So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was unhappy to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;

All his life he also eats in darkness with great irritation, sickness, and anger.

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink, and enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few years of his life which God has given him; for this is his reward.

For he will not often call to mind the years of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

The Futility of Life

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is widespread among mankind:

For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person what will happen after him under the sun?

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous person who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked person who prolongs his life in his wickedness.

Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will go well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.

So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a person under the sun except to eat, drink, and be joyful, and this will stand by him in his labor throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your futile life which He has given you under the sun, all the days of your futility; for this is your reward in life and in your work which you have labored under the sun.

People prepare a meal for enjoyment, wine makes life joyful, and money is the answer to everything.

So remove sorrow from your heart and keep pain away from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.