For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

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

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

Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.

When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.