\id ECC  
\h Ecclesiastes 
\toc1 Ecclesiastes 
\toc2 Ecclesiastes 
\mt1 Ecclesiastes  
\c 1  
\s1 Title  
\p
\v 1  \w The|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* Teacher, \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w David|strong="H1732"\w*, \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*:   
\s1 Introduction: Utter Futility  
\q1
\v 2 “\w Futile|strong="H1892"\w*! \w Futile|strong="H1892"\w*!” laments \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Teacher,  
\q1 “\w Absolutely|strong="H1892"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*! \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*!”   
\s1 Futility Illustrated from Nature  
\q1
\v 3  \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w benefit|strong="H3504"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* people get \w from|strong="H8478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* effort  
\q1 \w which|strong="H4100"\w* \w they|strong="H4100"\w* expend \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*?   
\q1
\v 4  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w comes|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w generation|strong="H1755"\w* \w goes|strong="H1980"\w*,  
\q1 but \w the|strong="H5975"\w* earth \w remains|strong="H5975"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* same \w through|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5975"\w* \w ages|strong="H5769"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w The|strong="H8033"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w rises|strong="H2224"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H8033"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* sets;  
\q1 \w it|strong="H1931"\w* hurries away \w to|strong="H8033"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w from|strong="H8033"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w rises|strong="H2224"\w* again.   
\q1
\v 6  \w The|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w goes|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w south|strong="H1864"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* circles \w around|strong="H5439"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w*;  
\q1 \w round|strong="H5439"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w round|strong="H5439"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w goes|strong="H1980"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w its|strong="H5921"\w* \w rounds|strong="H5437"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w returns|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w streams|strong="H5158"\w* \w flow|strong="H1980"\w* \w into|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w*, \w but|strong="H1992"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sea|strong="H3220"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H7725"\w* \w full|strong="H4392"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w streams|strong="H5158"\w* \w flow|strong="H1980"\w*, \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H3220"\w* \w flow|strong="H1980"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* \w monotony|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* tiresome; \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* bear \w to|strong="H1696"\w* describe \w it|strong="H7200"\w*:  
\q1 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w eye|strong="H5869"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w seeing|strong="H7200"\w*, \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ear|strong="H8085"\w* \w ever|strong="H3808"\w* \w content|strong="H4390"\w* \w with|strong="H4390"\w* \w hearing|strong="H8085"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w exists|strong="H1961"\w* \w now|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*;  
\q1 \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w truly|strong="H6213"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w Is|strong="H3426"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w anything|strong="H1697"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* someone \w can|strong="H7200"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w*, “\w Look|strong="H7200"\w* \w at|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*! \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w new|strong="H2319"\w*!”?  
\q1 \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w done|strong="H1961"\w* \w long|strong="H5769"\w* \w ago|strong="H5769"\w*, \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w our|strong="H7200"\w* \w time|strong="H5769"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* remembers \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w former|strong="H7223"\w* events,  
\q1 \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* anyone remember \w the|strong="H1961"\w* events \w that|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2146"\w* \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* future generations.   
\s1 Futility of Secular Accomplishment  
\q1
\v 12  \w I|strong="H5921"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* Teacher, \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w been|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*.   
\q1
\v 13  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* decided \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w carefully|strong="H6213"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w thoroughly|strong="H1875"\w* \w examine|strong="H1875"\w*  
\q1 \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w been|strong="H3605"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w*.  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5414"\w* concluded: \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* burdensome \w task|strong="H6045"\w*  
\q1 \w that|strong="H3605"\w* keeps \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w occupied|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w I|strong="H2009"\w* reflected \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* concluded: \w Everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H6213"\w* \w has|strong="H7307"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H2009"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* – \w like|strong="H7307"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*!   
\q1
\v 15  \w What|strong="H2642"\w* \w is|strong="H3808"\w* \w bent|strong="H5791"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* \w straightened|strong="H8626"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3808"\w* \w what|strong="H2642"\w* \w is|strong="H3808"\w* missing \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* supplied.   
\s1 Futility of Secular Wisdom  
\q1
\v 16  \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\q1 “\w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* \w become|strong="H1961"\w* \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w wiser|strong="H2451"\w* \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* predecessors \w who|strong="H3605"\w* ruled \w over|strong="H5921"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w have|strong="H1961"\w* acquired \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H3389"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*.”   
\q1
\v 17  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H5414"\w* decided \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w discern|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* benefit \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H3045"\w* \w over|strong="H5414"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w* behavior \w and|strong="H2451"\w* ideas;  
\q1 \w however|strong="H1571"\w*, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* concluded \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w endeavor|strong="H7475"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* trying \w to|strong="H5414"\w* chase \w the|strong="H5414"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*!   
\q1
\v 18  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w with|strong="H3708"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w comes|strong="H1847"\w* \w great|strong="H7227"\w* \w frustration|strong="H3708"\w*;  
\q1 whoever \w increases|strong="H3254"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w merely|strong="H3254"\w* \w increases|strong="H3254"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* heartache.   
\q1  
\c 2  
\p
\v 1   
\s1 \w Futility|strong="H1892"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w Self-Indulgent|strong="H8057"\w* \w Pleasure|strong="H8057"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\p  
\q1 “\w Come|strong="H3212"\w* \w now|strong="H4994"\w*, \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w try|strong="H5254"\w* \w self-indulgent|strong="H8057"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H8057"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w if|strong="H2009"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* worthwhile.”  
\q1 \w But|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w found|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*.   
\q1
\v 2  \w I|strong="H4100"\w* said \w of|strong="H6213"\w* partying, “\w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* folly,”  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H6213"\w* \w self-indulgent|strong="H8057"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H8057"\w*, “\w It|strong="H6213"\w* \w accomplishes|strong="H6213"\w* \w nothing|strong="H4100"\w*!”   
\q1
\v 3  \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w deeply|strong="H3820"\w* \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* effects \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w indulging|strong="H4900"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w*  
\q1 (\w all|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w while|strong="H5704"\w* \w my|strong="H7200"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w was|strong="H3820"\w* \w guiding|strong="H5090"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*)  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* effects \w of|strong="H1121"\w* behaving \w foolishly|strong="H5531"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w might|strong="H1121"\w* discover \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* profitable  
\q1 \w for|strong="H5704"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w few|strong="H4557"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w*.   
\s1 Futility of Materialism  
\q1
\v 4  \w I|strong="H1004"\w* \w increased|strong="H1431"\w* \w my|strong="H1129"\w* \w possessions|strong="H4639"\w*:  
\q1 \w I|strong="H1004"\w* \w built|strong="H1129"\w* \w houses|strong="H1004"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* myself;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H1004"\w* \w planted|strong="H5193"\w* \w vineyards|strong="H3754"\w* \w for|strong="H1004"\w* myself.   
\q1
\v 5  \w I|strong="H3605"\w* designed royal \w gardens|strong="H1593"\w* \w and|strong="H6086"\w* \w parks|strong="H6508"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* myself,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6086"\w* \w I|strong="H3605"\w* \w planted|strong="H5193"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w kinds|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H6086"\w* \w fruit|strong="H6529"\w* \w trees|strong="H6086"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H6213"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w I|strong="H6779"\w* \w constructed|strong="H6213"\w* \w pools|strong="H1295"\w* \w of|strong="H4325"\w* \w water|strong="H4325"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* myself,  
\q1 \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w irrigate|strong="H8248"\w* \w my|strong="H6213"\w* grove \w of|strong="H4325"\w* flourishing \w trees|strong="H6086"\w*.   
\q1
\v 7  \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w purchased|strong="H7069"\w* \w male|strong="H5650"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w female|strong="H8198"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w I|strong="H5650"\w* owned \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w born|strong="H1121"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5650"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w possessed|strong="H7069"\w* \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w livestock|strong="H4735"\w* – \w both|strong="H1571"\w* \w herds|strong="H1241"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w flocks|strong="H6629"\w* –  
\q1 \w than|strong="H7235"\w* \w any|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* predecessors \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w amassed|strong="H3664"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w gold|strong="H2091"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w myself|strong="H1571"\w*,  
\q1 \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* valuable treasures \w taken|strong="H6213"\w* \w from|strong="H1121"\w* kingdoms \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w provinces|strong="H4082"\w*.  
\q1 \w I|strong="H1571"\w* \w acquired|strong="H6213"\w* \w male|strong="H7891"\w* \w singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* female \w singers|strong="H7891"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w myself|strong="H1571"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* gives \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* sensual \w delight|strong="H8588"\w* – \w a|strong="H3068"\w* harem \w of|strong="H1121"\w* beautiful \w concubines|strong="H7705"\w*!   
\q1
\v 9  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H6440"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w far|strong="H3605"\w* wealthier \w than|strong="H3605"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* predecessors \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w Jerusalem|strong="H3389"\w*,  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H3254"\w* \w I|strong="H6440"\w* maintained \w my|strong="H3605"\w* objectivity:   
\q1
\v 10  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w restrain|strong="H4513"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w* \w from|strong="H5869"\w* getting \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* wanted;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w deny|strong="H4513"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H3605"\w* \w bring|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H7592"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H8057"\w*.  
\q1 \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w accomplishments|strong="H1992"\w* \w gave|strong="H1961"\w* \w me|strong="H7592"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*;  
\q1 \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w reward|strong="H2506"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* effort.   
\q1
\v 11  \w Yet|strong="H3605"\w* \w when|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w reflected|strong="H6437"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w had|strong="H3027"\w* \w accomplished|strong="H6213"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w effort|strong="H3027"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w had|strong="H3027"\w* expended \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w accomplish|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H6213"\w*,  
\q1 \w I|strong="H2009"\w* concluded: “\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H6213"\w* \w achievements|strong="H4639"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w possessions|strong="H4639"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* ultimately profitless –  
\q1 \w like|strong="H7307"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*!  
\q1 \w There|strong="H2009"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w gained|strong="H3504"\w* \w from|strong="H3027"\w* \w them|strong="H3027"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.”   
\s1 Wisdom is Better than Folly  
\q1
\v 12  \w Next|strong="H7200"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w decided|strong="H6437"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w consider|strong="H7200"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* well \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w* behavior \w and|strong="H4428"\w* ideas.  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w more|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s successor \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w than|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w has|strong="H4428"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*?   
\q1
\v 13  \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w realized|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w preferable|strong="H3504"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w folly|strong="H5531"\w*,  
\q1 \w just|strong="H3504"\w* \w as|strong="H5531"\w* light \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w preferable|strong="H3504"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*:   
\q1
\v 14  \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w* \w can|strong="H3045"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w* where \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w going|strong="H1980"\w*, \w but|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w walks|strong="H1980"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*.  
\q1 \w Yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w realized|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* same \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* \w happens|strong="H7136"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w them|strong="H7136"\w* \w both|strong="H1571"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w The|strong="H1696"\w* \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H1696"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w happen|strong="H7136"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w me|strong="H1696"\w*!  
