Dual Panel1So I reflected <05414> on all <03605> this <03820> <02088>, attempting to <0413> clear it all <03605> up. I concluded <0952> that <0834> the righteous <06662> and the wise <02450>, as well as their works <05652>, are in the hand <03027> of God <0430>; whether a person will be loved <0160> or hated <08135>– no <0369> one <0120> knows <03045> what lies <03605> ahead <06440>.
2Everyone <03605> shares the same <0259> fate <04745>– the righteous <06662> and the wicked <07563>, the good <02896> and the bad, the ceremonially clean <02889> and unclean <02931>, those who offer sacrifices <02076> and those who <0834> do not <0369>. What happens to the good person <02896>, also happens to the sinner <02398>; what happens to those who make vows <07650>, also happens to those who <0834> are afraid <03372> to make vows <07621>.
3This <02088> is the unfortunate fact <07451> about everything <03605> that <0834> happens <06213> on earth <08121> <08478>: the same <0259> fate <04745> awaits everyone <03605>. In addition to this, the hearts <03820> of all people <0120> <01121> are full <04390> of evil <07451>, and there is folly <01947> in their hearts <03824> during their lives <02416>– then they die <04191>.
4But whoever <0834> <04310> is among <0413> the living <02416> has <03426> hope <0986>; a live <02416> dog <03611> is better <02896> than <04480> a dead <04191> lion <0738>.
5For <03588> the living <02416> know <03045> that they will die <04191>, but the dead <04191> do not <0369> know <03045> anything <03972>; they have no <0369> further <05750> reward <07939>– and even the memory <02143> of them disappears <07911>.
6What they loved <0160>, as well as <01571> what they hated <08135> and envied <07068>, perished <06> long ago, and they <01992> no <0369> longer <05769> <05750> have a part <02506> in anything <03605> that <0834> happens <06213> on earth <08121> <08478>.
7Go <01980>, eat <0398> your food <03899> with joy <08057>, and drink <08354> your wine <03196> with a happy <02896> heart <03820>, because <03588> God <0430> has already <03528> approved <07521> your works <04639>.
8Let your clothes <0899> always <06256> <03605> be <01961> white <03836>, and do not <0408> spare <02637> precious ointment <08081> on <05921> your head <07218>.
9Enjoy <07200> life <02416> with <05973> your beloved <0157> wife <0802> during all <03605> the days <03117> of your fleeting <01892> life <02416> that God has <0834> given <05414> you on <08478> earth <08121> during all <03605> your fleeting <01892> days <03117>; for <03588> that <01931> is your reward <02506> in life <02416> and in your <0859> burdensome <05999> work <06001> on earth <08121> <08478>.
10Whatever <0834> you find <04672> to do <06213> with your hands <03027>, do <06213> it with all <03605> your might <03581>, because <03588> there is neither <0369> work <04639> nor planning <02808> nor knowledge <01847> nor wisdom <02451> in the grave <07585>, the place where <0834> you <0859> will eventually go <01980>.
11Again <07725>, I observed <07200> this on <08478> the earth <08121>: the race <04793> is not <03808> always won by the swiftest <07031>, the battle <04421> is not <03808> always won by the strongest <01368>; prosperity <03899> does not <03808> always belong to those who are the wisest <02450>, wealth <06239> does not <03808> always belong to those who are the most discerning <0995>, nor <03808> does success <02580> always come to those with the most knowledge <03045>– for <03588> time <06256> and chance <06294> may overcome <07136> them all <03605>.
12Surely <01571> <03588>, no <03808> one <0120> knows <03045> his appointed time <06256>! Like fish <01709> that are caught <0270> in a deadly <07451> net <04686>, and like birds <06833> that are caught <0270> in a snare <06341>– just like them <01992>, all people <0120> <01121> are ensnared <03369> at an unfortunate <07451> time <06256> that falls <05307> upon <05921> them suddenly <06597>.
13This <02090> is what I also <01571> observed <07200> about wisdom <02451> on earth <08121> <08478>, and it is a great <01419> burden to <0413> me:
14There was once a small <06996> city <05892> with a few <04592> men <0582> in it, and a mighty king <04428> attacked <0935> it, besieging <05437> it and building <01129> strong <01419> <01419> siege works <04685> against <05921> it.
15However, a poor <04542> but wise <02450> man <0376> lived <04672> in the city, and he <01931> could have delivered the <04422> city <05892> by his wisdom <02451>, but no <03808> one <0120> listened <02142> to that poor <04542> man <0376>.
16So I <0589> concluded <0559> that wisdom <02451> is better <02896> than might <01369>, but a poor man’s <04542> wisdom <02451> is despised <0959>; no one <0369> ever listens <08085> to his advice <01697>.
17The words <01697> of the wise <02450> are heard <08085> in quiet <05183>, more than the shouting <02201> of a ruler <04910> is heard among fools <03684>.
18Wisdom <02451> is better <02896> than weapons <03627> of war <07128>, but one <0259> sinner <02398> can destroy <06> much <07235> that is good <02896>.