[2:17] So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. [2:18] I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who comes after me. [2:19] Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
[2:20] Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun. [2:21] For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. [2:22] For what has a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun? [2:23] For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. [2:24] There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. [2:25] For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I? [2:26] For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
[3:1] For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
[3:2] a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; [3:3] a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; [3:4] a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; [3:5] a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; [3:6] a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; [3:7] a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; [3:8] a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
[3:9] What profit has he who works in that in which he labors? [3:10] I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. [3:11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can't find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. [3:12] I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. [3:13] Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. [3:14] I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him. [3:15] That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
[3:16] Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. [3:17] I said in my heart, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work." [3:18] I said in my heart, "As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. [3:19] For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity. [3:20] All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. [3:21] Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?"
[3:22] Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?
[4:1] Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. [4:2] Therefore I praised the dead who have been long dead more than the living who are yet alive. [4:3] Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. [4:4] Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. [4:5] The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.
[4:6] Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. [4:7] Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. [4:8] There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business.
[4:9] Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. [4:10] For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn't have another to lift him up. [4:11] Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? [4:12] If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.