Ecclesiastes 5:8-15

Common English Bible

Hoarding wealth

⁸ If you witness the poor being oppressed or the violation of what is just and right in some territory, don’t be surprised because a high official watches over another, and yet others stand over them. ⁹ But the land’s yield should be for everyone if the field is cultivated.^{[a] 10} The money lover isn’t satisfied with money; neither is the lover of wealth satisfied with income. This too is pointless. ¹¹ When good things flow, so do those who consume them. But what do owners benefit from such goods, except to feast their eyes on them? ¹² Sweet is the worker’s sleep, whether there’s a lot or little to eat; but the excess of the wealthy won’t let them sleep.

¹³ I have seen a sickening tragedy under the sun: people hoard their wealth to their own detriment. ¹⁴ Then that wealth is lost in a bad business venture so that when they have children, they are left with nothing. ¹⁵ Just as they came from their mother’s womb naked, naked they’ll return, ending up just like they started. All their hard work produces nothing—nothing they can take with them.