\q1 \w Then|strong="H1696"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w did|strong="H4100"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* gain \w by|strong="H1571"\w* becoming \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w excessively|strong="H3148"\w* \w wise|strong="H2449"\w*?”  
\q1 \w So|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H2088"\w* lamented \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\q1 “\w The|strong="H1696"\w* benefits \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H3820"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* ultimately meaningless!”   
\q1
\v 16  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w*, \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*, \w will|strong="H3117"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w remembered|strong="H2146"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* very \w long|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H4191"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* come, \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H3117"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w been|strong="H5769"\w* \w forgotten|strong="H7911"\w*.  
\q1 Alas, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w* \w dies|strong="H4191"\w* – \w just|strong="H3605"\w* \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*!   
\q1
\v 17  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w loathed|strong="H8130"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w what|strong="H4639"\w*  
\q1 \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w* \w seems|strong="H3605"\w* awful \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w me|strong="H8130"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* benefits \w of|strong="H7307"\w* wisdom \w are|strong="H4639"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* – \w like|strong="H7307"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\s1 Futility of Being a Workaholic  
\q1
\v 18  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H8478"\w* \w loathed|strong="H8130"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H5999"\w* \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* effort,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w which|strong="H3605"\w* \w I|strong="H8478"\w* \w worked|strong="H6001"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* hard \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H8478"\w* \w I|strong="H8478"\w* must \w leave|strong="H3240"\w* \w it|strong="H1961"\w* behind \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* hands \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* successor.   
\q1
\v 19  \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w* \w or|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5530"\w*?  
\q1 \w Yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* master \w over|strong="H7980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H5999"\w* \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w labor|strong="H5999"\w*  
\q1 \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w which|strong="H4310"\w* \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w worked|strong="H5998"\w* \w so|strong="H1961"\w* \w wisely|strong="H2449"\w* \w on|strong="H1961"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*!  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*!   
\q1
\v 20  \w So|strong="H5437"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* began \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w despair|strong="H2976"\w* \w about|strong="H5437"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H5999"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w labor|strong="H5999"\w*  
\q1 \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w which|strong="H5998"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w worked|strong="H5998"\w* \w so|strong="H5437"\w* \w hard|strong="H5998"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H7451"\w* \w may|strong="H1571"\w* \w do|strong="H3426"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w with|strong="H1571"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w skill|strong="H2451"\w*;  
\q1 \w however|strong="H1571"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w must|strong="H1571"\w* \w hand|strong="H5414"\w* \w over|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fruit|strong="H5999"\w* \w of|strong="H2506"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w labor|strong="H5999"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* \w inheritance|strong="H2506"\w*  
\q1 \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w someone|strong="H5414"\w* \w else|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H7227"\w* \w did|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w an|strong="H5414"\w* awful \w injustice|strong="H3808"\w*!   
\s1 Painful Days and Restless Nights  
\q1
\v 22  \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w acquire|strong="H1933"\w* \w from|strong="H8478"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w labor|strong="H5999"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5999"\w* \w from|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* anxiety \w that|strong="H3588"\w* accompanies \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*?   
\q1
\v 23  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* work produces \w pain|strong="H4341"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w frustration|strong="H3708"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w at|strong="H3117"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* relax!  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*!   
\s1 Enjoy Work and its Benefits  
\q1
\v 24  \w There|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* nothing \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H5315"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* eat \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w find|strong="H7200"\w* \w enjoyment|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H5315"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w work|strong="H5999"\w*.  
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w perceived|strong="H7200"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w ability|strong="H3027"\w* \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w find|strong="H7200"\w* \w enjoyment|strong="H2896"\w* comes \w from|strong="H5315"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\q1
\v 25  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* eat \w and|strong="H4480"\w* drink  
\q1 \w or|strong="H4480"\w* experience \w joy|strong="H2351"\w* \w apart|strong="H2351"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w him|strong="H4480"\w*.   
\q1
\v 26  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2896"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w*, \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w*, \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w task|strong="H6045"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* amassing \w wealth|strong="H2896"\w* –  
\q1 \w only|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w give|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2896"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\p  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w task|strong="H6045"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* wicked \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* – \w like|strong="H7307"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*!   
\c 3  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w For|strong="H8478"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* \w an|strong="H8478"\w* \w appointed|strong="H2165"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H8064"\w* \w an|strong="H8478"\w* appropriate \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H8478"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w activity|strong="H2656"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8064"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w be|strong="H4191"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w*, \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w plant|strong="H5193"\w*, \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w uproot|strong="H6131"\w* \w what|strong="H5193"\w* \w was|strong="H3205"\w* \w planted|strong="H5193"\w*;   
\q1
\v 3  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w kill|strong="H2026"\w*, \w and|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w heal|strong="H7495"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w break|strong="H6555"\w* \w down|strong="H6555"\w*, \w and|strong="H1129"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w build|strong="H1129"\w* \w up|strong="H1129"\w*;   
\q1
\v 4  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w weep|strong="H1058"\w*, \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w laugh|strong="H7832"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w mourn|strong="H5594"\w*, \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w dance|strong="H7540"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w throw|strong="H7993"\w* \w away|strong="H7993"\w* stones, \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w gather|strong="H3664"\w* stones;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w embrace|strong="H2263"\w*, \w and|strong="H6256"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w refrain|strong="H7368"\w* \w from|strong="H7368"\w* \w embracing|strong="H2263"\w*;   
\q1
\v 6  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w search|strong="H1245"\w*, \w and|strong="H8104"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w give|strong="H8104"\w* \w something|strong="H8104"\w* up \w as|strong="H6256"\w* lost;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w*, \w and|strong="H8104"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w throw|strong="H7993"\w* \w away|strong="H7993"\w*;   
\q1
\v 7  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* rip, \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w sew|strong="H8609"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w keep|strong="H2814"\w* \w silent|strong="H2814"\w*, \w and|strong="H1696"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w speak|strong="H1696"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* love, \w and|strong="H7965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w to|strong="H6256"\w* \w hate|strong="H8130"\w*;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w war|strong="H4421"\w*, \w and|strong="H7965"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H6256"\w* \w peace|strong="H7965"\w*.   
\s1 Man is Ignorant of God’s Timing  
\q1
\v 9  \w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w benefit|strong="H3504"\w* \w can|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w worker|strong="H6213"\w* gain \w from|strong="H6213"\w* \w his|strong="H6213"\w* \w toil|strong="H6001"\w*?   
\q1
\v 10  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w observed|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* burden  
\q1 \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H1121"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w keep|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w* \w occupied|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w fit|strong="H6213"\w* beautifully \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w its|strong="H3605"\w* \w appropriate|strong="H3303"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H5704"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w ignorance|strong="H3820"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* human \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*  
\q1 \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w discover|strong="H4672"\w* \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w ordained|strong="H6213"\w*,  
\q1 \w from|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w beginning|strong="H7218"\w* \w to|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w end|strong="H5490"\w* \w of|strong="H7218"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* lives.   
\s1 Enjoy Life in the Present  
\q1
\v 12  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* concluded \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3045"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* nothing \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H3045"\w*  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w be|strong="H2416"\w* \w happy|strong="H8055"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* enjoy  
\q1 \w themselves|strong="H6213"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* long \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w live|strong="H2416"\w*,   
\q1
\v 13  \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* should eat \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w find|strong="H7200"\w* \w enjoyment|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H1931"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w gift|strong="H4991"\w* \w from|strong="H1571"\w* God.   
\s1 God’s Sovereignty  
\q1
\v 14  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3254"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* God \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w endure|strong="H1961"\w* \w forever|strong="H5769"\w*;  
\q1 \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3254"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w added|strong="H3254"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*, \w and|strong="H5769"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w taken|strong="H1639"\w* \w away|strong="H4480"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w*.  
\q1 God \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w this|strong="H6213"\w* \w way|strong="H6440"\w*, \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w men|strong="H6213"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w fear|strong="H3372"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w Whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w exists|strong="H1961"\w* \w now|strong="H1961"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w*, \w and|strong="H1961"\w* \w whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H1245"\w* God \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w seek|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w again|strong="H1961"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w occurred|strong="H1961"\w* \w in|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1245"\w* \w past|strong="H7291"\w*.   
\s1 The Problem of Injustice and Oppression  
\q1
\v 16  \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* something \w else|strong="H5750"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*:  
\q1 \w In|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w justice|strong="H4941"\w*, \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H4725"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7562"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w in|strong="H4725"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w* \w of|strong="H8478"\w* \w fairness|strong="H6664"\w*, \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w was|strong="H4725"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7562"\w*.   
\q1
\v 17  \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*, “God \w will|strong="H6662"\w* \w judge|strong="H8199"\w* \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w an|strong="H8033"\w* appropriate \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w activity|strong="H4639"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H8033"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w judgment|strong="H8199"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w deed|strong="H4639"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w also|strong="H1121"\w* \w thought|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w myself|strong="H3820"\w*, “\w It|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w for|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w sake|strong="H5921"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H7200"\w* God \w can|strong="H7200"\w* \w clearly|strong="H1305"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* animals.   
\q1
\v 19  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* humans \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* animals \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w*:  
\q1 \w As|strong="H3651"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w dies|strong="H4194"\w*, \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w dies|strong="H4194"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w*; \w both|strong="H4480"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w breath|strong="H7307"\w*.  
\q1 \w There|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w no|strong="H4480"\w* \w advantage|strong="H4195"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* humans \w over|strong="H4480"\w* animals,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w both|strong="H4480"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w Both|strong="H4480"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H4480"\w* \w place|strong="H4725"\w*,  
\q1 \w both|strong="H4480"\w* \w come|strong="H1980"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w dust|strong="H6083"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w dust|strong="H6083"\w* \w both|strong="H4480"\w* \w return|strong="H7725"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* really \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w if|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* human \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w ascends|strong="H5927"\w* \w upward|strong="H4605"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* animal’s \w spirit|strong="H7307"\w* \w descends|strong="H3381"\w* \w into|strong="H3381"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w earth|strong="H5927"\w*?   
\q1
\v 22  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w perceived|strong="H7200"\w* \w there|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w nothing|strong="H4100"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w people|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w their|strong="H7200"\w* \w reward|strong="H2506"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w show|strong="H7200"\w* \w them|strong="H7200"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* future holds?   
\c 4  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w So|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w considered|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w oppression|strong="H6231"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w continually|strong="H3605"\w* \w occurs|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H6213"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w I|strong="H2009"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w*:  
\q1 \w The|strong="H3605"\w* \w oppressed|strong="H6231"\w* \w were|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w tears|strong="H1832"\w*, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w was|strong="H3027"\w* comforting \w them|strong="H7725"\w*;  
\q1 \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* delivers \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w from|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w power|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w oppressors|strong="H6231"\w*.   
