*, frustrations, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* hard work. \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w person’s|strong="H3820"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rest|strong="H7901"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* senseless. 
\p
\v 24-25 There is no one who has tried to enjoy life more than I have. And this is what I learned: The best thing people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy the work they must do. I also saw that this comes from God.\f + \fr 2:24-25  \ft Or “\fv 24 \fv*\ft The best people can do is eat, drink, and enjoy their work. I also saw that this comes from God. \fv 25 \fv*\ft No one can eat or enjoy life without God.”\f* 
\v 26 \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w do|strong="H2088"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* please \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H0120"\w* \w sin|strong="H2398"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* get \w only|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w work|strong="H5414"\w* \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w gathering|strong="H0622"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* carrying things. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w takes|strong="H5414"\w* \w from|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* bad \w person|strong="H0120"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w person|strong="H0120"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H0622"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w work|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*. \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H6440"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5414"\w* catch \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*. 
\c 3  
\s1 A Time for Everything 
\p
\v 1 \w There|strong="H8478"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H8478"\w* \w right|strong="H8478"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*, \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w* \w will|strong="H8064"\w* happen \w at|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H8478"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 2 There \w is|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*. 
\q1 There \w is|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w plant|strong="H5193"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* pull up \w plants|strong="H5193"\w*. 
\q1
\v 3 There \w is|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w*. 
\q1 There \w is|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w destroy|strong="H2026"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w*. 
\q1
\v 4 There is \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* cry 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1058"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w laugh|strong="H7832"\w*. 
\q1 There is \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w be|strong="H6256"\w* sad 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1058"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w dance|strong="H7540"\w* with joy. 
\q1
\v 5 There \w is|strong="H0068"\w* \w a|strong="H7993"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w throw|strong="H7993"\w* weapons \w down|strong="H7993"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H0068"\w* \w a|strong="H7993"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* pick \w them|strong="H7993"\w* up.\f + \fr 3:5  \ft Literally, “There is a time to throw stones away and a time to gather stones.”\f* 
\q1 There \w is|strong="H0068"\w* \w a|strong="H7993"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w hug|strong="H2263"\w* someone 
\q2 \w and|strong="H0068"\w* \w a|strong="H7993"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* stop holding so tightly. 
\q1
\v 6 There is \w a|strong="H1245"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w look|strong="H1245"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w something|strong="H8104"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H8104"\w* \w a|strong="H1245"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* consider \w it|strong="H7993"\w* \w lost|strong="H0006"\w*. 
\q1 There is \w a|strong="H1245"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w things|strong="H6256"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H8104"\w* \w a|strong="H1245"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w throw|strong="H7993"\w* \w things|strong="H6256"\w* \w away|strong="H7993"\w*. 
\q1
\v 7 There \w is|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w tear|strong="H7167"\w* cloth 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w sew|strong="H8609"\w* \w it|strong="H1696"\w*. 
\q1 There \w is|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w be|strong="H6256"\w* \w silent|strong="H2814"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H1696"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w*. 
\q1
\v 8 \w There|strong="H7965"\w* \w is|strong="H8130"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4421"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w*. 
\q1 \w There|strong="H7965"\w* \w is|strong="H8130"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w* 
\q2 \w and|strong="H4421"\w* \w a|strong="H6256"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*. 
\s1 God Controls \w His|strong="H8130"\w* World 
\p
\v 9 \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* really gain \w anything|strong="H4100"\w* \w from|strong="H0834"\w* \w their|strong="H0834"\w* hard work? 
\v 10 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* all \w the|strong="H0853"\w* hard \w work|strong="H5414"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* do. 
\v 11 \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w us|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* ability \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w think|strong="H3820"\w* \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* world,\f + \fr 3:11  \fk the ability … world \ft Or “a desire to know the future.”\f* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w completely|strong="H3605"\w* understand \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w*. \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w yet|strong="H1571"\w*, \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w at|strong="H0430"\w* \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w right|strong="H1571"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*. 
\p
\v 12 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0518"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H0369"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w* \w and|strong="H3045"\w* enjoy \w themselves|strong="H2896"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* long \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w live|strong="H2416"\w*. 
\v 13 \w God|strong="H0430"\w* wants \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w*, \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w*. \w These|strong="H1931"\w* \w are|strong="H0430"\w* \w gifts|strong="H4991"\w* \w from|strong="H0430"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\p
\v 14 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w learned|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w continue|strong="H1961"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*. \w People|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H4480"\w* \w add|strong="H3254"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* work \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H4480"\w* \w take|strong="H1961"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w did|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w would|strong="H0834"\w* \w respect|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 15 \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* past \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* future \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*. \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* wants \w to|strong="H1961"\w* help \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* treated badly.\f + \fr 3:15  \ft Or “What happens now also happened in the past. What happens in the future has also happened before. God makes things happen again and again.”\f* 
\p
\v 16 \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w also|strong="H5750"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* these things \w in|strong="H5750"\w* this \w life|strong="H5750"\w*\f + \fr 3:16  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.”\f*: \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* courts should \w be|strong="H5750"\w* filled \w with|strong="H8033"\w* goodness \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w fairness|strong="H6664"\w*, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H4941"\w* \w evil|strong="H7562"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* now. 
\v 17 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “\w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* planned \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* planned \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H7563"\w* \w do|strong="H4639"\w*. \w He|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w good|strong="H2656"\w* \w people|strong="H7563"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* bad \w people|strong="H7563"\w*.” 
\s1 \w Are|strong="H7563"\w* \w People|strong="H7563"\w* \w Like|strong="H3820"\w* Animals? 
\p
\v 18 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w about|strong="H5921"\w* \w what|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w do|strong="H0589"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* each other. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w*, “\w God|strong="H0430"\w* wants \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w like|strong="H1121"\w* \w animals|strong="H0929"\w*. 
\v 19 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w* happens \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w animals|strong="H0929"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w*—\w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w die|strong="H4194"\w*. \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w animals|strong="H0929"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* ‘\w breath|strong="H7307"\w*.’\f + \fr 3:19  \fk breath \ft Or “spirit.”\f* \w Is|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w dead|strong="H4194"\w* \w animal|strong="H0929"\w* different \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w dead|strong="H4194"\w* \w person|strong="H0120"\w*? \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w* senseless! 
\v 20 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* bodies \w of|strong="H4480"\w* people \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w animals|strong="H1961"\w* end \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* \w way|strong="H1980"\w*. \w They|strong="H3605"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H6083"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w*, \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* end, \w they|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w back|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H6083"\w*. 
\v 21 \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4310"\w* happens \w to|strong="H3381"\w* \w a|strong="H5927"\w* person’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w*? \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H5927"\w* human’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w goes|strong="H5927"\w* \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w to|strong="H3381"\w* God \w while|strong="H1931"\w* \w an|strong="H7307"\w* \w animal’s|strong="H0929"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w goes|strong="H5927"\w* \w down|strong="H3381"\w* \w into|strong="H0776"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w ground|strong="H0776"\w*?” 
\p
\v 22 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*, \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w all|strong="H0310"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w*. \w Besides|strong="H0310"\w*, \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* help \w another|strong="H0120"\w* \w person|strong="H0120"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* future. 
\c 4  
\s1 Is It Better to Be Dead? 
\p
\v 1 \w Again|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* many \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w treated|strong="H6213"\w* badly. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w tears|strong="H1832"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w comfort|strong="H5162"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* cruel \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w comfort|strong="H5162"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* hurt. 
\v 2 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* decided \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w it|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* better \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w died|strong="H4191"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w for|strong="H4191"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w still|strong="H5728"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*. 
