¹⁶ In my search for wisdom and in my observation of people’s burdens here on earth, I discovered that there is ceaseless activity, day and night.

²³ Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

¹³ I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.

The Wicked and the Righteous

⁹ I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.

⁷ Indeed, how can people avoid what they don’t know is going to happen?

²⁵ I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness.

¹² People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.

⁸ This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

⁴⁰ “I worked for you through the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights.