Ecclesiastes 5 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Ecclesiastes 5 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 5 of Ecclesiastes continues the exploration of life's vanities, focusing on the futility of material wealth and religious hypocrisy.

1. Respect for God, Not Empty Rituals (v. 1-7):

Approach God with reverence and listening, not empty words and hasty vows (v. 1-2). It's better to be silent than to make promises to God you can't keep.
Dreams and many words are meaningless (v. 3, 7). Don't be fooled by fleeting thoughts or excessive talk; true wisdom lies in action and understanding.
Fear God and fulfill your vows (v. 4-6). God sees through hypocrisy. It's better to be honest about your limitations than to make promises you won't keep.

2. The Emptiness of Wealth and Power (v. 8-17):

Wealth often leads to oppression and dissatisfaction (v. 8-9). Those in power often exploit others, and even with abundance, there's always a desire for more.
Money can't buy happiness or security (v. 10-12). The pursuit of wealth is endless and ultimately unsatisfying.
We can't take our possessions with us when we die (v. 13-17). Material wealth is temporary and ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of life.

3. Finding Joy in the Midst of Vanity (v. 18-20):

Accept the gifts God gives you and find joy in your work (v. 18-20). Despite life's vanities, there's still beauty and satisfaction to be found in simple pleasures and honest labor.

Key Themes:

The futility of materialism: Wealth and possessions are fleeting and cannot bring lasting happiness.
The importance of genuine faith: God desires sincere worship and fulfillment of vows, not empty rituals.
Finding joy in the present: Despite life's uncertainties, we can find meaning and satisfaction in the present moment.

Overall Message:

Chapter 5 reminds us that true fulfillment comes not from chasing after wealth or power, but from living a life of integrity, honoring God, and finding joy in the simple gifts of life. It encourages us to approach God with humility and sincerity, recognizing that true wealth lies in our relationship with Him.

Ecclesiastes 5 bible study ai commentary

Ecclesiastes 5 offers a practical guide on how to navigate life "under the sun," contrasting the vanity of empty religion and the foolish pursuit of wealth with the wisdom of reverent worship and enjoying God's daily gifts. The chapter is structured to first address our vertical relationship with God (worship and vows), then our horizontal reality (government and money), and finally concludes with the proper, God-centered perspective that brings contentment amidst the chaos.

Ecclesiastes 5 Context

This chapter is set against the backdrop of post-exilic Israel, where the Temple ("the house of God") was the center of religious life, but formalism and hypocrisy were significant dangers. Socially and politically, the Teacher observes a world of bureaucratic hierarchies and injustice, a common experience under Persian or Hellenistic rule. The wisdom presented is a polemic against two extremes: a detached, mechanical religiosity that goes through the motions without heart-felt reverence, and a cynical materialism that sees the accumulation of wealth as the purpose of life.

Ecclesiastes 5:1

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

In-depth-analysis

Guard your steps: A call for deliberate, mindful, and reverent preparation before entering worship. It's about the intention and posture of the heart, not just physical movement.
House of God: For the original audience, this was the Jerusalem Temple, the physical place of God's dwelling presence.
Listen rather than ... sacrifice: This sets up a core biblical principle. The Hebrew for "listen" is shama', which implies hearing, understanding, paying attention, and obeying. It is contrasted with the "sacrifice of fools," a mindless, mechanical ritual offered without obedience or self-awareness.
Fools... do not know: Their ignorance is not an excuse but the very definition of their folly. They are so disconnected from the meaning of their religious acts that they sin without even realizing it.

Bible references

1 Samuel 15:22: 'Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice...' (The foundational statement of this principle).
Proverbs 21:3: 'To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.' (Reinforces that action and ethics outweigh empty ritual).
Hosea 6:6: 'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.' (God's own stated preference for relationship over ritual).
James 1:19: '...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak...' (A direct echo of the wisdom to listen before acting/speaking).

Cross references

Prov 1:7 (fear of the Lord); Prov 15:8 (sacrifice of wicked is abomination); Isa 1:11-17 (God despising meaningless offerings); Amos 5:21-24 (God's hatred of religious feasts without justice); Mic 6:6-8 (what the Lord requires); Matt 9:13 (Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6).

Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter anything before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.

In-depth-analysis

This flows directly from verse 1. Insincere worship often involves insincere or thoughtless speech.
Rash with your mouth / heart be hasty: Emphasizes the need for premeditated, careful speech in prayer and vows.
God is in heaven, and you on earth: A statement of radical transcendence and human limitation. This awareness of the immense gap between the divine and the human should produce humility and reverence, leading to careful speech.
Let your words be few: Brevity in prayer is a sign of wisdom and reverence, not a lack of piety.
Dream ... cares / fool ... words: An analogy. Just as a chaotic, busy day ("many cares") leads to nonsensical dreams, a mind filled with foolish, undisciplined thoughts ("many words") leads to foolish speech.