\q1
\v 2  \w So|strong="H4480"\w* \w I|strong="H4480"\w* \w considered|strong="H7623"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w gone|strong="H4480"\w*  
\q1 \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w fortunate|strong="H7623"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w those|strong="H1992"\w* \w who|strong="H1992"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w still|strong="H5728"\w* \w alive|strong="H2416"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w been|strong="H1961"\w* \w born|strong="H3808"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* \w things|strong="H4639"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w are|strong="H4639"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\s1 Labor Motivated by Envy  
\q1
\v 4  \w Then|strong="H2088"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w considered|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* skillful \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w done|strong="H4639"\w*:  
\q1 \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w more|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H3588"\w* competition \w between|strong="H7307"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w person|strong="H7200"\w* \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w another|strong="H7453"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* profitless – \w like|strong="H7307"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w The|strong="H3027"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w folds|strong="H2263"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* does no \w work|strong="H3027"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3684"\w* \w he|strong="H3027"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* nothing \w to|strong="H3027"\w* eat \w but|strong="H1320"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w own|strong="H3027"\w* \w flesh|strong="H1320"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w Better|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w handful|strong="H4393"\w* \w with|strong="H2896"\w* some \w rest|strong="H5183"\w*  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* two \w hands|strong="H3709"\w* \w full|strong="H4393"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H2896"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\s1 Labor Motivated by Greed  
\q1
\v 7  \w So|strong="H7725"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w again|strong="H7725"\w* \w considered|strong="H7200"\w* \w another|strong="H7200"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* thing \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*:   
\q1
\v 8  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H1121"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w alone|strong="H1931"\w* \w with|strong="H7646"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* companion,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w children|strong="H1121"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* siblings;  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w end|strong="H7093"\w* \w to|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H7646"\w* \w with|strong="H7646"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w*.  
\q1 \w He|strong="H1931"\w* laments, “\w For|strong="H1121"\w* \w whom|strong="H4310"\w* \w am|strong="H3426"\w* \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w toiling|strong="H6001"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w depriving|strong="H2637"\w* \w myself|strong="H5315"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H5315"\w*?”  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* burdensome \w task|strong="H6045"\w*!   
\s1 Labor is Beneficial When Its Rewards Are Shared  
\q1
\v 9  \w Two|strong="H8147"\w* people \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w one|strong="H4480"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H4480"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w can|strong="H3426"\w* reap \w more|strong="H4480"\w* \w benefit|strong="H2896"\w* \w from|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H1992"\w* \w labor|strong="H5999"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w*, \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H5307"\w* \w help|strong="H6965"\w* \w his|strong="H6965"\w* \w companion|strong="H2270"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* pity \w the|strong="H3588"\w* person \w who|strong="H3588"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w down|strong="H5307"\w* \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H6965"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H6965"\w* \w help|strong="H6965"\w* \w him|strong="H3588"\w* \w up|strong="H6965"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w Furthermore|strong="H1571"\w*, if \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w lie|strong="H7901"\w* \w down|strong="H7901"\w* \w together|strong="H1571"\w*, \w they|strong="H1571"\w* \w can|strong="H8147"\w* \w keep|strong="H2552"\w* \w each|strong="H8147"\w* \w other|strong="H8147"\w* \w warm|strong="H2552"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H1571"\w* how \w can|strong="H8147"\w* \w one|strong="H1571"\w* person \w keep|strong="H2552"\w* \w warm|strong="H2552"\w* \w by|strong="H1571"\w* himself?   
\q1
\v 12  \w Although|strong="H3808"\w* an assailant \w may|strong="H3808"\w* \w overpower|strong="H8630"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* person,  
\q1 \w two|strong="H8147"\w* \w can|strong="H3808"\w* \w withstand|strong="H5975"\w* \w him|strong="H5975"\w*.  
\q1 Moreover, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* three-stranded \w cord|strong="H2339"\w* \w is|strong="H5975"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w quickly|strong="H4120"\w* \w broken|strong="H5423"\w*.   
\s1 Labor Motivated by Prestige-Seeking  
\q1
\v 13  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w youth|strong="H3206"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w an|strong="H4428"\w* \w old|strong="H2205"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w foolish|strong="H3684"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*  
\q1 \w who|strong="H4428"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w longer|strong="H5750"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H3045"\w* \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w receive|strong="H2094"\w* advice.   
\q1
\v 14  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w came|strong="H3318"\w* \w out|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w prison|strong="H1004"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w become|strong="H4427"\w* \w king|strong="H4427"\w*,  
\q1 \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w had|strong="H3205"\w* \w been|strong="H4427"\w* \w born|strong="H3205"\w* \w poor|strong="H7326"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w what|strong="H1571"\w* would \w become|strong="H4427"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w kingdom|strong="H4438"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w considered|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w walk|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H1980"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*,  
\q1 \w as|strong="H8478"\w* \w well|strong="H5973"\w* \w as|strong="H8478"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* successor \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w would|strong="H1980"\w* \w arise|strong="H5975"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H8478"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16  \w There|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w end|strong="H7093"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w* \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w past|strong="H6440"\w* generations,  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* future generations \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w rejoice|strong="H8055"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* profitless \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7475"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\c 5  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w Be|strong="H1961"\w* careful \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* temple \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w God|strong="H8064"\w*;  
\q1 \w draw|strong="H3318"\w* \w near|strong="H6440"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* listen \w rather|strong="H3588"\w* \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* offer \w a|strong="H3068"\w* sacrifice \w like|strong="H1961"\w* fools,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H3318"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* realize \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w doing|strong="H3318"\w* wrong.   
\q1
\v 2  \w Do|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* rash \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* mouth \w or|strong="H6963"\w* hasty \w in|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* heart \w to|strong="H1697"\w* bring up \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* before God,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* God \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w in|strong="H1697"\w* heaven \w and|strong="H6963"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w on|strong="H1697"\w* earth!  
\q1 \w Therefore|strong="H3588"\w*, let \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w be|strong="H1697"\w* few.   
\q1
\v 3  Just \w as|strong="H3588"\w* dreams come \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H2656"\w* \w are|strong="H5088"\w* many cares,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* rash \w vow|strong="H5088"\w* \w of|strong="H5088"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* occurs \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H2656"\w* \w are|strong="H5088"\w* many words.   
\q1
\v 4  When \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w make|strong="H7999"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w vow|strong="H5087"\w* \w to|strong="H2896"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*, \w do|strong="H7999"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* delay \w in|strong="H3808"\w* \w paying|strong="H7999"\w* \w it|strong="H7999"\w*.  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3808"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w takes|strong="H5087"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H2896"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* fools:  
\q1 \w Pay|strong="H7999"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* \w vow|strong="H5087"\w*!   
\q1
\v 5  \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w better|strong="H3027"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w vow|strong="H3027"\w*  
\q1 \w than|strong="H5921"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w vow|strong="H3027"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w not|strong="H5414"\w* \w pay|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w Do|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* let \w your|strong="H3588"\w* mouth \w cause|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H1697"\w* sin,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w do|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* tell \w the|strong="H3588"\w* priest, “\w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w was|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* mistake!”  
\q1 \w Why|strong="H1697"\w* \w make|strong="H7235"\w* God angry \w at|strong="H2472"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H1697"\w* destroy \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w work|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* hands?”   
\q1
\v 7  \w Just|strong="H6664"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H2656"\w* \w is|strong="H4941"\w* futility \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w many|strong="H7200"\w* dreams,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w many|strong="H7200"\w* words.  
\q1 \w Therefore|strong="H5921"\w*, fear God!   
\s1 Government Corruption  
\q1
\v 8  \w If|strong="H1931"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* see \w the|strong="H3605"\w* extortion \w of|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* poor,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H7704"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* perversion \w of|strong="H4428"\w* justice \w and|strong="H4428"\w* fairness \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* government,  
\q1 \w do|strong="H5647"\w* not \w be|strong="H4428"\w* astonished \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* matter.  
\q1 \w For|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* high official \w is|strong="H1931"\w* watched \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* higher official,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w there|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H4428"\w* higher ones \w over|strong="H4428"\w* \w them|strong="H5647"\w*!   
\q1
\v 9  \w The|strong="H1571"\w* \w produce|strong="H8393"\w* \w of|strong="H1995"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* land \w is|strong="H2088"\w* seized \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w all|strong="H1571"\w* \w of|strong="H1995"\w* \w them|strong="H2088"\w*,  
\q1 \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* king \w is|strong="H2088"\w* served \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* fields.   
\s1 Covetousness  
\q1
\v 10  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* loves money \w will|strong="H5869"\w* never \w be|strong="H5869"\w* satisfied \w with|strong="H5869"\w* money,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* loves \w wealth|strong="H2896"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* never \w be|strong="H5869"\w* satisfied \w with|strong="H5869"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* income.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H5869"\w* \w is|strong="H4100"\w* futile.   
\q1
\v 11  \w When|strong="H7235"\w* someone’s prosperity \w increases|strong="H7235"\w*, \w those|strong="H3240"\w* who consume \w it|strong="H3240"\w* \w also|strong="H4966"\w* \w increase|strong="H7235"\w*;  
\q1 \w so|strong="H7235"\w* what does \w its|strong="H7235"\w* owner gain, except \w that|strong="H5647"\w* \w he|strong="H7235"\w* gets \w to|strong="H3240"\w* see \w it|strong="H3240"\w* \w with|strong="H5647"\w* \w his|strong="H5647"\w* eyes?   
\q1
\v 12  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7200"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* laborer \w is|strong="H3426"\w* pleasant – \w whether|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H3426"\w* eats little \w or|strong="H7200"\w* much –  
\q1 \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w rich|strong="H6239"\w* \w will|strong="H8121"\w* \w not|strong="H7200"\w* allow \w him|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H8104"\w* \w sleep|strong="H7200"\w*.   
\s1 Materialism Thwarts Enjoyment of Life  
\q1
\v 13  Here \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w misfortune|strong="H7451"\w* \w on|strong="H3027"\w* earth \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w I|strong="H1121"\w* \w have|strong="H1121"\w* seen:  
\q1 \w Wealth|strong="H6239"\w* hoarded \w by|strong="H3027"\w* its owner \w to|strong="H3027"\w* \w his|strong="H3027"\w* \w own|strong="H3027"\w* \w misery|strong="H7451"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w Then|strong="H3318"\w* \w that|strong="H3027"\w* \w wealth|strong="H3808"\w* \w was|strong="H3027"\w* lost \w through|strong="H3027"\w* bad luck;  
\q1 \w although|strong="H3808"\w* \w he|strong="H3027"\w* fathered \w a|strong="H3068"\w* son, \w he|strong="H3027"\w* \w has|strong="H3027"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w left|strong="H3318"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w give|strong="H7725"\w* \w him|strong="H3027"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w Just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w forth|strong="H3212"\w* \w from|strong="H7307"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* mother's womb, naked \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* return \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w came|strong="H3212"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w take|strong="H3212"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3605"\w* \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* hand \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3651"\w* \w may|strong="H1571"\w* \w carry|strong="H3212"\w* \w away|strong="H3212"\w* \w from|strong="H7307"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* toil.   