\v 3 \w And|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w those|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* die \w at|strong="H7200"\w* \w birth|strong="H3808"\w*, \w because|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* world.\f + \fr 4:3  \fk in this world \ft Literally, “under the sun.”\f* 
\s1 \w Why|strong="H0834"\w* \w Work|strong="H4639"\w* \w So|strong="H6213"\w* Hard? 
\p
\v 4 \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* thought, “\w Why|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H4639"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w so|strong="H1571"\w* hard?” \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* try \w to|strong="H0376"\w* succeed \w and|strong="H0376"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* better \w than|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H4639"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H0376"\w* jealous. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* don’t want \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w more|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* senseless. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H0376"\w* trying \w to|strong="H0376"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.\f + \fr 4:4  \fk trying to catch the wind \ft Or “It is very troubling to the spirit.” The word for “troubling” can also mean “craving,” and the word for “spirit” can also mean “wind.” Also in verse 16.\f* 
\p
\v 5 \w Some|strong="H3027"\w* \w people|strong="H1320"\w* say, “\w It|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* fold \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w do|strong="H3027"\w* nothing. If \w you|strong="H0853"\w* don’t work, \w you|strong="H0853"\w* \w will|strong="H1320"\w* starve \w to|strong="H3027"\w* death.” 
\v 6 Maybe \w that|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H7307"\w* true. But I say \w it|strong="H4393"\w* \w is|strong="H7307"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7307"\w* be satisfied \w with|strong="H3709"\w* \w the|strong="H2896"\w* few things \w you|strong="H3709"\w* have \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7307"\w* always be struggling \w to|strong="H7307"\w* get more. 
\p
\v 7 \w Again|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* something else \w that|strong="H7200"\w* didn’t \w make|strong="H7200"\w* sense: 
\v 8 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* saw \w a|strong="H2088"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* family, \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H2088"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H2088"\w* \w brother|strong="H0251"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* continues \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* hard. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w* \w with|strong="H7646"\w* \w what|strong="H4310"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* works \w so|strong="H3808"\w* hard \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* stops \w and|strong="H1121"\w* asks \w himself|strong="H1931"\w*, “\w Why|strong="H3808"\w* \w am|strong="H0589"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* working \w so|strong="H3808"\w* hard? \w Why|strong="H3808"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w let|strong="H3808"\w* \w myself|strong="H0589"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7646"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H5315"\w*?” \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* senseless \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*. 
\s1 Friends \w and|strong="H1121"\w* Family Give \w Strength|strong="H5315"\w* 
\p
\v 9 \w Two|strong="H8147"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w*. \w When|strong="H0834"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w together|strong="H0259"\w*, \w they|strong="H1992"\w* get \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* done. 
\p
\v 10 \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* person \w falls|strong="H5307"\w*, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w* person \w can|strong="H0518"\w* reach \w out|strong="H6965"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w help|strong="H6965"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H0853"\w* \w who|strong="H0369"\w* \w are|strong="H0369"\w* \w alone|strong="H0259"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w help|strong="H6965"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w people|strong="H0518"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7901"\w* \w together|strong="H0259"\w*, \w they|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w warm|strong="H2552"\w*. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* person sleeping \w alone|strong="H0259"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w warm|strong="H2552"\w*. 
\p
\v 12 \w An|strong="H0518"\w* enemy might \w be|strong="H3808"\w* able \w to|strong="H5975"\w* defeat \w one|strong="H0259"\w* person, \w but|strong="H0518"\w* \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w can|strong="H0518"\w* \w stand|strong="H5975"\w* back-to-back \w to|strong="H5975"\w* \w defend|strong="H5975"\w* \w each|strong="H0259"\w* \w other|strong="H0259"\w*. \w And|strong="H5975"\w* \w three|strong="H8027"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H8147"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* stronger. \w They|strong="H0518"\w* \w are|strong="H8147"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w rope|strong="H2339"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H0518"\w* \w three|strong="H8027"\w* \w parts|strong="H8027"\w* wrapped \w together|strong="H0259"\w*—\w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w is|strong="H0259"\w* very hard \w to|strong="H5975"\w* \w break|strong="H5423"\w*. 
\s1 \w People|strong="H3808"\w*, Politics, \w and|strong="H5975"\w* Popularity 
\p
\v 13 \w A|strong="H0834"\w* \w young|strong="H3206"\w* leader \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w*. \w That|strong="H0834"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* listen \w to|strong="H4428"\w* warnings. 
\v 14 Maybe \w the|strong="H3588"\w* young ruler \w was|strong="H1004"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w poor|strong="H7326"\w* \w man|strong="H7326"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*. \w And|strong="H1004"\w* maybe \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w from|strong="H3318"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3205"\w* \w rule|strong="H4438"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* country. 
\v 15 \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w watched|strong="H7200"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w this|strong="H0834"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*,\f + \fr 4:15  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.”\f* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* know \w this|strong="H0834"\w*: \w People|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w follow|strong="H1980"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w young|strong="H3206"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*. \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w become|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* new king. 
\v 16 Many \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w follow|strong="H1961"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* young \w man|strong="H3605"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w later|strong="H7093"\w*, \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* senseless. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* trying \w to|strong="H1961"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*. 
\c 5  
\s1 Be Careful About Making Promises 
\p
\v 1 \w Be|strong="H1961"\w* \w very|strong="H3651"\w* careful \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w worship|strong="H3651"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. \w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w better|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* listen \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w give|strong="H1961"\w* sacrifices \w like|strong="H1961"\w* fools. Fools often \w do|strong="H0408"\w* bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* know \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 2 \w Be|strong="H1697"\w* careful \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w make|strong="H3588"\w* \w promises|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* God. \w Be|strong="H1697"\w* careful \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w say|strong="H6963"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w*. Don’t let \w your|strong="H0935"\w* feelings \w cause|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w speak|strong="H1697"\w* too \w soon|strong="H3588"\w*. God \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H0935"\w* heaven, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w on|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* earth. \w So|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w need|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w say|strong="H6963"\w* only \w a|strong="H3588"\w* few \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w him|strong="H0935"\w*. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w saying|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* true: 
\b
\q1
\v 3 Bad dreams come \w from|strong="H0430"\w* too many worries, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H0430"\w* too many words come \w from|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* mouth \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 4 \w If|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w make|strong="H5087"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* promise \w to|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*, keep \w your|strong="H0834"\w* promise. \w Don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* slow \w to|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H7999"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w promised|strong="H5087"\w*. \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w happy|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H0834"\w* fools. Give \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w promised|strong="H5087"\w* \w to|strong="H0834"\w* give \w him|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\v 5 \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w better|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w promise|strong="H0559"\w* \w nothing|strong="H0408"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w promise|strong="H0559"\w* something \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w not|strong="H0408"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* \w able|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w do|strong="H0408"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*. 
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* don’t let \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w cause|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0430"\w* sin. Don’t \w say|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* priest,\f + \fr 5:6  \fk priest \ft Or “angel” or “messenger.” This might be an angel, a priest, or a prophet.\f* “\w I|strong="H3588"\w* didn’t mean \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*.” \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* do \w this|strong="H3588"\w*, \w God|strong="H0430"\w* might become angry \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* destroy everything \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* worked \w for|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\v 7 \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* \w not|strong="H0408"\w* \w let|strong="H0408"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* useless dreams \w and|strong="H4941"\w* bragging bring \w you|strong="H3588"\w* trouble. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* \w respect|strong="H5921"\w* God. 
