Ecclesiastes 5:3-14

New International Version

³A dream^(A) comes when there are many cares,
and many words mark the speech of a fool.^(B)

⁴When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it.^(C) He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.^(D) ⁵It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.^(E) ⁶Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.^(F)

Riches Are Meaningless

⁸If you see the poor oppressed^(G) 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. ⁹The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

¹⁰Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.

¹¹As goods increase,
so do those who consume them.
And what benefit are they to the owners
except to feast their eyes on them?

¹²The sleep of a laborer is sweet,
whether they eat little or much,
but as for the rich, their abundance
permits them no sleep.^(H)

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

wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
¹⁴ or wealth lost through some misfortune,
so that when they have children
there is nothing left for them to inherit.

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