Bible references

Matthew 6:7: 'And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words.' (Jesus' direct teaching against verbosity in prayer).
Proverbs 10:19: 'When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.' (A classic wisdom statement equating many words with sin).

Cross references

Job 42:1-6 (Job's repentance after speaking rashly); Prov 17:27-28 (wisdom in holding one's tongue); Jas 3:2-12 (the power and danger of the tongue).

Polemics: This is a direct counter to pagan religious practices, where lengthy incantations and repeated phrases were believed to manipulate the gods. The Teacher asserts that the true God is not swayed by the quantity of words but by the quality of the heart behind them.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. Do 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? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

In-depth-analysis

This section is the ultimate application of the previous verses. Vows are the most serious form of speech before God.
Fulfill your vow: Integrity is paramount. A promise to God is binding and not to be taken lightly. Delaying fulfillment is a sign of a foolish and insincere heart.
Better not to vow: The Teacher is not forbidding vows but warning against making them flippantly. The commitment must be honored.
Temple messenger (mal'ak): This "messenger" or "angel" likely refers to the priest in the Temple to whom a person would have to explain their failure to pay a vow. Making excuses is presented as another sin.
Destroy the work of your hands: Underscores the real-world consequences of religious hypocrisy. Displeasing God through broken promises can lead to ruin and failure in one's life and work.
v. 7 connects all the themes: Meaningless dreams, excessive words, and empty vows are all hevel (vapor, vanity, meaningless). The antidote to this entire web of folly is simple and profound: Fear God. This reverence is the starting point for true wisdom.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 23:21-23: 'If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it... whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do...' (The Mosaic Law on which this teaching is based).
Acts 5:1-4: '...Ananias... sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money... you have not lied just to human beings but to God.' (A narrative NT example of the dire consequences of lying to God about a pledged offering).
Psalm 50:14: 'Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High.' (Connects thanksgiving with the integrity of keeping one's vows).

Cross references

Num 30:2 (Law on vows); Ps 66:13-14; Jonah 2:9 (Jonah vowing to God); Prov 20:25 (It's a trap to dedicate something rashly).

Ecclesiastes 5:8-9

If you see the poor oppressed 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. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

In-depth-analysis

The chapter now pivots from our direct relationship with God to observations about the world.
Do not be surprised: A call for realism, not cynicism. The Teacher is stating that oppression and injustice are predictable features of a fallen world with its layered bureaucracies ("one official is eyed by a higher one"). This hierarchy of power often fosters corruption.
v. 9 (Difficult Hebrew): This verse is notoriously hard to translate. The most likely interpretations are:
1. The ultimate benefit of the land's productivity is for everyone, from the lowest peasant to the king. It grounds society.
2. A king committed to agriculture benefits the whole nation.
3. Even the king is a "servant to the field" (Heb. melek l'sadeh ne'evad), meaning he is ultimately dependent on the land's productivity.
The verse likely serves as a grounding reality check after the observation of corrupt bureaucracy: despite the injustice, everyone is still dependent on the fundamental productivity of the earth.

Bible references

Isaiah 5:7: '...he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.' (A prophetic lament over the same reality).
Amos 5:12: 'For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins—you who oppress the righteous... and turn aside the needy in the gate.' (Prophetic condemnation of the injustice observed by the Teacher).

Cross references

Prov 22:22-23 (warning not to oppress the poor); Jer 22:13-17 (Woe to the king who builds his palace by unrighteousness).

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12

Whoever loves money never has enough money; 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 owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.

In-depth-analysis

Love of money: The Teacher identifies the core problem not as money itself, but the love of it—an insatiable desire that can never be fulfilled.
Goods increase, so do... consumers: An astute economic observation. More wealth brings more dependents, employees, and "hangers-on." The net gain in personal satisfaction is minimal.
Feast his eyes on them: Wealth's primary "benefit" becomes merely visual, a source of pride rather than genuine satisfaction or security.
Sleep of a laborer is sweet: A powerful contrast. The laborer, free from the anxieties of protecting and managing great wealth, enjoys restful sleep regardless of his material state. The rich, however, suffer from anxiety, worry, and the health effects of overindulgence ("abundance permits them no sleep").

Bible references

Luke 12:15: 'And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in an abundance of his possessions.”' (Jesus teaching the same principle).
1 Timothy 6:9-10: '...the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil... some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.' (Describes the self-destructive nature of greed).
Proverbs 23:4-5: 'Do not toil to acquire wealth... for riches will surely sprout wings and fly away to the sky like an eagle.' (The fleeting and unreliable nature of wealth).