\s1 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w Every|strong="H4082"\w* Ruler There \w Is|strong="H4941"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* Ruler 
\p
\v 8 \w In|strong="H0776"\w* \w some|strong="H3605"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* see poor \w people|strong="H0776"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H0776"\w* forced \w to|strong="H0776"\w* \w work|strong="H5647"\w* very hard. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* see \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w not|strong="H0776"\w* fair \w to|strong="H0776"\w* \w them|strong="H5647"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w against|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* rights. \w But|strong="H4428"\w* don’t \w be|strong="H0776"\w* surprised! \w The|strong="H3605"\w* ruler \w who|strong="H3605"\w* forces \w them|strong="H5647"\w* \w to|strong="H0776"\w* \w work|strong="H5647"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* another ruler \w who|strong="H3605"\w* forces \w him|strong="H5647"\w*. \w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* still another ruler \w who|strong="H3605"\w* forces \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* rulers. 
\v 9 \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* king \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H2088"\w* slave—\w his|strong="H3808"\w* country owns \w him|strong="H0157"\w*.\f + \fr 5:9  \fk The ruler … owns him \ft Or “One ruler is cheated by a higher ruler. And they are cheated by an even higher ruler. \fv 9 \fv*\ft Even the king gets his share of the profit. The wealth of the country is divided among them.”\f* 
\s1 \w Wealth|strong="H1995"\w* \w Cannot|strong="H3808"\w* Buy Happiness 
\p
\v 10 \w Those|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H4100"\w* love money \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w never|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H5869"\w* satisfied \w with|strong="H0398"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* money \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w*. \w Those|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H4100"\w* love wealth \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w not|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H5869"\w* satisfied \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* get \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w and|strong="H0398"\w* \w more|strong="H7235"\w*. \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w also|strong="H3588"\w* senseless. 
\p
\v 11 \w The|strong="H5647"\w* \w more|strong="H0369"\w* wealth \w people|strong="H0518"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w*, \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w more|strong="H0369"\w* “friends” \w they|strong="H0518"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* help spend \w it|strong="H0518"\w*. \w So|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H5647"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* really gain \w nothing|strong="H0369"\w*. \w They|strong="H0518"\w* \w can|strong="H0518"\w* \w only|strong="H0518"\w* look \w at|strong="H0398"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* wealth. 
\p
\v 12 Those \w who|strong="H8104"\w* work hard all day come home \w and|strong="H7200"\w* sleep \w in|strong="H7200"\w* peace. \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* not important \w if|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H7451"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* little \w or|strong="H7200"\w* much \w to|strong="H8104"\w* eat. \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w rich|strong="H6239"\w* worry about \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w* \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w are|strong="H3426"\w* not able \w to|strong="H8104"\w* sleep. 
\p
\v 13 \w There|strong="H0369"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3205"\w* very sad \w thing|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* seen happen \w in|strong="H1121"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* life.\f + \fr 5:13  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.” Also in 6:1.\f* \w People|strong="H1121"\w* save \w their|strong="H0369"\w* money \w for|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* future.\f + \fr 5:13  \fk for the future \ft Or “to their harm.”\f* 
\v 14 \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w something|strong="H3972"\w* bad happens \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* lose \w everything|strong="H0834"\w*. \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w their|strong="H5375"\w* children. 
\p
\v 15 People \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w into|strong="H0935"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* world \w with|strong="H0935"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w when|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* die, \w they|strong="H3651"\w* leave \w with|strong="H0935"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w*. \w They|strong="H3651"\w* might \w work|strong="H5998"\w* \w hard|strong="H5998"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w get|strong="H0935"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*, \w but|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* cannot \w take|strong="H0935"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w with|strong="H0935"\w* \w them|strong="H0935"\w* \w when|strong="H0935"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* die. 
\v 16 \w It|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w very|strong="H1571"\w* sad \w that|strong="H3605"\w* people leave \w the|strong="H3605"\w* world \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* came. \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w does|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H1571"\w* \w person|strong="H0398"\w* gain \w from|strong="H3117"\w* “trying \w to|strong="H3117"\w* catch \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wind”? 
\v 17 \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* get \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* filled \w with|strong="H0430"\w* sadness \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w sorrow|strong="H2896"\w*. \w In|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* end, \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* troubled, sick, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* angry. 
\s1 \w Enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w Your|strong="H3605"\w* Life’s \w Work|strong="H5999"\w* 
\p
\v 18 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* seen \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* best \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H0430"\w* earth: \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w should|strong="H0120"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w*, drink, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* enjoy \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* short time here. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* few days, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\p
\v 19 \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* gives \w some|strong="H3117"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w wealth|strong="H3808"\w*, property, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* power \w to|strong="H3820"\w* enjoy \w those|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H3808"\w*, \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* enjoy \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* accept \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* enjoy \w their|strong="H3588"\w* work—\w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* gift \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 20 People don’t have many years to live, so they must remember these things all their life. God will keep them busy with the work they love to do.\f + \fr 5:20  \fk God … to do \ft Or “God will do whatever he wants to them.”\f* 
\c 6  
\s1 Wealth Does Not Bring Happiness 
\p
\v 1 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w another|strong="H0120"\w* \w thing|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* life \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* not fair \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w very|strong="H7227"\w* hard \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w understand|strong="H7200"\w*. 
\v 2 \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w great|strong="H0430"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w*, \w riches|strong="H6239"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w honor|strong="H3519"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w need|strong="H0376"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w could|strong="H0376"\w* \w ever|strong="H2088"\w* \w want|strong="H5315"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w let|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* enjoy \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Some|strong="H4480"\w* \w stranger|strong="H5237"\w* \w comes|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w takes|strong="H5414"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* senseless \w thing|strong="H2088"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w A|strong="H1961"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* might \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* 100 \w children|strong="H3205"\w*. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w he|strong="H0518"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w* \w with|strong="H7646"\w* \w those|strong="H0376"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0376"\w* remembers \w him|strong="H3205"\w* \w after|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w death|strong="H5315"\w*, \w I|strong="H0518"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* baby \w who|strong="H0376"\w* dies \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w birth|strong="H3205"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w off|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\v 4 \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* senseless \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* baby \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w born|strong="H0935"\w* dead. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* baby \w is|strong="H8034"\w* quickly buried \w in|strong="H0935"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w dark|strong="H2822"\w* grave, without \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w*. 
\v 5 \w The|strong="H7200"\w* baby \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w anything|strong="H3808"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* baby finds \w more|strong="H3808"\w* rest \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w man|strong="H7200"\w* \w who|strong="H2088"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* enjoyed \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* gave \w him|strong="H7200"\w*. 
\v 6 \w He|strong="H3808"\w* \w might|strong="H4725"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w* 2000 \w years|strong="H8141"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w if|strong="H0432"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w life|strong="H2421"\w*, \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* baby \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H0259"\w* \w born|strong="H3808"\w* dead \w has|strong="H3605"\w* found \w the|strong="H3605"\w* easiest \w way|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* end.\f + \fr 6:6  \fk then the baby … the same end \ft Or “Isn’t it true that all go to the same place?”\f* 
\p
\v 7 \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w to|strong="H5315"\w* feed \w themselves|strong="H5315"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H6310"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H4390"\w*. 
\v 8 \w In|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w same|strong="H4480"\w* \w way|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H1980"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* better \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w*. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* better \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w be|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w poor|strong="H6041"\w* \w person|strong="H1980"\w* \w who|strong="H6041"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* accept \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w*. 
\v 9 \w It|strong="H1980"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w happy|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w you|strong="H5315"\w* \w have|strong="H5869"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* always \w want|strong="H5315"\w* \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H5315"\w*. Always wanting \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w more|strong="H5315"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*. \w It|strong="H1980"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H4758"\w* trying \w to|strong="H1980"\w* catch \w the|strong="H1571"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.\f + \fr 6:9  \ft Or “Having what you can see is better than chasing after the things you want. This is also like trying to catch the wind.”\f* 
\p
\v 10-11 You are only what you were created to be—a human, and it is useless to argue about it. People cannot argue with God about this because he is more powerful than they are, and a long argument will not change that fact. 