\q1
\v 16  \w This|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w another|strong="H1571"\w* misfortune:  
\q1 \w Just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* came, \w so|strong="H1571"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* go.  
\q1 \w What|strong="H1571"\w* \w did|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* gain \w from|strong="H3117"\w* toiling \w for|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* wind?   
\q1
\v 17  \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w*, \w he|strong="H1931"\w* ate \w in|strong="H3117"\w* darkness \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w suffered|strong="H5414"\w* greatly \w with|strong="H3117"\w* sickness \w and|strong="H3117"\w* anger.   
\s1 Enjoy the Fruit of Your Labor  
\q1
\v 18  \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* seen personally \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w only|strong="H3605"\w* beneficial \w and|strong="H6239"\w* appropriate \w course|strong="H4480"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* action \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1931"\w*:  
\q1 \w to|strong="H5414"\w* eat \w and|strong="H6239"\w* drink, \w and|strong="H6239"\w* \w find|strong="H5414"\w* enjoyment \w in|strong="H8055"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* hard \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w on|strong="H5375"\w* earth  
\q1 \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* few days \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w life|strong="H3605"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H1571"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w them|strong="H5414"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w reward|strong="H2506"\w*.   
\q1
\v 19  \w To|strong="H3820"\w* \w every|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H2416"\w* \w whom|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* given \w wealth|strong="H3808"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* possessions,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w also|strong="H3117"\w* given \w him|strong="H7235"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* ability  
\q1 \w to|strong="H3820"\w* eat \w from|strong="H3117"\w* \w them|strong="H3117"\w*, \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w receive|strong="H2416"\w* \w his|strong="H2142"\w* reward \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* find enjoyment \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H2142"\w* toil;  
\q1 \w these|strong="H3117"\w* \w things|strong="H3808"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* gift \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  For he does not think much about the fleeting days of his life  
\q1 because God keeps him preoccupied with the joy he derives from his activity.   
\c 6  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w Here|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w another|strong="H7200"\w* \w misfortune|strong="H7451"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* weighs heavily \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w people|strong="H1931"\w*:   
\q1
\v 2  \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5315"\w* \w riches|strong="H6239"\w*, property, \w and|strong="H6239"\w* \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w*  
\q1 \w so|strong="H4480"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w lacks|strong="H2638"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w heart|strong="H5315"\w* desires,  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enable|strong="H7980"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* enjoy \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w fruit|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4480"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* labor –  
\q1 \w instead|strong="H3588"\w*, \w someone|strong="H5315"\w* \w else|strong="H3808"\w* enjoys \w it|strong="H5414"\w*!  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* fruitless \w and|strong="H6239"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* grave \w misfortune|strong="H7451"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H5315"\w* \w fathers|strong="H3205"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w children|strong="H3205"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* –  
\q1 \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w lives|strong="H5315"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w long|strong="H3117"\w*, \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w time|strong="H3117"\w*, \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7646"\w* \w his|strong="H1961"\w* \w prosperity|strong="H2896"\w* –  
\q1 \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w forever|strong="H4480"\w* –  
\q1 \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w would|strong="H5315"\w* say, “\w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w stillborn|strong="H5309"\w* \w child|strong="H3205"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w off|strong="H4480"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w*!”   
\q1
\v 4  \w Though|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* stillborn child \w came|strong="H3212"\w* \w into|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* world \w for|strong="H3588"\w* no reason \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w departed|strong="H3212"\w* \w into|strong="H3212"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*,  
\q1 \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w its|strong="H3588"\w* \w name|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H8034"\w* shrouded \w in|strong="H3212"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w*,   
\q1
\v 5  \w though|strong="H1571"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w saw|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* light \w of|strong="H3045"\w* day \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w knew|strong="H3045"\w* \w anything|strong="H3808"\w*,  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w has|strong="H1571"\w* \w more|strong="H3808"\w* \w rest|strong="H5183"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w that|strong="H3045"\w* \w man|strong="H2088"\w* –   
\q1
\v 6  \w if|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H3605"\w* \w should|strong="H1980"\w* \w live|strong="H2421"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w twice|strong="H6471"\w*, \w yet|strong="H3808"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w prosperity|strong="H2896"\w*.  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3605"\w* \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H8141"\w* \w them|strong="H7200"\w* \w die|strong="H1980"\w*!   
\q1
\v 7  \w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H4390"\w* \w man|strong="H5315"\w*’s \w labor|strong="H5999"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w for|strong="H3605"\w* \w nothing|strong="H3808"\w* \w more|strong="H3808"\w* \w than|strong="H3808"\w* \w to|strong="H6310"\w* \w fill|strong="H4390"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* stomach –  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H1571"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w appetite|strong="H5315"\w* \w is|strong="H5315"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w satisfied|strong="H4390"\w*!   
\p  
\q1
\v 8  \w So|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w advantage|strong="H3148"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w over|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*?  
\q1 \w And|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w advantage|strong="H3148"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* pauper \w gain|strong="H3045"\w* \w by|strong="H1980"\w* \w knowing|strong="H3045"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* survive?   
\q1
\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="H5315"\w* content \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w* \w can|strong="H7307"\w* \w see|strong="H5869"\w*  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5315"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w*’s \w heart|strong="H5315"\w* always \w to|strong="H1980"\w* crave \w more|strong="H1980"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* continual longing \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w* – \w like|strong="H4758"\w* \w chasing|strong="H7469"\w* \w the|strong="H1571"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*.   
\s1 The Futile Way Life Works  
\q1
\v 10  \w Whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* foreordained,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w happens|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w was|strong="H8034"\w* \w also|strong="H8034"\w* \w foreknown|strong="H8630"\w*.  
\q1 \w It|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w useless|strong="H3808"\w* \w for|strong="H7121"\w* \w him|strong="H7121"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* argue \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w his|strong="H7121"\w* fate  
\q1 \w because|strong="H4480"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w more|strong="H4480"\w* powerful \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w The|strong="H3588"\w* \w more|strong="H7235"\w* \w one|strong="H3588"\w* argues \w with|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*, \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w less|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* accomplishes.  
\q1 \w How|strong="H4100"\w* \w does|strong="H4100"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* benefit \w him|strong="H7235"\w*?   
\q1
\v 12  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2416"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3045"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* –  
\q1 \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w few|strong="H4557"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3045"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* –  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w pass|strong="H1961"\w* away \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w shadow|strong="H6738"\w*.  
\q1 \w Nor|strong="H3117"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w anyone|strong="H3588"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* future \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w hold|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w him|strong="H5046"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\c 7  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w reputation|strong="H8034"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w precious|strong="H2896"\w* perfume;  
\q1 likewise, \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w*’s \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H3205"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w one|strong="H2896"\w*’s \w birth|strong="H3205"\w*.   
\q1
\v 2  \w It|strong="H5414"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w go|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* funeral  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w feast|strong="H4960"\w*.  
\q1 \w For|strong="H1004"\w* death \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* destiny \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* should \w take|strong="H5414"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w Sorrow|strong="H3708"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w laughter|strong="H7814"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* sober reflection \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*.   
\q1
\v 4  \w The|strong="H1004"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* mourning,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3820"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w in|strong="H1004"\w* \w the|strong="H1004"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* merrymaking.   
\s1 Frivolous Living Versus Wisdom  
\q1
\v 5  \w It|strong="H2896"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H2896"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* person \w to|strong="H8085"\w* receive \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w rebuke|strong="H1606"\w* \w from|strong="H8085"\w* \w those|strong="H8085"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w are|strong="H2450"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w*  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w listen|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w song|strong="H7892"\w* \w of|strong="H7892"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w like|strong="H3651"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w crackling|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* quick-burning \w thorns|strong="H5518"\w* \w under|strong="H8478"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w cooking|strong="H5518"\w* \w pot|strong="H5518"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3651"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w laughter|strong="H7814"\w* \w of|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* kind \w of|strong="H6963"\w* folly \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w useless|strong="H1892"\w*.   
\s1 Human Wisdom Overturned by Adversity  
\q1
\v 7  \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w oppression|strong="H6233"\w* can turn \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w* into \w a|strong="H3068"\w* fool;  
\q1 likewise, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bribe|strong="H4979"\w* corrupts \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w The|strong="H1697"\w* end \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* its \w beginning|strong="H7225"\w*;  
\q1 likewise, patience \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* pride.   
\q1
\v 9  Do \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w let|strong="H5117"\w* yourself \w be|strong="H7307"\w* quickly \w provoked|strong="H3707"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w anger|strong="H3707"\w* \w resides|strong="H5117"\w* \w in|strong="H5117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w lap|strong="H2436"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* say, “\w Why|strong="H4100"\w* \w were|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w old|strong="H2896"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w these|strong="H2088"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*?”  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2451"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w ask|strong="H7592"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom Can Lengthen One’s Life  
\q1
\v 11  \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*, \w like|strong="H5973"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w inheritance|strong="H5159"\w*, \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w thing|strong="H2896"\w*;  
\q1 \w it|strong="H7200"\w* benefits \w those|strong="H5973"\w* \w who|strong="H2896"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* light \w of|strong="H5159"\w* day.   
\q1
\v 12  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w provides|strong="H6738"\w* \w protection|strong="H6738"\w*,  
\q1 \w just|strong="H3504"\w* \w as|strong="H3588"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w provides|strong="H6738"\w* \w protection|strong="H6738"\w*.  
\q1 \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w advantage|strong="H3504"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w this|strong="H3588"\w*:  
\q1 \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w preserves|strong="H2421"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w life|strong="H2421"\w* \w of|strong="H1167"\w* \w its|strong="H3588"\w* \w owner|strong="H1167"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom Acknowledges God’s Orchestration of Life  
\q1
\v 13  \w Consider|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w of|strong="H4639"\w* \w God|strong="H4310"\w*:  
\q1 \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w make|strong="H7200"\w* \w straight|strong="H8626"\w* \w what|strong="H4310"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w* \w bent|strong="H5791"\w*?   
\q1
\v 14  \w In|strong="H5921"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w prosperity|strong="H2896"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w joyful|strong="H2896"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w times|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w adversity|strong="H7451"\w* \w consider|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*:  
\q1 \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H1961"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w well|strong="H2896"\w* \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w discover|strong="H4672"\w* \w what|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* future \w holds|strong="H3972"\w*.   
\s1 Exceptions to the Law of Retribution  
\q1
\v 15  \w During|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w* \w life|strong="H3117"\w* \w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w both|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w*:  
\q1 \w Sometimes|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w person|strong="H7200"\w* dies prematurely \w in|strong="H3117"\w* spite \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w righteousness|strong="H6664"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w sometimes|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w* \w person|strong="H7200"\w* lives \w long|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* spite \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w* deeds.   
