¹⁷ So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun caused me only great sorrow; because all is futility and chasing after the wind.

The Futility of Labor

¹⁸ So I hated all the fruit (gain) of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will succeed me.^{(A) 19} And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit). ²⁰ So I turned aside and let my heart despair over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun. ²¹ For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil. ²² For what does a man get from all his labor and from the striving and sorrow of his heart with which he labors under the sun? ²³ For all his days his work is painful and sorrowful; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity (worthless).

²⁴ There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and assure himself that there is good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God. ²⁵ For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? ²⁶ For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.