\p
\v 12 \w Who|strong="H0834"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* short \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*? \w Their|strong="H3588"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* passes \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w shadow|strong="H6738"\w*. \w No|strong="H4310"\w* \w one|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H0310"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w later|strong="H0310"\w*. 
\c 7  
\s1 A Collection of Wise Teachings 
\q1
\v 1 \w A|strong="H3205"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w reputation|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* expensive pleasures.\f + \fr 7:1  \fk A good reputation … pleasures \ft Literally, “better a name than good perfume.” This is a wordplay in Hebrew. The word for “name” and the word for “perfume” sound alike.\f* 
\q2 \w The|strong="H3205"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* someone \w dies|strong="H4194"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H3117"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w*. 
\q1
\v 2 \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* go \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* funeral \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* party, 
\q2 \w because|strong="H0834"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* must die, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* need \w to|strong="H0413"\w* remember \w this|strong="H1931"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 3 \w Sorrow|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w laughter|strong="H7814"\w*, 
\q2 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w face|strong="H6440"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w sad|strong="H7455"\w*, \w our|strong="H3588"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w becomes|strong="H3588"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\q1
\v 4 A \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w* thinks \w about|strong="H1004"\w* death, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H3820"\w* a \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* thinks only \w about|strong="H1004"\w* having a good \w time|strong="H3820"\w*. 
\q1
\v 5 \w It|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H0376"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* criticized \w by|strong="H1606"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* 
\q2 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* praised \w by|strong="H1606"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w*. 
\q1
\v 6 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w laughter|strong="H7814"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w such|strong="H2088"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* waste. 
\q2 \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* thorns burning \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w pot|strong="H5518"\w*. 
\q1 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* thorns burn \w so|strong="H3651"\w* quickly 
\q2 \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w pot|strong="H5518"\w* \w does|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* get hot.\f + \fr 7:6  \ft Or “The cackling of fools, like the crackling of thorns under a pot, is senseless.”\f* 
\q1
\v 7 \w Even|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* forget \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H3820"\w*, 
\q2 \w if|strong="H3588"\w* someone pays \w them|strong="H0853"\w* enough. 
\q2 \w That|strong="H3588"\w* money \w destroys|strong="H0006"\w* \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w understanding|strong="H3820"\w*. 
\q1
\v 8 \w It|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* finish \w something|strong="H1697"\w* 
\q2 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* start \w it|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\q1 \w It|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* gentle \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w patient|strong="H0750"\w* 
\q2 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* proud \w and|strong="H1697"\w* impatient. 
\q1
\v 9 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* become \w angry|strong="H3707"\w* \w quickly|strong="H0926"\w*, 
\q2 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w anger|strong="H3707"\w* \w is|strong="H7307"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w*. 
\q1
\v 10 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w Life|strong="H3117"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* ‘\w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w old|strong="H7223"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*.’ 
\q2 \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w*?” 
\q2 \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* lead \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w question|strong="H7592"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 11 \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H2451"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w if|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H5973"\w* also \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w property|strong="H5159"\w*. \w Wise|strong="H2451"\w* \w people|strong="H7200"\w*\f + \fr 7:11  \fk Wise people \ft Literally, “People who see the sun.” This means wise people can see and plan what they should do.\f* \w will|strong="H2451"\w* get \w more|strong="H3148"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* enough wealth. 
\v 12 \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* can protect \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w gained|strong="H3504"\w* \w through|strong="H3588"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H2451"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* better—\w it|strong="H3588"\w* can save \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w life|strong="H2421"\w*. 
\p
\v 13 \w Look|strong="H7200"\w* \w at|strong="H0430"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w has|strong="H0430"\w* \w made|strong="H4639"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3201"\w* change \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w*, \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w think|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* wrong. 
\v 14 \w When|strong="H1961"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*, \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* hard, remember \w that|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* gives \w us|strong="H5921"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* hard \w times|strong="H3117"\w*. \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* knows \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* future. 
\s1 \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w Cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w Really|strong="H2088"\w* \w Be|strong="H1961"\w* \w Good|strong="H2896"\w* 
\p
\v 15 \w In|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* short \w life|strong="H3117"\w*, \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*. \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* good \w people|strong="H7563"\w* \w die|strong="H0006"\w* \w young|strong="H3117"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w people|strong="H7563"\w* \w live|strong="H0748"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* lives. 
\v 16-17 So why ruin your life? Don’t be too good or too bad, and don’t be too wise or too foolish. Why should you die before your time? 
\p
\v 18 Try \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* little \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* little \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w*.\f + \fr 7:18  \fk Try … of that \ft Or “Hold onto this, but don’t let go of that.”\f* \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* followers \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w do|strong="H0408"\w* \w some|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w some|strong="H3605"\w* bad \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\v 19-20 Surely there is no one on earth who always does good and never sins. But wisdom can make one person stronger than ten leaders in a city. 
\p
\v 21 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w*. \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w might|strong="H0834"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* own \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w saying|strong="H1697"\w* bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\v 22 \w And|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w too|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* said bad \w things|strong="H0834"\w* \w about|strong="H3045"\w* \w other|strong="H0312"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w*. 
\p
\v 23 \w I|strong="H0559"\w* \w used|strong="H5254"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w thought|strong="H0559"\w* \w about|strong="H4480"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*. \w I|strong="H0559"\w* wanted \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w be|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2449"\w*, \w but|strong="H0559"\w* \w I|strong="H0559"\w* couldn’t \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. 
\v 24 \w I|strong="H7350"\w* cannot understand \w why|strong="H4100"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w*. \w It|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* too hard \w for|strong="H1961"\w* anyone \w to|strong="H1961"\w* understand. 
\v 25 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* studied \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* \w very|strong="H3045"\w* hard \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* true \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*. \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w a|strong="H1245"\w* reason \w for|strong="H3045"\w* everything. 
\p \w I|strong="H0589"\w* did \w learn|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H3045"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w evil|strong="H7562"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w it|strong="H3045"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* crazy \w to|strong="H3820"\w* act \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H1245"\w* fool. 
\v 26 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w also|strong="H0853"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w some|strong="H4480"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* dangerous \w like|strong="H0834"\w* traps. \w Their|strong="H6440"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w nets|strong="H2764"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w arms|strong="H3027"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w chains|strong="H0612"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* worse \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w caught|strong="H3920"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w women|strong="H0802"\w*. \w God’s|strong="H0430"\w* followers \w should|strong="H0802"\w* \w run|strong="H4422"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. Let \w the|strong="H0853"\w* sinners \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w caught|strong="H3920"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w*. 
\p
\v 27-28 The Teacher says, “I added all this together to see what answer I could find. I am still looking for answers, but I did find this: I found one good man in a thousand. But I did not find even one good woman. 
\p
\v 29 “\w There|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w thing|strong="H2088"\w* \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* learned. \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* good, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* ways \w to|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H0430"\w* bad.” 
\c 8  
\s1 Wisdom and Power 
\p
\v 1 \w No|strong="H4310"\w* \w one|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w explain|strong="H3045"\w* \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w way|strong="H1697"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w*. \w Their|strong="H6440"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w makes|strong="H6440"\w* \w them|strong="H6440"\w* happy. \w It|strong="H3045"\w* changes \w a|strong="H3045"\w* sad \w face|strong="H6440"\w* into \w a|strong="H3045"\w* happy \w one|strong="H0120"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w say|strong="H6310"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w should|strong="H8104"\w* always \w obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king’s|strong="H4428"\w* \w command|strong="H6310"\w*. \w Do|strong="H8104"\w* this \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* made \w a|strong="H5921"\w* promise \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 3 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* afraid \w to|strong="H6440"\w* give suggestions \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* king, \w and|strong="H6440"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* support \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w wrong|strong="H7451"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* remember, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* king \w gives|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w commands|strong="H1697"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* please \w him|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\v 4 \w He|strong="H0834"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w authority|strong="H7983"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* give \w commands|strong="H0559"\w*, \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H4310"\w* \w one|strong="H0834"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w tell|strong="H0559"\w* \w him|strong="H0559"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. 
\v 5 \w People|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* safe if \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w command|strong="H4687"\w*. \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w right|strong="H4941"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w do|strong="H8104"\w* \w this|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w they|strong="H3808"\w* \w also|strong="H6256"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w when|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w do|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w right|strong="H4941"\w* \w thing|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\p
\v 6 \w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w right|strong="H4941"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w right|strong="H4941"\w* \w way|strong="H4941"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* must \w decide|strong="H4941"\w* \w what|strong="H4941"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w*, \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* might \w cause|strong="H4941"\w* problems 
\v 7 \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w sure|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*. \w No|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* future. 
\p
\v 8 \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H0369"\w* \w has|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* power \w to|strong="H0369"\w* keep \w their|strong="H3808"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w from|strong="H3117"\w* leaving \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w stop|strong="H3808"\w* \w their|strong="H3808"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w*. \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w*, \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w soldier|strong="H4421"\w* \w has|strong="H0369"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* freedom \w to|strong="H0369"\w* go wherever \w he|strong="H3117"\w* wants. \w In|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w same|strong="H0853"\w* way \w evil|strong="H7562"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* allow \w anyone|strong="H0120"\w* \w who|strong="H0369"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* wrong \w to|strong="H0369"\w* go free. 
\p
\v 9 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* hard \w about|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* happen \w in|strong="H5414"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* world. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* struggle \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* power \w to|strong="H5414"\w* rule others, \w and|strong="H0120"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*. 
\p
\v 10 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* great \w and|strong="H1980"\w* beautiful funerals \w for|strong="H3651"\w* \w evil|strong="H7563"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w*. \w While|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w were|strong="H0834"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w home|strong="H4725"\w* \w after|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* funeral services, \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w said|strong="H3651"\w* good \w things|strong="H0834"\w* \w about|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w evil|strong="H7563"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* died. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w happened|strong="H0935"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w towns|strong="H5892"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w evil|strong="H7563"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w had|strong="H0834"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* many bad \w things|strong="H0834"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* senseless. 
\s1 Justice, Rewards, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* Punishment 
\p
\v 11 Sometimes \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* immediately punished \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*. \w Their|strong="H5921"\w* punishment \w is|strong="H0369"\w* slow \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w come|strong="H4390"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w makes|strong="H6213"\w* \w other|strong="H0369"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* want \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w too|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\p
\v 12 \w A|strong="H1961"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w* \w might|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w still|strong="H1571"\w* \w live|strong="H0748"\w* \w a|strong="H1961"\w* \w long|strong="H0748"\w* \w time|strong="H1961"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w still|strong="H1571"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w obey|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w respect|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*. 
\v 13 \w Evil|strong="H7563"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w respect|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* get \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w live|strong="H0748"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w lives|strong="H1961"\w*. \w Their|strong="H6440"\w* \w lives|strong="H1961"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w shadows|strong="H6738"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w longer|strong="H3808"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w longer|strong="H3808"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* sun \w goes|strong="H6440"\w* \w down|strong="H6440"\w*. 
\p
\v 14 \w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* something else \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* seem fair. Bad \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0413"\w* bad \w people|strong="H0834"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* good \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w should|strong="H0559"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0413"\w* good \w people|strong="H0834"\w*. \w But|strong="H7563"\w* \w sometimes|strong="H3426"\w* bad \w things|strong="H4639"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0413"\w* good \w people|strong="H0834"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* good \w things|strong="H4639"\w* happen \w to|strong="H0413"\w* bad \w people|strong="H0834"\w*. \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H2088"\w* fair. 
\v 15 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* decided \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H0369"\w* \w more|strong="H0369"\w* important \w to|strong="H0369"\w* enjoy \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w thing|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H0518"\w* \w do|strong="H0518"\w* \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*\f + \fr 8:15  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.” Also in verse 16 and 9:3, 9, 11, 13.\f* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w*, \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* enjoy \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. \w At|strong="H3117"\w* least \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* help \w people|strong="H0120"\w* enjoy \w the|strong="H0853"\w* hard \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w do|strong="H0518"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w their|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*. 
\s1 \w We|strong="H3588"\w* \w Cannot|strong="H0369"\w* Understand \w All|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w Does|strong="H0834"\w* 
\p
\v 16 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w carefully|strong="H6213"\w* studied \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w things|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w how|strong="H0834"\w* busy \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w*. \w They|strong="H0834"\w* \w work|strong="H5414"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w*, \w and|strong="H0776"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w almost|strong="H0369"\w* \w never|strong="H0369"\w* \w sleep|strong="H8142"\w*. 
\v 17 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w does|strong="H6213"\w*. \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* try \w and|strong="H0430"\w* try \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w happen|strong="H4672"\w* \w here|strong="H4672"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w*. \w There|strong="H4672"\w* \w may|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* claim \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* meaning \w of|strong="H0430"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* wrong. \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\c 9  
\s1 Is Death Fair? 
\p
\v 1 \w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w about|strong="H0413"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w carefully|strong="H3605"\w*. \w I|strong="H0834"\w* saw \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w controls|strong="H3820"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* happens \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* good \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w do|strong="H3027"\w*. \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* loved \w or|strong="H0369"\w* \w hated|strong="H8135"\w*, \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* happen \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* future. 
\p
\v 2 \w But|strong="H0369"\w*, \w there|strong="H0369"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w one|strong="H0259"\w* \w thing|strong="H0259"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* happens \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w*—\w we|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* die! Death comes \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w and|strong="H2076"\w* bad \w people|strong="H0834"\w*. Death comes \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w pure|strong="H2889"\w* \w and|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H0369"\w* \w pure|strong="H2889"\w*. Death comes \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* give \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w and|strong="H2076"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* give \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w*. \w Good|strong="H2896"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* die \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* sinners \w do|strong="H3605"\w*. \w Those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* make \w promises|strong="H7650"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* \w God|strong="H0369"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* die \w just|strong="H0834"\w* \w as|strong="H0834"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H0369"\w* make \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w promises|strong="H7650"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w Of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* happen \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* worst \w thing|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w end|strong="H0310"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H0259"\w* \w way|strong="H2088"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w very|strong="H2088"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* always \w think|strong="H3824"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* foolish \w thoughts|strong="H3820"\w*. \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w thoughts|strong="H3820"\w* \w lead|strong="H0413"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w death|strong="H4191"\w*. 
\v 4 \w There|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w hope|strong="H0986"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* still \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*—\w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w does|strong="H0834"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* matter \w who|strong="H0834"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* saying \w is|strong="H0834"\w* true: 
\b
\q1 \w A|strong="H3588"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w lion|strong="H0738"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 5 \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0369"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w anything|strong="H3972"\w*. \w They|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w more|strong="H5750"\w* \w reward|strong="H7939"\w*. \w People|strong="H3045"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w soon|strong="H3588"\w* \w forget|strong="H7911"\w* \w them|strong="H3045"\w*. 
\v 6 \w After|strong="H1992"\w* \w people|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* dead, \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w love|strong="H0160"\w*, \w hate|strong="H8135"\w*, \w and|strong="H5769"\w* \w jealousy|strong="H7068"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w gone|strong="H0369"\w*. \w And|strong="H5769"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H0369"\w* \w again|strong="H5750"\w* \w share|strong="H2506"\w* \w in|strong="H5750"\w* \w what|strong="H0834"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*. 