\q1
\v 16  \w So|strong="H1961"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w excessively|strong="H7235"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* or \w excessively|strong="H7235"\w* \w wise|strong="H2449"\w*;  
\q1 \w otherwise|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H4100"\w* might \w be|strong="H1961"\w* disappointed.   
\q1
\v 17  \w Do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w excessively|strong="H7235"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7561"\w* \w and|strong="H4191"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5530"\w*;  
\q1 \w otherwise|strong="H3808"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w* might \w die|strong="H4191"\w* \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w your|strong="H7235"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w It|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w best|strong="H2896"\w* \w to|strong="H3318"\w* \w take|strong="H3318"\w* hold \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* warning \w without|strong="H3588"\w* \w letting|strong="H1571"\w* \w go|strong="H3318"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* warning;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w fears|strong="H3373"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* follow \w both|strong="H1571"\w* warnings.   
\s1 Wisdom Needed Because No One is Truly Righteous  
\q1
\v 19  \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w gives|strong="H5810"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* person \w more|strong="H2450"\w* protection  
\q1 \w than|strong="H2451"\w* \w ten|strong="H6235"\w* \w rulers|strong="H7989"\w* \w in|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* there \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w truly|strong="H3588"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* person \w on|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* earth  
\q1 \w who|strong="H2896"\w* continually \w does|strong="H6213"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w never|strong="H3808"\w* \w sins|strong="H2398"\w*.   
\q1
\v 21  \w Also|strong="H1571"\w*, \w do|strong="H1697"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w pay|strong="H5414"\w* \w attention|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H1696"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H3808"\w* \w say|strong="H1696"\w*;  
\q1 \w otherwise|strong="H3808"\w*, \w you|strong="H5414"\w* might \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w hear|strong="H8085"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w servant|strong="H5650"\w* \w cursing|strong="H7043"\w* \w you|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\q1
\v 22  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w in|strong="H7227"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* own \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*  
\q1 \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w cursed|strong="H7043"\w* \w others|strong="H7227"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w times|strong="H6471"\w*.   
\s1 Human Wisdom is Limited  
\q1
\v 23  \w I|strong="H7350"\w* \w have|strong="H3605"\w* examined \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w* \w by|strong="H3605"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H7350"\w* said, “\w I|strong="H7350"\w* am determined \w to|strong="H4480"\w* comprehend \w this|strong="H1931"\w*” – \w but|strong="H1931"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w was|strong="H1931"\w* \w beyond|strong="H4480"\w* \w my|strong="H3605"\w* grasp.   
\q1
\v 24  \w Whatever|strong="H4100"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w* \w happened|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* beyond human understanding;  
\q1 \w it|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w far|strong="H7350"\w* \w deeper|strong="H6013"\w* \w than|strong="H6013"\w* anyone \w can|strong="H4310"\w* fathom.   
\s1 True Righteousness and Wisdom are Virtually Nonexistent  
\q1
\v 25  \w I|strong="H3045"\w* \w tried|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w*, \w examine|strong="H8446"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w comprehend|strong="H3045"\w*  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3045"\w* role \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w in|strong="H5437"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* scheme \w of|strong="H3820"\w* things,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w to|strong="H3820"\w* \w understand|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* stupidity \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7562"\w* \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w insanity|strong="H1947"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w folly|strong="H5531"\w*.   
\q1
\v 26  \w I|strong="H6440"\w* \w discovered|strong="H4672"\w* \w this|strong="H1931"\w*:  
\q1 \w More|strong="H4480"\w* \w bitter|strong="H4751"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w kind|strong="H2896"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* woman \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* hunter’s snare;  
\q1 \w her|strong="H4672"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* hunter’s \w net|strong="H2764"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w her|strong="H4672"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w like|strong="H3820"\w* prison chains.  
\q1 \w The|strong="H6440"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w* \w who|strong="H1931"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2896"\w* \w God|strong="H3027"\w* \w escapes|strong="H4422"\w* \w her|strong="H4672"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H1931"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w captured|strong="H3920"\w* \w by|strong="H3027"\w* \w her|strong="H4672"\w*.   
\q1
\v 27  \w The|strong="H7200"\w* Teacher says:  
\q1 \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w discovered|strong="H4672"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w while|strong="H2088"\w* trying \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w discover|strong="H4672"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* scheme \w of|strong="H7200"\w* things, item \w by|strong="H7200"\w* item.   
\q1
\v 28  What \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w continually|strong="H3605"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w*, \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w*;  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w only|strong="H1245"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* upright \w man|strong="H5315"\w* \w among|strong="H4672"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* thousand,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w I|strong="H5315"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w found|strong="H4672"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* upright woman \w among|strong="H4672"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w them|strong="H4672"\w*.   
\q1
\v 29  \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w alone|strong="H6213"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w discovered|strong="H4672"\w*: God \w made|strong="H6213"\w* humankind \w upright|strong="H3477"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* \w evil|strong="H6213"\w* schemes.   
\c 8  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H6440"\w*? \w Who|strong="H4310"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* solution \w to|strong="H6440"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* problem?  
\q1 \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w person|strong="H6440"\w*’s \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* brightens \w his|strong="H6440"\w* \w appearance|strong="H6440"\w*, \w and|strong="H2451"\w* softens \w his|strong="H6440"\w* harsh \w countenance|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\q1
\v 2  \w Obey|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w command|strong="H6310"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H5921"\w* \w took|strong="H4428"\w* \w an|strong="H4428"\w* \w oath|strong="H7621"\w* \w before|strong="H5921"\w* God \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w be|strong="H4428"\w* loyal \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w him|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\q1
\v 3  \w Do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* rush \w out|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H6440"\w*’s \w presence|strong="H6440"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* haste – \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w delay|strong="H5975"\w* \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w unpleasant|strong="H7451"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w can|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w pleases|strong="H2654"\w*.   
\q1
\v 4  \w Surely|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w*’s \w authority|strong="H7983"\w* \w is|strong="H4310"\w* absolute;  
\q1 \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w one|strong="H6213"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w say|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w him|strong="H6213"\w*, “\w What|strong="H4100"\w* \w are|strong="H4100"\w* \w you|strong="H6213"\w* \w doing|strong="H6213"\w*?”   
\q1
\v 5  \w Whoever|strong="H8104"\w* \w obeys|strong="H4687"\w* \w his|strong="H8104"\w* \w command|strong="H4687"\w* \w will|strong="H3820"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w experience|strong="H3045"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H8104"\w* proper \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w procedure|strong="H4941"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* proper \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w and|strong="H4941"\w* \w procedure|strong="H4941"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w matter|strong="H2656"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* oppression \w of|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w king|strong="H5921"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w severe|strong="H7227"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* victim.   
\q1
\v 7  \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w* \w no|strong="H3045"\w* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* future,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w no|strong="H3045"\w* \w one|strong="H1961"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w another|strong="H5046"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  Just \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* \w power|strong="H7983"\w* over \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w to|strong="H3117"\w* \w restrain|strong="H3607"\w* \w it|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* \w power|strong="H7983"\w* over \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H3808"\w* \w death|strong="H4194"\w*.  
\q1 Just \w as|strong="H3117"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w can|strong="H7307"\w* \w be|strong="H3808"\w* discharged \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w wickedness|strong="H7562"\w* \w cannot|strong="H3808"\w* \w rescue|strong="H4422"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7562"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w While|strong="H2088"\w* applying \w my|strong="H5414"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* world, \w I|strong="H5414"\w* \w have|strong="H7200"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*:  
\q1 \w Sometimes|strong="H6256"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w* \w dominates|strong="H7980"\w* \w other|strong="H2088"\w* \w people|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w harm|strong="H7451"\w*.   
\s1 Contradictions to the Law of Retribution  
\q1
\v 10  \w Not|strong="H6213"\w* \w only|strong="H1571"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w*, \w but|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H3651"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w* \w approaching|strong="H6912"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* entering \w the|strong="H7200"\w* temple,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w left|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w holy|strong="H6918"\w* temple, \w they|strong="H3651"\w*  
\q1 \w boasted|strong="H7911"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w that|strong="H7200"\w* \w they|strong="H3651"\w* \w had|strong="H6213"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w* \w so|strong="H3651"\w*.  
\q1 \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w enigma|strong="H1892"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w When|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w sentence|strong="H6599"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* \w not|strong="H6213"\w* \w executed|strong="H6213"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* once \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* crime,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H5921"\w* human \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w is|strong="H3820"\w* encouraged \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12  \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w* might \w commit|strong="H6213"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w hundred|strong="H3967"\w* \w crimes|strong="H7451"\w* \w and|strong="H3967"\w* \w still|strong="H3588"\w* live \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w long|strong="H6440"\w* \w time|strong="H6440"\w*,  
\q1 \w yet|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w well|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H6213"\w* God-fearing \w people|strong="H1571"\w* – \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w stand|strong="H3372"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w fear|strong="H3372"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w him|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\q1
\v 13  \w But|strong="H3808"\w* \w it|strong="H6440"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w go|strong="H1961"\w* \w well|strong="H2896"\w* \w with|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w*,  
\q1 \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* prolong \w their|strong="H6440"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w like|strong="H1961"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w shadow|strong="H6738"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H6440"\w* \w they|strong="H3117"\w* do \w not|strong="H3808"\w* stand \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w fear|strong="H3373"\w* \w before|strong="H6440"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w Here|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w another|strong="H2088"\w* \w enigma|strong="H1892"\w* \w that|strong="H2088"\w* \w occurs|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* earth:  
\q1 \w Sometimes|strong="H3426"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w are|strong="H7563"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w people|strong="H1571"\w* \w who|strong="H6662"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w* deserve,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6213"\w* \w sometimes|strong="H3426"\w* \w there|strong="H3426"\w* \w are|strong="H7563"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w* \w people|strong="H1571"\w* \w who|strong="H6662"\w* \w get|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* deserve.  
\q1 \w I|strong="H5921"\w* said, “\w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w an|strong="H6213"\w* \w enigma|strong="H1892"\w*.”   
\s1 Enjoy Life In Spite of Its Injustices  
\q1
\v 15  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w recommend|strong="H7623"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w enjoyment|strong="H2896"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H3117"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* nothing \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w* \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* person \w to|strong="H5414"\w* do \w except|strong="H3588"\w* \w to|strong="H5414"\w* eat, \w drink|strong="H8354"\w*, \w and|strong="H3117"\w* enjoy \w life|strong="H2416"\w*.  
