⁹ All this I saw, as I applied my mind to everything done under the sun. There is a time when a man lords it over others to his own^[a] hurt.

Riches Are Meaningless

⁸ If you see the poor oppressed^(A) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

¹³ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun:^(A)

⁷ Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

¹⁰ I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race.^(A)

¹⁴ I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.^(A)

⁷ They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.^(A)

¹⁰ You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant.^(A) Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”

¹¹ Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. He and Amaziah king of Judah faced each other at Beth Shemesh^(B) in Judah. ¹² Judah was routed by Israel, and every man fled to his home.^(C)

³⁰ But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord^(A) your God had made his spirit stubborn^(B) and his heart obstinate^(C) in order to give him into your hands,^(D) as he has now done.