\s1 Enjoy \w Life|strong="H5750"\w* \w While|strong="H5750"\w* \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w Can|strong="H0834"\w* 
\p
\v 7 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* go \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w now|strong="H3588"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7521"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*. \w Drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w your|strong="H0398"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w be|strong="H3820"\w* \w happy|strong="H8057"\w*. \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H0430"\w* \w all|strong="H0398"\w* \w right|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H0854"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H4639"\w* these \w things|strong="H4639"\w*. 
\v 8 \w Wear|strong="H1961"\w* nice \w clothes|strong="H0899"\w* \w and|strong="H7218"\w* make \w yourself|strong="H5921"\w* look good. 
\v 9 \w Enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wife|strong="H0802"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w love|strong="H0157"\w*. \w Enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* short \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H0834"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* short \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*—\w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w*. \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*. 
\v 10 \w Every|strong="H3605"\w* time \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*, \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* best \w you|strong="H0859"\w* \w can|strong="H0834"\w*. \w In|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* grave \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w*. \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* thinking, \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w no|strong="H0369"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*. \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w we|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w death|strong="H7585"\w*. 
\s1 Life \w Is|strong="H0369"\w* \w Not|strong="H0369"\w* Fair 
\p
\v 11 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w other|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3899"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w* life \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* fair. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* fastest runner \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* win \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w race|strong="H4793"\w*; \w the|strong="H3605"\w* strongest \w soldier|strong="H4421"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* win \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*; \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* \w get|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w*; smart \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* \w get|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w*; educated \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H6256"\w* \w get|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w praise|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* deserve. \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* comes, bad \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H7200"\w* happen \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3605"\w*! 
\p
\v 12 \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* hard \w times|strong="H6256"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w come|strong="H5307"\w*. \w Like|strong="H3808"\w* \w fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* net \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w birds|strong="H6833"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w snare|strong="H3369"\w*, \w people|strong="H0120"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* often \w trapped|strong="H0270"\w* \w by|strong="H5921"\w* \w some|strong="H1992"\w* \w disaster|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w suddenly|strong="H6597"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* Power \w of|strong="H1121"\w* Wisdom 
\p
\v 13 \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* \w person|strong="H7200"\w* doing \w a|strong="H7200"\w* \w wise|strong="H2451"\w* \w thing|strong="H1931"\w* \w in|strong="H0413"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* life, \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w seemed|strong="H7200"\w* \w very|strong="H1419"\w* \w important|strong="H1419"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w me|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\v 14 There \w was|strong="H0376"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w small|strong="H6996"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w with|strong="H0413"\w* \w a|strong="H1129"\w* \w few|strong="H4592"\w* \w people|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. \w A|strong="H1129"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* fought \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w that|strong="H1419"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w* \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w put|strong="H0935"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* armies \w all|strong="H1419"\w* \w around|strong="H5437"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\v 15 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w there|strong="H4672"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H4672"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w* \w in|strong="H0376"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*. \w He|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* used \w his|strong="H0376"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* \w save|strong="H4422"\w* \w his|strong="H0376"\w* \w town|strong="H5892"\w*. After everything \w was|strong="H1931"\w* finished, \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H0120"\w* forgot about \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w man|strong="H0376"\w*. 
\v 16 \w But|strong="H0369"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w still|strong="H0559"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w strength|strong="H1369"\w*. \w They|strong="H0559"\w* forgot \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* man’s \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0559"\w* \w people|strong="H8085"\w* stopped \w listening|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H0559"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w he|strong="H0559"\w* \w said|strong="H0559"\w*. \w But|strong="H0369"\w* \w I|strong="H0589"\w* \w still|strong="H0559"\w* believe \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\b
\q1
\v 17 \w Words|strong="H1697"\w* \w spoken|strong="H1697"\w* by \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* more clearly 
\q2 than \w those|strong="H2450"\w* shouted by \w a|strong="H8085"\w* leader \w among|strong="H4910"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w*. 
\q1
\v 18 \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H2451"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w weapons|strong="H3627"\w* \w of|strong="H3627"\w* \w war|strong="H7128"\w*, 
\q2 but \w one|strong="H0259"\w* fool\f + \fr 9:18  \fk fool \ft Literally, “sinner.”\f* \w can|strong="H0259"\w* \w destroy|strong="H0006"\w* \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*. 
\b
\c  10  
\p
\v 1 \w A|strong="H4592"\w* \w few|strong="H4592"\w* \w dead|strong="H4194"\w* \w flies|strong="H2070"\w* \w will|strong="H2451"\w* make even \w the|strong="H4194"\w* best perfume \w stink|strong="H0887"\w*. \w In|strong="H4592"\w* \w the|strong="H4194"\w* same way, \w a|strong="H4592"\w* \w little|strong="H4592"\w* \w foolishness|strong="H5531"\w* can ruin much \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H8081"\w* \w honor|strong="H3519"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 \w The|strong="H3820"\w* \w thoughts|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H3820"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* lead them \w the|strong="H3820"\w* \w right|strong="H3225"\w* way, \w but|strong="H3225"\w* \w the|strong="H3820"\w* \w thoughts|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H3820"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w* lead them \w the|strong="H3820"\w* wrong way. 
\v 3 Fools show \w how|strong="H1870"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5530"\w* \w they|strong="H0559"\w* \w are|strong="H1870"\w*, \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w down|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w*. \w Their|strong="H3605"\w* \w minds|strong="H3820"\w* \w are|strong="H1870"\w* empty, \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* knows \w it|strong="H1931"\w*. 
\p
\v 4 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* quit \w your|strong="H5921"\w* job simply \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* boss \w is|strong="H7307"\w* angry \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* remain calm \w and|strong="H1419"\w* helpful, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H0518"\w* correct \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* mistakes.\f + \fr 10:4  \fk If you … great mistakes \ft Literally, “A healer can put to rest great sins.” The word “healer” means a person who is forgiving and tries to help other people.\f* 
\p
\v 5 \w Here|strong="H3318"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* something else \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* this life\f + \fr 10:5  \fk in this life \ft Literally, “under the sun.”\f* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* isn’t fair. \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* kind \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w mistake|strong="H7684"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w rulers|strong="H7989"\w* \w make|strong="H7200"\w*. 
\v 6 \w Fools|strong="H5529"\w* \w are|strong="H6223"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* important positions, \w while|strong="H4791"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* get jobs \w that|strong="H5414"\w* \w are|strong="H6223"\w* not important. 
\v 7 \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H0776"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w servants|strong="H5650"\w* riding \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w horses|strong="H5483"\w*, \w while|strong="H5921"\w* \w rulers|strong="H8269"\w* \w were|strong="H5650"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w beside|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H5921"\w* \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*. 
\s1 Every Job \w Has|strong="H5650"\w* \w Its|strong="H5921"\w* Dangers 
\p
\v 8 If you \w dig|strong="H2658"\w* \w a|strong="H2658"\w* hole, you might \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w into|strong="H5307"\w* \w it|strong="H2658"\w*. If you \w break|strong="H6555"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w a|strong="H2658"\w* \w wall|strong="H1447"\w*, you might be bitten \w by|strong="H5307"\w* \w a|strong="H2658"\w* \w snake|strong="H5175"\w*. 
\v 9 If \w you|strong="H6086"\w* \w are|strong="H0068"\w* moving large \w stones|strong="H0068"\w*, \w you|strong="H6086"\w* might \w be|strong="H6086"\w* hurt \w by|strong="H5265"\w* them. If \w you|strong="H6086"\w* cut down \w a|strong="H5265"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w*, \w you|strong="H6086"\w* \w are|strong="H0068"\w* \w in|strong="H0068"\w* danger \w of|strong="H6086"\w* it falling \w on|strong="H0068"\w* \w you|strong="H6086"\w*. 