\q1 \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w* \w will|strong="H5414"\w* accompany \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w*  
\q1 \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w his|strong="H5414"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w which|strong="H1931"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w gives|strong="H5414"\w* \w him|strong="H5414"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\s1 Limitations of Human Wisdom  
\q1
\v 16  \w When|strong="H3588"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w tried|strong="H6213"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w gain|strong="H3045"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w observe|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* activity \w on|strong="H5921"\w* earth –  
\q1 \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w though|strong="H3588"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* prevents \w anyone|strong="H7200"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* sleeping \w day|strong="H3117"\w* \w or|strong="H1571"\w* \w night|strong="H3915"\w* –   
\q1
\v 17  \w then|strong="H1571"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* discerned \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w has|strong="H3588"\w* \w done|strong="H6213"\w*:  
\q1 \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* really comprehends \w what|strong="H4639"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.  
\q1 \w Despite|strong="H7945"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* human \w efforts|strong="H5998"\w* \w to|strong="H3201"\w* \w discover|strong="H4672"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*, \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w can|strong="H3201"\w* \w ever|strong="H3808"\w* grasp \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.  
\q1 \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H3045"\w* claimed \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w understood|strong="H3045"\w*,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H3588"\w* \w would|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* really \w comprehend|strong="H3045"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w*.   
\c 9  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w So|strong="H5414"\w* \w I|strong="H3588"\w* reflected \w on|strong="H3027"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, attempting \w to|strong="H5414"\w* \w clear|strong="H3605"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w up|strong="H5414"\w*.  
\q1 \w I|strong="H3588"\w* concluded \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w*, \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w* \w as|strong="H1571"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w works|strong="H5652"\w*, \w are|strong="H3027"\w* \w in|strong="H6440"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hand|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H3027"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w*;  
\q1 \w whether|strong="H3045"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w person|strong="H6440"\w* \w will|strong="H1571"\w* \w be|strong="H3027"\w* loved \w or|strong="H1571"\w* \w hated|strong="H8135"\w* –  
\q1 \w no|strong="H3605"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H2088"\w* \w lies|strong="H5414"\w* \w ahead|strong="H6440"\w*.   
\q1
\v 2  \w Everyone|strong="H3605"\w* shares \w the|strong="H3605"\w* same \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* –  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w righteous|strong="H6662"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7563"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* bad,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w ceremonially|strong="H2931"\w* \w clean|strong="H2889"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w unclean|strong="H2931"\w*,  
\q1 \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w offer|strong="H2076"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="H2076"\w* \w and|strong="H2896"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H3372"\w*.  
\q1 \w What|strong="H2896"\w* happens \w to|strong="H7650"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w* person, also happens \w to|strong="H7650"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w*;  
\q1 \w what|strong="H2896"\w* happens \w to|strong="H7650"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* make vows, also happens \w to|strong="H7650"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H7563"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w to|strong="H7650"\w* make vows.   
\q1
\v 3  \w This|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* unfortunate fact \w about|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*:  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w same|strong="H2088"\w* \w fate|strong="H4745"\w* \w awaits|strong="H3605"\w* \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w*.  
\q1 \w In|strong="H6213"\w* \w addition|strong="H1571"\w* \w to|strong="H4191"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w*, \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w there|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* folly \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w hearts|strong="H3820"\w* \w during|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w lives|strong="H2416"\w* – \w then|strong="H2088"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*.   
\s1 Better to Be Poor but Alive than Rich but Dead  
\q1
\v 4  \w But|strong="H3588"\w* \w whoever|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w among|strong="H4480"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w living|strong="H2416"\w* \w has|strong="H4310"\w* hope;  
\q1 \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w live|strong="H2416"\w* \w dog|strong="H3611"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H4480"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* lion.   
\q1
\v 5  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* \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="H5750"\w* \w die|strong="H4191"\w*, \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w dead|strong="H4191"\w* do \w not|strong="H3045"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w anything|strong="H3972"\w*;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H3045"\w* \w no|strong="H3045"\w* \w further|strong="H5750"\w* \w reward|strong="H7939"\w* – \w and|strong="H3045"\w* \w even|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w memory|strong="H2143"\w* \w of|strong="H4191"\w* \w them|strong="H3588"\w* disappears.   
\q1
\v 6  \w What|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* loved, \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w well|strong="H1571"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w what|strong="H6213"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w hated|strong="H8135"\w* \w and|strong="H5769"\w* \w envied|strong="H7068"\w*, perished \w long|strong="H5769"\w* \w ago|strong="H5769"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5769"\w* \w they|strong="H1992"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w longer|strong="H5750"\w* \w have|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w part|strong="H2506"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w anything|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3605"\w* \w happens|strong="H6213"\w* \w on|strong="H8478"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\s1 Life is Brief, so Cherish its Joys  
\q1
\v 7  \w Go|strong="H3212"\w*, \w eat|strong="H3899"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w food|strong="H3899"\w* \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w joy|strong="H8057"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3212"\w* \w drink|strong="H8354"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w with|strong="H3212"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w happy|strong="H2896"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* God \w has|strong="H3820"\w* \w already|strong="H3528"\w* \w approved|strong="H7521"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w works|strong="H4639"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w Let|strong="H6256"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* clothes \w always|strong="H3605"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w white|strong="H3836"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7218"\w* \w do|strong="H3605"\w* \w not|strong="H1961"\w* spare precious \w ointment|strong="H8081"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w head|strong="H7218"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  \w Enjoy|strong="H7200"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w with|strong="H5973"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* beloved \w wife|strong="H2416"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w*  
\q1 \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* \w has|strong="H3117"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w* \w during|strong="H3117"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w reward|strong="H2506"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w in|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* burdensome \w work|strong="H5999"\w* \w on|strong="H3117"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w Whatever|strong="H3605"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w hands|strong="H3027"\w*,  
\q1 \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w it|strong="H3588"\w* \w with|strong="H1980"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w might|strong="H3581"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w there|strong="H8033"\w* \w is|strong="H3027"\w* neither \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w nor|strong="H2451"\w* planning \w nor|strong="H2451"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w nor|strong="H2451"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w grave|strong="H7585"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w place|strong="H3027"\w* \w where|strong="H8033"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* eventually \w go|strong="H1980"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom Cannot Protect against Seemingly Chance Events  
\q1
\v 11  \w Again|strong="H7725"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w observed|strong="H7200"\w* \w this|strong="H7200"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*:  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w race|strong="H4793"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* won \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* swiftest,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w battle|strong="H4421"\w* \w is|strong="H1571"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* won \w by|strong="H1571"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w strongest|strong="H1368"\w*;  
\q1 \w prosperity|strong="H3899"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* \w belong|strong="H8478"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1368"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wisest|strong="H2450"\w*,  
\q1 \w wealth|strong="H6239"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* \w belong|strong="H8478"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w are|strong="H1368"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* most discerning,  
\q1 \w nor|strong="H3808"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w success|strong="H7136"\w* \w always|strong="H3605"\w* \w come|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w those|strong="H3605"\w* \w with|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* most \w knowledge|strong="H3045"\w* –  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w chance|strong="H6294"\w* \w may|strong="H7725"\w* overcome \w them|strong="H7725"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12  \w Surely|strong="H3588"\w*, \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w his|strong="H5921"\w* \w appointed|strong="H1121"\w* \w time|strong="H6256"\w*!  
\q1 \w Like|strong="H3808"\w* \w fish|strong="H1709"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* caught \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w deadly|strong="H7451"\w* \w net|strong="H4685"\w*, \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w birds|strong="H6833"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* caught \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w snare|strong="H6341"\w* –  
\q1 \w just|strong="H1571"\w* \w like|strong="H3808"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*, \w all|strong="H3045"\w* \w people|strong="H1121"\w* \w are|strong="H1992"\w* \w ensnared|strong="H3369"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w an|strong="H3588"\w* unfortunate \w time|strong="H6256"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w* \w upon|strong="H5921"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w* \w suddenly|strong="H6597"\w*.   
\s1 Most People Are Not Receptive to Wise Counsel  
\q1
\v 13  \w This|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w what|strong="H7200"\w* \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w also|strong="H1571"\w* \w observed|strong="H7200"\w* about \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1419"\w* \w it|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1419"\w* burden \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w me|strong="H7200"\w*:   
\q1
\v 14  There \w was|strong="H5892"\w* once \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w small|strong="H6996"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w with|strong="H5921"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w few|strong="H4592"\w* \w men|strong="H1419"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w mighty|strong="H1419"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* attacked \w it|strong="H5921"\w*, \w besieging|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w building|strong="H1129"\w* \w strong|strong="H1419"\w* siege \w works|strong="H5921"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w*.   
\q1
\v 15  \w However|strong="H4672"\w*, \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w* lived \w in|strong="H5892"\w* \w the|strong="H2142"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5892"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* could \w have|strong="H4672"\w* \w delivered|strong="H4422"\w* \w the|strong="H2142"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w* \w by|strong="H5892"\w* \w his|strong="H2142"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3808"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w listened|strong="H2142"\w* \w to|strong="H5892"\w* \w that|strong="H1931"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w man|strong="H2450"\w*.   
\q1
\v 16  \w So|strong="H1697"\w* \w I|strong="H1697"\w* concluded \w that|strong="H8085"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w better|strong="H2896"\w* \w than|strong="H2896"\w* \w might|strong="H1369"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H8085"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w poor|strong="H4542"\w* \w man|strong="H2896"\w*’s \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* despised; no \w one|strong="H2896"\w* ever \w listens|strong="H8085"\w* \w to|strong="H8085"\w* \w his|strong="H8085"\w* \w advice|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom versus Fools, Sin, and Folly  
\q1
\v 17  \w The|strong="H8085"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w in|strong="H8085"\w* \w quiet|strong="H5183"\w*,  
\q1 \w more|strong="H2450"\w* \w than|strong="H2450"\w* \w the|strong="H8085"\w* shouting \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w ruler|strong="H4910"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w among|strong="H4910"\w* \w fools|strong="H3684"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w Wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\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*,  
\q1 but \w one|strong="H2896"\w* \w sinner|strong="H2398"\w* can destroy \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w that|strong="H3627"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w good|strong="H2896"\w*.   
\c 10  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  One \w dead|strong="H4194"\w* \w fly|strong="H2070"\w* makes \w the|strong="H4194"\w* \w perfumer|strong="H7543"\w*’s \w ointment|strong="H8081"\w* give off \w a|strong="H3068"\w* rancid stench,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H4592"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w little|strong="H4592"\w* \w folly|strong="H5531"\w* \w can|strong="H4194"\w* outweigh much \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom Can Be Nullified By the Caprice of Rulers  
\q1
\v 2  \w A|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H3820"\w*’s good \w sense|strong="H3820"\w* \w protects|strong="H3225"\w* him,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3225"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w*’s lack \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w sense|strong="H3820"\w* leaves him vulnerable.   
\q1
\v 3  \w Even|strong="H1571"\w* \w when|strong="H1980"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5530"\w* \w walks|strong="H1980"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w road|strong="H1870"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w lacks|strong="H2638"\w* \w sense|strong="H3820"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* shows \w everyone|strong="H3605"\w* \w what|strong="H1571"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5530"\w* \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w*.   
\q1
\v 4  \w If|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w anger|strong="H7307"\w* \w of|strong="H7307"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w ruler|strong="H4910"\w* flares \w up|strong="H5927"\w* \w against|strong="H5921"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w*, do \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w resign|strong="H3240"\w* \w from|strong="H5921"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w position|strong="H4725"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* calm \w response|strong="H3240"\w* \w can|strong="H7307"\w* undo \w great|strong="H1419"\w* \w offenses|strong="H2399"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w I|strong="H7200"\w* \w have|strong="H3426"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w another|strong="H7200"\w* \w misfortune|strong="H7451"\w* \w on|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w earth|strong="H8121"\w*:  
\q1 \w It|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H3426"\w* \w an|strong="H7200"\w* \w error|strong="H7684"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w ruler|strong="H7989"\w* \w makes|strong="H7200"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w Fools|strong="H5529"\w* \w are|strong="H7227"\w* \w placed|strong="H5414"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* \w many|strong="H7227"\w* positions \w of|strong="H3427"\w* authority,  
\q1 \w while|strong="H7227"\w* \w wealthy|strong="H6223"\w* \w men|strong="H6223"\w* \w sit|strong="H3427"\w* \w in|strong="H3427"\w* lowly positions.   
\q1
\v 7  \w I|strong="H5921"\w* \w have|strong="H5650"\w* \w seen|strong="H7200"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w horseback|strong="H5483"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* \w walking|strong="H1980"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w foot|strong="H5650"\w* \w like|strong="H1980"\w* \w slaves|strong="H5650"\w*.   
\s1 Wisdom is Needed to Avert Dangers in Everyday Life  
\q1
\v 8  One who \w digs|strong="H2658"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pit|strong="H1475"\w* \w may|strong="H5175"\w* \w fall|strong="H5307"\w* \w into|strong="H5307"\w* \w it|strong="H2658"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5307"\w* one who \w breaks|strong="H6555"\w* \w through|strong="H6555"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wall|strong="H1447"\w* \w may|strong="H5175"\w* be \w bitten|strong="H5391"\w* \w by|strong="H5307"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w snake|strong="H5175"\w*.   
\q1
\v 9  One who \w quarries|strong="H5265"\w* stones may \w be|strong="H6086"\w* injured \w by|strong="H5265"\w* them;  
\q1 one who \w splits|strong="H1234"\w* \w logs|strong="H6086"\w* may \w be|strong="H6086"\w* \w endangered|strong="H5533"\w* \w by|strong="H5265"\w* them.   
\q1
\v 10  \w If|strong="H7043"\w* \w an|strong="H6440"\w* \w iron|strong="H1270"\w* \w axhead|strong="H6949"\w* \w is|strong="H1931"\w* \w blunt|strong="H6949"\w* \w and|strong="H2451"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* workman \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sharpen|strong="H7043"\w* \w its|strong="H6440"\w* \w edge|strong="H6949"\w*,  
\q1 \w he|strong="H1931"\w* \w must|strong="H3808"\w* \w exert|strong="H1396"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w great|strong="H1396"\w* deal \w of|strong="H6440"\w* effort;  
\q1 \w so|strong="H3808"\w* \w wisdom|strong="H2451"\w* \w has|strong="H2451"\w* \w the|strong="H6440"\w* \w advantage|strong="H3504"\w* \w of|strong="H6440"\w* \w giving|strong="H3787"\w* \w success|strong="H3787"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  If \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w snake|strong="H5175"\w* should \w bite|strong="H5391"\w* \w before|strong="H3808"\w* \w it|strong="H3808"\w* \w is|strong="H3956"\w* \w charmed|strong="H3908"\w*,  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w snake|strong="H5175"\w* \w charmer|strong="H1167"\w* \w is|strong="H3956"\w* \w in|strong="H3808"\w* trouble.   
\s1 Words and Works of Wise Men and Fools  
\q1
\v 12  \w The|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w wise|strong="H2450"\w* \w person|strong="H2580"\w* win \w him|strong="H1697"\w* \w favor|strong="H2580"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H1104"\w* \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* self-destructive.   
\q1
\v 13  At \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w beginning|strong="H8462"\w* \w his|strong="H6310"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w foolish|strong="H5531"\w*  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1697"\w* at \w the|strong="H1697"\w* \w end|strong="H6310"\w* \w his|strong="H6310"\w* \w talk|strong="H1697"\w* \w is|strong="H1697"\w* \w wicked|strong="H7451"\w* \w madness|strong="H1948"\w*,   
\q1
\v 14  \w yet|strong="H3808"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w fool|strong="H5530"\w* keeps \w on|strong="H1961"\w* babbling.  
\q1 \w No|strong="H3808"\w* \w one|strong="H3808"\w* \w knows|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w will|strong="H4310"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w*;  
\q1 \w who|strong="H4310"\w* \w can|strong="H4310"\w* \w tell|strong="H5046"\w* \w him|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="H3045"\w* future?   
\q1
\v 15  \w The|strong="H3045"\w* \w toil|strong="H5999"\w* \w of|strong="H5892"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w stupid|strong="H3684"\w* \w fool|strong="H3684"\w* \w wears|strong="H3021"\w* \w him|strong="H3045"\w* \w out|strong="H3045"\w*,  
\q1 because \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w does|strong="H3808"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w way|strong="H3212"\w* \w to|strong="H3212"\w* \w the|strong="H3045"\w* \w city|strong="H5892"\w*.   
\s1 The Problem with Foolish Rulers  
\q1
\v 16  Woe \w to|strong="H4428"\w* \w you|strong="H4428"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* land, when \w your|strong="H4428"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* childish,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H4428"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* feast \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H1242"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*!   
\q1
\v 17  Blessed \w are|strong="H1121"\w* \w you|strong="H3808"\w*, \w O|strong="H3068"\w* land, \w when|strong="H6256"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w is|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w nobility|strong="H1121"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w your|strong="H3808"\w* \w princes|strong="H8269"\w* feast \w at|strong="H4428"\w* \w the|strong="H3808"\w* proper \w time|strong="H6256"\w* – \w with|strong="H4428"\w* self-control \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w drunkenness|strong="H8358"\w*.   
\q1
\v 18  \w Because|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* \w laziness|strong="H6103"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* roof caves \w in|strong="H1004"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w because|strong="H3027"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* idle \w hands|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3027"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* \w leaks|strong="H1811"\w*.   
\q1
\v 19  \w Feasts|strong="H3899"\w* \w are|strong="H6213"\w* \w made|strong="H6213"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w laughter|strong="H7814"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6030"\w* \w wine|strong="H3196"\w* \w makes|strong="H6213"\w* \w life|strong="H2416"\w* \w merry|strong="H8055"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H6030"\w* \w money|strong="H3701"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w answer|strong="H6030"\w* \w for|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\q1
\v 20  \w Do|strong="H1167"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w king|strong="H4428"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w thoughts|strong="H1697"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H4428"\w* \w do|strong="H1167"\w* \w not|strong="H3588"\w* \w curse|strong="H7043"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w rich|strong="H6223"\w* \w while|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H4428"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w bedroom|strong="H2315"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bird|strong="H5775"\w* might \w report|strong="H1697"\w* \w what|strong="H1697"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* thinking,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H1571"\w* \w some|strong="H1697"\w* \w winged|strong="H3671"\w* creature might repeat \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\c 11  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w Send|strong="H7971"\w* \w your|strong="H5921"\w* \w grain|strong="H3899"\w* \w overseas|strong="H4325"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w after|strong="H5921"\w* \w many|strong="H7230"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w will|strong="H4325"\w* \w get|strong="H4672"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* return.   
\q1
\v 2  \w Divide|strong="H2506"\w* \w your|strong="H5414"\w* merchandise \w among|strong="H5921"\w* \w seven|strong="H7651"\w* \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w even|strong="H1571"\w* \w eight|strong="H8083"\w* \w investments|strong="H2506"\w*,  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H4100"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w what|strong="H4100"\w* \w calamity|strong="H7451"\w* \w may|strong="H1961"\w* \w happen|strong="H1961"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* earth.   
\q1
\v 3  If \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w are|strong="H8033"\w* \w full|strong="H4390"\w* \w of|strong="H4390"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w*, \w they|strong="H8033"\w* \w will|strong="H6828"\w* \w empty|strong="H7324"\w* \w themselves|strong="H4390"\w* \w on|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* earth,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6086"\w* whether \w a|strong="H3068"\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="H6086"\w* \w to|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w north|strong="H6828"\w*, \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w tree|strong="H6086"\w* \w will|strong="H6828"\w* \w lie|strong="H5307"\w* \w wherever|strong="H4725"\w* \w it|strong="H5921"\w* \w falls|strong="H5307"\w*.   
\q1
\v 4  \w He|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w watches|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w* \w will|strong="H7307"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w sow|strong="H2232"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7200"\w* \w he|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w observes|strong="H8104"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w will|strong="H7307"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w reap|strong="H7114"\w*.   
\q1
\v 5  \w Just|strong="H3605"\w* \w as|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w path|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w wind|strong="H7307"\w*,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w how|strong="H4100"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w bones|strong="H6106"\w* \w form|strong="H4392"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* womb \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w pregnant|strong="H4392"\w* \w woman|strong="H4392"\w*,  
\q1 \w so|strong="H6213"\w* \w you|strong="H3605"\w* \w do|strong="H6213"\w* \w not|strong="H3808"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w work|strong="H4639"\w* \w of|strong="H1870"\w* \w God|strong="H3808"\w* \w who|strong="H3605"\w* \w makes|strong="H6213"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\q1
\v 6  \w Sow|strong="H2232"\w* \w your|strong="H3045"\w* \w seed|strong="H2233"\w* \w in|strong="H3027"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w morning|strong="H1242"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3027"\w* \w do|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3045"\w* stop working \w until|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w evening|strong="H6153"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w do|strong="H2088"\w* \w not|strong="H3045"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w which|strong="H2088"\w* activity \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w succeed|strong="H3787"\w* –  
\q1 \w whether|strong="H3045"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w* \w or|strong="H2896"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w one|strong="H2088"\w*, \w or|strong="H2896"\w* \w whether|strong="H3045"\w* \w both|strong="H8147"\w* \w will|strong="H3027"\w* \w prosper|strong="H3787"\w* equally.   
\s1 Life Should Be Enjoyed Because Death is Inevitable  
\q1
\v 7  Light \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w sweet|strong="H4966"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H5869"\w* \w it|strong="H7200"\w* \w is|strong="H2896"\w* \w pleasant|strong="H2896"\w* \w for|strong="H5869"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w person|strong="H7200"\w* \w to|strong="H7200"\w* \w see|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w*.   