\p
\v 10 \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H7043"\w* \w any|strong="H6440"\w* \w job|strong="H3808"\w* \w easier|strong="H7043"\w*. \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w very|strong="H2428"\w* hard \w to|strong="H6440"\w* cut \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* dull knife. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w you|strong="H0518"\w* \w sharpen|strong="H7043"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* knife, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w job|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w easier|strong="H7043"\w*. 
\p
\v 11 Someone might know how \w to|strong="H0369"\w* control \w snakes|strong="H5175"\w*. \w But|strong="H0518"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* skill \w is|strong="H0369"\w* useless \w if|strong="H0518"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w snake|strong="H5175"\w* bites \w when|strong="H0518"\w* \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w person|strong="H1167"\w* \w is|strong="H0369"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* around. 
\b
\q1
\v 12 \w Words|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* bring \w praise|strong="H8193"\w*, 
\q2 \w but|strong="H1104"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H1697"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* bring destruction. 
\b
\p
\v 13 Fools begin \w by|strong="H7451"\w* \w saying|strong="H1697"\w* \w something|strong="H1697"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w*. \w But|strong="H7451"\w* \w in|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w end|strong="H0319"\w*, \w they|strong="H6310"\w* \w speak|strong="H1697"\w* nonsense. 
\v 14 Fools \w are|strong="H0834"\w* always talking \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*. \w People|strong="H0120"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* future. 
\b
\q1
\v 15 \w Fools|strong="H3684"\w* aren’t smart enough \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w find|strong="H3045"\w* \w their|strong="H0834"\w* way home, 
\q2 \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w they|strong="H0834"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* hard \w all|strong="H3045"\w* \w their|strong="H0834"\w* lives. 
\s1 \w The|strong="H0834"\w* Value \w of|strong="H3045"\w* \w Work|strong="H5999"\w* 
\p
\v 16 \w It|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* very bad \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* if \w the|strong="H0398"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* \w like|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w child|strong="H5288"\w*. \w And|strong="H0776"\w* \w it|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* very bad \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* if \w its|strong="H0398"\w* \w rulers|strong="H8269"\w* \w use|strong="H0398"\w* \w all|strong="H0398"\w* \w their|strong="H0398"\w* time \w eating|strong="H0398"\w*. 
\v 17 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w it|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* very good \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0398"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* comes \w from|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* good family.\f + \fr 10:17  \fk comes from a good family \ft Literally, “is a son of freedmen.” This is a person who was never a slave and whose parents were not slaves.\f* \w And|strong="H1121"\w* \w it|strong="H0398"\w* \w is|strong="H0776"\w* very good \w for|strong="H0776"\w* \w a|strong="H0776"\w* \w country|strong="H0776"\w* \w if|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H0398"\w* \w rulers|strong="H8269"\w* control \w their|strong="H0398"\w* \w eating|strong="H0398"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* drinking. \w They|strong="H3808"\w* \w eat|strong="H0398"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* drink \w to|strong="H6256"\w* become \w strong|strong="H1369"\w*, \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* become drunk. 
\b
\q1
\v 18 If someone \w is|strong="H3027"\w* too lazy \w to|strong="H3027"\w* work, 
\q2 their \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w will|strong="H1004"\w* begin \w to|strong="H3027"\w* leak, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* roof \w will|strong="H1004"\w* fall \w in|strong="H1004"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 19 People enjoy eating, \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w makes|strong="H8055"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* happier. \w But|strong="H6030"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* solves \w a|strong="H8055"\w* lot \w of|strong="H3605"\w* problems. 
\s1 Gossip 
\p
\v 20 \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w say|strong="H6963"\w* bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*. \w Don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* think bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w him|strong="H0853"\w*. \w And|strong="H4428"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w say|strong="H6963"\w* bad \w things|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1697"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w people|strong="H0408"\w*, \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H8064"\w* alone \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* home. \w A|strong="H3588"\w* little \w bird|strong="H5775"\w* might fly \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w them|strong="H0853"\w* everything \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w said|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\c 11  
\s1 Boldly Face the Future 
\p
\v 1 Do good wherever \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H7971"\w*.\f + \fr 11:1  \fk Do good … go \ft Or “Throw your bread on the water.”\f* \w After|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w while|strong="H3117"\w*, \w the|strong="H6440"\w* good \w you|strong="H3588"\w* do \w will|strong="H4325"\w* \w come|strong="H4672"\w* back \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*. 
\p
\v 2 Invest \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* several different \w things|strong="H1961"\w*.\f + \fr 11:2  \fk Invest … different things \ft Or “Give a part to seven, or even eight.”\f* \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H1961"\w* might \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w There|strong="H8033"\w* \w are|strong="H0776"\w* \w some|strong="H8033"\w* things \w you|strong="H0518"\w* \w can|strong="H0518"\w* \w be|strong="H0776"\w* sure \w of|strong="H0776"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w are|strong="H0776"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H0776"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w*, \w they|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* pour \w water|strong="H4390"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*. \w If|strong="H0518"\w* \w a|strong="H0518"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w*—\w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w south|strong="H1864"\w* \w or|strong="H0518"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w*—\w then|strong="H5307"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w will|strong="H0776"\w* stay \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w it|strong="H0518"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w*. 
\p
\v 4 \w But|strong="H3808"\w* there \w are|strong="H3808"\w* some \w things|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* sure \w of|strong="H7307"\w*. \w You|strong="H3808"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w take|strong="H8104"\w* \w a|strong="H7200"\w* chance. \w If|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* wait \w for|strong="H3808"\w* perfect weather, \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H7307"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w plant|strong="H2232"\w* \w your|strong="H8104"\w* seeds. \w If|strong="H7200"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3808"\w* afraid \w that|strong="H7200"\w* every \w cloud|strong="H5645"\w* \w will|strong="H7307"\w* bring rain, \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H7307"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w harvest|strong="H7114"\w* \w your|strong="H8104"\w* crops. 
\p
\v 5 \w You|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w where|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* blows. \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* baby grows \w in|strong="H0430"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* mother’s \w womb|strong="H0990"\w*. \w In|strong="H0430"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H6106"\w* \w way|strong="H1870"\w*, \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w don’t|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w*—\w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w he|strong="H0834"\w* \w makes|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* happen. 
\p
\v 6 \w So|strong="H3588"\w* begin \w planting|strong="H2233"\w* \w early|strong="H1242"\w* \w in|strong="H0176"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*, \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w stop|strong="H0408"\w* working until \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w don’t|strong="H0408"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* might \w make|strong="H3045"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* rich. Maybe everything \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H0408"\w* \w will|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H0408"\w* successful. 
\p
\v 7 \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H0216"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w be|strong="H5869"\w* \w alive|strong="H7200"\w*. \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H0216"\w* \w nice|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w light|strong="H0216"\w* \w from|strong="H5869"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w*. 
\v 8 \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w should|strong="H0518"\w* enjoy \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*, \w no|strong="H0518"\w* matter \w how|strong="H3588"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w*. \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* die, \w and|strong="H0935"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* dead \w much|strong="H7235"\w* longer \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w alive|strong="H2421"\w*. \w And|strong="H0935"\w* \w after|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* dead, \w you|strong="H3588"\w* cannot \w do|strong="H0518"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w*. 
\s1 \w Serve|strong="H1961"\w* God \w While|strong="H1961"\w* \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w Are|strong="H3117"\w* \w Young|strong="H3117"\w* 
\p
\v 9 \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w young|strong="H0970"\w* \w people|strong="H5869"\w*, enjoy \w yourselves|strong="H5869"\w* \w while|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H0970"\w*. \w Be|strong="H3820"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w*. \w Do|strong="H3190"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w leads|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H0935"\w* \w do|strong="H3190"\w*. \w Do|strong="H3190"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* want, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* remember \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w judge|strong="H4941"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3190"\w*. 