\q1
\v 8  \w So|strong="H1961"\w*, \w if|strong="H3588"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w* \w lives|strong="H2421"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w*, \w let|strong="H8055"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w rejoice|strong="H8055"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w them|strong="H8055"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w let|strong="H8055"\w* \w him|strong="H3605"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w darkness|strong="H2822"\w* \w will|strong="H1961"\w* \w be|strong="H1961"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* – \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* \w about|strong="H1961"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w come|strong="H1961"\w* \w is|strong="H3117"\w* obscure.   
\s1 Enjoy Life to the Fullest under the Fear of God  
\q1
\v 9  \w Rejoice|strong="H8055"\w*, \w young|strong="H3117"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*, \w while|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H3117"\w* \w young|strong="H3117"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w let|strong="H8055"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w cheer|strong="H3190"\w* \w you|strong="H3588"\w* \w in|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w youth|strong="H3208"\w*.  
\q1 \w Follow|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w impulses|strong="H1870"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w heart|strong="H3820"\w* \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w desires|strong="H3820"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* \w eyes|strong="H5869"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H3588"\w* \w know|strong="H3045"\w* \w that|strong="H3588"\w* \w God|strong="H3190"\w* \w will|strong="H5869"\w* \w judge|strong="H4941"\w* \w your|strong="H3605"\w* motives \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w actions|strong="H1870"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w Banish|strong="H5493"\w* \w emotional|strong="H5493"\w* \w stress|strong="H3708"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w mind|strong="H3820"\w*.  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1892"\w* \w put|strong="H5493"\w* \w away|strong="H5493"\w* \w pain|strong="H7451"\w* \w from|strong="H5493"\w* \w your|strong="H3588"\w* \w body|strong="H1320"\w*;  
\q1 \w for|strong="H3588"\w* \w youth|strong="H3208"\w* \w and|strong="H1892"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w prime|strong="H7839"\w* \w of|strong="H3820"\w* \w life|strong="H7839"\w* \w are|strong="H1320"\w* \w fleeting|strong="H1892"\w*.   
\c 12  
\p  
\q1
\v 1  \w So|strong="H3808"\w* \w remember|strong="H2142"\w* \w your|strong="H2142"\w* \w Creator|strong="H1254"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w of|strong="H3117"\w* \w your|strong="H2142"\w* youth –  
\q1 \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* difficult \w days|strong="H3117"\w* \w come|strong="H5060"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H3117"\w* \w years|strong="H8141"\w* \w draw|strong="H5060"\w* \w near|strong="H5060"\w* \w when|strong="H3117"\w* \w you|strong="H3117"\w* \w will|strong="H3808"\w* say, “\w I|strong="H3117"\w* \w have|strong="H3117"\w* \w no|strong="H3808"\w* \w pleasure|strong="H2656"\w* \w in|strong="H8141"\w* \w them|strong="H5704"\w*”;   
\q1
\v 2  \w before|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w sun|strong="H8121"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* light \w of|strong="H3556"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w moon|strong="H3394"\w* \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w stars|strong="H3556"\w* \w grow|strong="H2821"\w* \w dark|strong="H2821"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w clouds|strong="H5645"\w* \w disappear|strong="H7725"\w* \w after|strong="H5704"\w* \w the|strong="H7725"\w* \w rain|strong="H1653"\w*;   
\q1
\v 3  \w when|strong="H3588"\w* \w those|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w watch|strong="H8104"\w* over \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w house|strong="H1004"\w* begin \w to|strong="H8104"\w* \w tremble|strong="H2111"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* virile \w men|strong="H2428"\w* begin \w to|strong="H8104"\w* \w stoop|strong="H5791"\w* over,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* \w grinders|strong="H2912"\w* begin \w to|strong="H8104"\w* cease \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w grow|strong="H2821"\w* \w few|strong="H4592"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H3117"\w* \w those|strong="H3588"\w* \w who|strong="H8104"\w* \w look|strong="H7200"\w* \w through|strong="H7200"\w* \w the|strong="H7200"\w* windows \w grow|strong="H2821"\w* \w dim|strong="H2821"\w*,   
\q1
\v 4  \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w doors|strong="H1817"\w* \w along|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w street|strong="H7784"\w* \w are|strong="H1323"\w* \w shut|strong="H5462"\w*;  
\q1 \w when|strong="H6963"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w grinding|strong="H2913"\w* \w mill|strong="H2913"\w* grows \w low|strong="H8217"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w one|strong="H3605"\w* \w is|strong="H3605"\w* awakened \w by|strong="H6965"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w sound|strong="H6963"\w* \w of|strong="H1323"\w* \w a|strong="H3068"\w* \w bird|strong="H6833"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H6965"\w* \w all|strong="H3605"\w* \w their|strong="H3605"\w* \w songs|strong="H7892"\w* grow faint,   
\q1
\v 5  \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w they|strong="H3588"\w* \w are|strong="H1870"\w* \w afraid|strong="H3372"\w* \w of|strong="H1004"\w* heights \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* dangers \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w street|strong="H7784"\w*;  
\q1 \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w almond|strong="H8247"\w* blossoms \w grow|strong="H1980"\w* white,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w grasshopper|strong="H2284"\w* \w drags|strong="H5445"\w* \w itself|strong="H1571"\w* \w along|strong="H1980"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* caper berry \w shrivels|strong="H6565"\w* \w up|strong="H1980"\w* –  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* man \w goes|strong="H1980"\w* \w to|strong="H1980"\w* \w his|strong="H3588"\w* \w eternal|strong="H5769"\w* \w home|strong="H1004"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w mourners|strong="H5594"\w* \w go|strong="H1980"\w* \w about|strong="H5437"\w* \w in|strong="H1980"\w* \w the|strong="H3588"\w* \w streets|strong="H7784"\w* –   
\q1
\v 6  \w before|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w silver|strong="H3701"\w* \w cord|strong="H2256"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w removed|strong="H7368"\w*,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w golden|strong="H2091"\w* \w bowl|strong="H1543"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w broken|strong="H7665"\w*,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w pitcher|strong="H3537"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w shattered|strong="H7665"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w well|strong="H4002"\w*,  
\q1 \w or|strong="H3808"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* water \w wheel|strong="H1534"\w* \w is|strong="H3701"\w* \w broken|strong="H7665"\w* \w at|strong="H5921"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* cistern –   
\q1
\v 7  \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w dust|strong="H6083"\w* \w returns|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* \w earth|strong="H6083"\w* \w as|strong="H1961"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H7725"\w* \w the|strong="H5921"\w* life’s \w breath|strong="H7307"\w* \w returns|strong="H7725"\w* \w to|strong="H7725"\w* \w God|strong="H5414"\w* who \w gave|strong="H5414"\w* \w it|strong="H5414"\w*.   
\s1 Concluding Refrain: Qoheleth Restates His Thesis  
\q1
\v 8 “\w Absolutely|strong="H1892"\w* \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*!” laments \w the|strong="H3605"\w* Teacher,  
\q1 “\w All|strong="H3605"\w* \w of|strong="H3605"\w* \w these|strong="H3605"\w* \w things|strong="H3605"\w* are \w futile|strong="H1892"\w*!”   
\s1 Concluding Epilogue: Qoheleth’s Advice is Wise  
\q1
\v 9  \w Not|strong="H1961"\w* \w only|strong="H7235"\w* \w was|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* Teacher \w wise|strong="H2450"\w*,  
\q1 \w but|strong="H1961"\w* \w he|strong="H5971"\w* \w also|strong="H5750"\w* \w taught|strong="H3925"\w* \w knowledge|strong="H1847"\w* \w to|strong="H1961"\w* \w the|strong="H1961"\w* \w people|strong="H5971"\w*;  
\q1 \w he|strong="H5971"\w* carefully evaluated \w and|strong="H5971"\w* \w arranged|strong="H8626"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w proverbs|strong="H4912"\w*.   
\q1
\v 10  \w The|strong="H1697"\w* Teacher \w sought|strong="H1245"\w* \w to|strong="H1245"\w* \w find|strong="H4672"\w* \w delightful|strong="H2656"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w to|strong="H1245"\w* \w write|strong="H3789"\w* \w accurately|strong="H3476"\w* truthful \w sayings|strong="H1697"\w*.   
\q1
\v 11  \w The|strong="H5414"\w* \w words|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* sages \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w like|strong="H1697"\w* prods,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1697"\w* \w the|strong="H5414"\w* collected \w sayings|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w like|strong="H1697"\w* firmly fixed \w nails|strong="H4930"\w*;  
\q1 \w they|strong="H1697"\w* \w are|strong="H1697"\w* \w given|strong="H5414"\w* \w by|strong="H5414"\w* \w one|strong="H1697"\w* \w shepherd|strong="H7462"\w*.   
\s1 Concluding Exhortation: Fear God and Obey His Commands!  
\q1
\v 12  \w Be|strong="H1121"\w* \w warned|strong="H2094"\w*, \w my|strong="H6213"\w* \w son|strong="H1121"\w*, \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w anything|strong="H1992"\w* \w in|strong="H6213"\w* \w addition|strong="H3148"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w them|strong="H1992"\w*.  
\q1 \w There|strong="H1992"\w* \w is|strong="H1320"\w* \w no|strong="H6213"\w* \w end|strong="H7093"\w* \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w making|strong="H6213"\w* \w of|strong="H1121"\w* \w many|strong="H7235"\w* \w books|strong="H5612"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="H1121"\w* \w much|strong="H7235"\w* \w study|strong="H3854"\w* \w is|strong="H1320"\w* exhausting \w to|strong="H6213"\w* \w the|strong="H6213"\w* \w body|strong="H1320"\w*.   
\q1
\v 13  \w Having|strong="H3588"\w* \w heard|strong="H8085"\w* \w everything|strong="H3605"\w*, \w I|strong="H3588"\w* \w have|strong="H1697"\w* \w reached|strong="H1697"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w conclusion|strong="H5490"\w*:  
\q1 \w Fear|strong="H3372"\w* God \w and|strong="H8085"\w* \w keep|strong="H8104"\w* \w his|strong="H3605"\w* \w commandments|strong="H4687"\w*,  
\q1 \w because|strong="H3588"\w* \w this|strong="H2088"\w* \w is|strong="H2088"\w* \w the|strong="H3605"\w* \w whole|strong="H3605"\w* \w duty|strong="H1697"\w* \w of|strong="H1697"\w* \w man|strong="H3605"\w*.   
\q1
\v 14  \w For|strong="H3588"\w* God \w will|strong="H7451"\w* evaluate \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w deed|strong="H4639"\w*,  
\p \w including|strong="H3605"\w* \w every|strong="H3605"\w* \w secret|strong="H5956"\w* \w thing|strong="H2896"\w*, whether \w good|strong="H2896"\w* \w or|strong="H2896"\w* \w evil|strong="H7451"\w*.   