\v 10 Don’t let \w your|strong="H3588"\w* anger control \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, \w and|strong="H3820"\w* don’t let \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w body|strong="H1320"\w* lead \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* sin.\f + \fr 11:10  \fk Don’t let … sin \ft Or “Don’t worry about things. Protect yourself from troubles.”\f* \w People|strong="H1320"\w* \w do|strong="H5493"\w* foolish things \w in|strong="H1320"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* dawn \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w life|strong="H3820"\w* \w while|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3820"\w* young. 
\c 12  
\s1 The Problems of Old Age 
\p
\v 1 \w Remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w your|strong="H0834"\w* Creator \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* \w young|strong="H3117"\w*, \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w bad|strong="H7451"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w*—\w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w come|strong="H0935"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w say|strong="H0559"\w*, “\w I|strong="H0834"\w* \w have|strong="H0834"\w* wasted \w my|strong="H0834"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w*.”\f + \fr 12:1  \fk I have wasted my life \ft Literally, “I take no pleasure in them.” This might mean “I don’t like the things I did when I was young” or “I don’t enjoy life now that I am old.”\f* 
\p
\v 2 Remember \w your|strong="H0834"\w* Creator \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* young, \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w time|strong="H5704"\w* \w comes|strong="H0216"\w* \w when|strong="H0834"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w moon|strong="H3394"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w become|strong="H7725"\w* \w dark|strong="H2821"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w*—\w before|strong="H5704"\w* problems \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* storm \w after|strong="H0310"\w* \w another|strong="H3808"\w*. 
\p
\v 3 \w At|strong="H3117"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H8104"\w* arms \w will|strong="H0376"\w* lose \w their|strong="H3588"\w* \w strength|strong="H2428"\w*. \w Your|strong="H8104"\w* legs \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w become|strong="H7200"\w* weak \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w bent|strong="H5791"\w*. \w Your|strong="H8104"\w* teeth \w will|strong="H0376"\w* fall \w out|strong="H7200"\w*, \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H0376"\w* \w able|strong="H2428"\w* \w to|strong="H0376"\w* chew \w your|strong="H8104"\w* \w food|strong="H1004"\w*. \w Your|strong="H8104"\w* eyes \w will|strong="H0376"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* clearly. 
\v 4 \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* become hard \w of|strong="H1323"\w* hearing. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* not \w hear|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w noise|strong="H6963"\w* \w in|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w streets|strong="H7784"\w*. Even \w the|strong="H3605"\w* stone \w grinding|strong="H2913"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w grain|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* seem quiet \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w*. \w You|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* not \w be|strong="H6963"\w* able \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w hear|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w women|strong="H1323"\w* \w singing|strong="H7892"\w*. \w But|strong="H3605"\w* even \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w a|strong="H3605"\w* \w bird|strong="H6833"\w* \w singing|strong="H7892"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* wake \w you|strong="H3605"\w* early \w in|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* morning \w because|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H1323"\w* not \w be|strong="H6963"\w* able \w to|strong="H6965"\w* sleep. 
\p
\v 5 \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w high|strong="H1364"\w* \w places|strong="H1004"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H1571"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* tripping \w over|strong="H0413"\w* every small \w thing|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w*. \w Your|strong="H3588"\w* hair \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w become|strong="H1980"\w* white \w like|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* flowers \w on|strong="H0413"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* \w almond|strong="H8247"\w* \w tree|strong="H8247"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* drag \w yourself|strong="H0413"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w* \w like|strong="H1870"\w* \w a|strong="H3588"\w* \w grasshopper|strong="H2284"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w*. \w You|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* lose \w your|strong="H3588"\w* desire,\f + \fr 12:5  \fk desire \ft Or “appetite” or “sexual desire.” The Hebrew text here is hard to understand.\f* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w then|strong="H1980"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w eternal|strong="H5769"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*. \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w mourners|strong="H5594"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* gather \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w streets|strong="H7784"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w carry|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* body \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* grave. 
\s1 Death 
\q1
\v 6 Remember \w your|strong="H5921"\w* Creator \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* \w are|strong="H0834"\w* young, 
\q2 \w before|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* rope snaps \w and|strong="H3701"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w bowl|strong="H1543"\w* \w is|strong="H0834"\w* \w crushed|strong="H7533"\w* 
\q1 \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w jar|strong="H3537"\w* \w broken|strong="H7665"\w* \w at|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w well|strong="H0834"\w*, 
\q2 \w like|strong="H0834"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w stone|strong="H0834"\w* cover \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H0834"\w* \w well|strong="H0834"\w* \w that|strong="H0834"\w* \w breaks|strong="H7665"\w* \w and|strong="H3701"\w* falls \w in|strong="H5921"\w*. 
\q1
\v 7 \w Your|strong="H5414"\w* body \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*. 
\q2 \w And|strong="H0430"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* die, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w the|strong="H0834"\w* \w earth|strong="H0776"\w*. 
\q1 \w But|strong="H1961"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w came|strong="H1961"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w God|strong="H0430"\w*, 
\q2 \w and|strong="H0430"\w* \w when|strong="H1961"\w* \w you|strong="H0834"\w* die, \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w will|strong="H0430"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H0413"\w* \w him|strong="H0413"\w*. 
\b
\p
\v 8 \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* so meaningless. \w The|strong="H3605"\w* Teacher \w says|strong="H0559"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H0559"\w* waste \w of|strong="H3605"\w* time!\f + \fr 12:8  \fk meaningless … a waste of time \ft The Hebrew word means “vapor,” “breath,” or “something that is useless, meaningless, empty, wrong, or a waste of time.”\f* 
\s1 Final Words \w of|strong="H3605"\w* Advice 
\p
\v 9 \w The|strong="H0853"\w* Teacher \w was|strong="H1961"\w* very \w wise|strong="H2450"\w*. \w He|strong="H0853"\w* \w used|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2450"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w teach|strong="H3925"\w* \w the|strong="H0853"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*. \w He|strong="H0853"\w* very carefully studied \w and|strong="H0853"\w* \w arranged|strong="H8626"\w*\f + \fr 12:9  \fk arranged \ft This Hebrew word means “to make straight,” “arrange,” “correct,” or “edit.”\f* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* teachings. 
\v 10 \w The|strong="H1697"\w* Teacher \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* very hard \w to|strong="H1697"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w right|strong="H0571"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*, \w and|strong="H1697"\w* he \w wrote|strong="H3789"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* teachings \w that|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w true|strong="H0571"\w* \w and|strong="H1697"\w* dependable. 
\p
\v 11 \w Words|strong="H1697"\w* \w from|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w like|strong="H1697"\w* sharp goads. When these \w sayings|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* written \w down|strong="H5414"\w* \w and|strong="H1697"\w* saved, they \w can|strong="H0259"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* \w used|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* guide people, \w just|strong="H1697"\w* \w as|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H5414"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w* uses \w a|strong="H5414"\w* sharp stick \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w make|strong="H5414"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* sheep go \w the|strong="H5414"\w* right \w way|strong="H1697"\w*. 
\v 12 \w So|strong="H6213"\w*, \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w study|strong="H3854"\w* \w these|strong="H1992"\w* sayings, \w but|strong="H0369"\w* \w be|strong="H1121"\w* careful about \w other|strong="H0369"\w* teachings. \w People|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* always writing \w books|strong="H5612"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* too \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w study|strong="H3854"\w* \w will|strong="H1121"\w* \w make|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* very tired. 
\p
\v 13-14 Now, what should we learn from everything that is written in this book?\f + \fr 12:13-14  \fk Now … book \ft Literally, “The sum of the matter, when all is heard, is ….”\f* The most important thing a person can do is to respect God and obey his commands, because he knows about everything people do—even the secret things. He knows about all the good and all the bad, and he will judge people for everything they do. 