Cross references

Ps 39:6; Prov 1:19; Hag 1:6 (earning wages only to put them in a purse with holes); Matt 6:24 (cannot serve God and mammon); Heb 13:5 (be content with what you have).

Ecclesiastes 5:13-17

I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when he has a son there is nothing left for him. Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as they come, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, illness and anger.

In-depth-analysis

Grievous evil (ra'ah chola'ah): A strong term indicating a sick, tragic injustice.
Wealth hoarded to... harm: Hoarded wealth doesn't just fail to satisfy; it actively harms the owner through anxiety and corruption.
Lost through... misfortune: Wealth is fragile and can be wiped out, leaving nothing for the next generation.
Naked from... womb... depart: The ultimate equalizer. No one, no matter how rich, can take their possessions with them in death. This reality exposes the ultimate vanity of accumulation for its own sake.
Toil for the wind: A powerful metaphor for futile, meaningless labor that achieves nothing of lasting value.
Eat in darkness: A picture of a miserable life. The rich person's life, consumed by their wealth, is not one of light and joy but of "darkness, with great frustration, illness and anger."

Bible references

Job 1:21: 'Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away...' (The classic expression of this truth).
Psalm 49:17: 'For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down with him.' (A psalm reflecting on the inability of wealth to transcend death).
1 Timothy 6:7: 'For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.' (The NT echoing this exact sentiment).
Luke 12:20: 'But God said to him, ‘Fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'' (The parable of the Rich Fool, illustrating the ultimate folly of hoarding wealth).

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

This is what I have observed to be good and fitting: to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in all the toil with which one labors 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. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

In-depth-analysis

This is the Teacher's positive conclusion and the chapter's resolution. After analyzing what is vain, he states what is "good and fitting" (tov wa-yafeh).
Eat, drink and find satisfaction: This is not hedonism but a call to gratefully enjoy the simple, God-given pleasures of daily life and work.
Their lot: The Hebrew word (cheleq) means "portion" or "allotment." It is accepting the life that God has assigned to you.
Ability to enjoy them (hishlito): A key concept. Merely having wealth is meaningless (v.11); the power or capacity to enjoy it is a separate and distinct gift from God. This is the difference between the miserable rich man (v.12) and the content person here.
This is a gift of God (mat-tat elohim): This is the foundation. Contentment, enjoyment, and purpose in work are not human achievements but divine gifts.
God keeps them occupied with gladness: The person who accepts life as a gift from God is so filled with present joy that they are not haunted by the past or anxious about the future ("seldom reflect on the days of their life"). This gladness is the direct antidote to the "darkness, frustration, illness and anger" of verse 17.

Bible references

Ecclesiastes 2:24: 'A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.' (The first statement of the book's recurring positive theme).
1 Timothy 6:17: 'Command those who are rich in this present world... to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.' (The NT command to enjoy God's provision).
Philippians 4:11-12: '...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound...' (Paul's testimony to a contentment not based on circumstances, but on Christ).

Cross references

Ecc 3:13, 22; 8:15; 9:7 (recurring theme); Deut 12:18 (command to rejoice before the Lord in your labor).

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 analysis

The Fear of God as the Frame: The chapter is framed by the call to "Fear God" (v.7) and the recognition of His gifts (v.18-20). True reverence in worship is the necessary foundation for true enjoyment in life. Without fearing God, worship becomes hypocrisy and the pursuit of wealth becomes a destructive idol.
Words vs. Contentment: The chapter masterfully contrasts the vanity of empty words (rash speech, broken vows) with the quiet contentment of the laborer and the God-fearer. The fool talks much and has little; the wise person speaks little, works, and enjoys God's provision.
The Power to Enjoy: The Teacher makes a critical distinction between possessing wealth and possessing the ability to enjoy it. This capacity is a sovereign gift from God. This explains why some with little are content, while some with much are miserable. It is not about the "what" but the "who" — the Giver.
Structure: The chapter moves from the sacred (Temple) to the profane (government bureaucracy and materialism) and arrives at a sacred solution for life in the profane world (enjoyment as a gift of God). It teaches that one's attitude in the house of God determines one's ability to find joy in the house of man.

Ecclesiastes 5 summary

This chapter powerfully contrasts folly with wisdom. It rebukes superficial worship and hasty vows, urging reverence and carefulness before a transcendent God. It then diagnoses the vanity of materialism, showing that the love of money brings anxiety and is ultimately futile against death. The solution and true wisdom lie not in accumulating wealth or religious talk, but in "fearing God" and humbly accepting daily life—work, food, and drink—as a precious gift from Him, which is the only source of true contentment and joy.

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Ecclesiastes chapter 5 kjv

¹ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
² Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
³ For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.
⁴ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
⁵ Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
⁶ Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
⁸ If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
⁹ Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
¹⁰ He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
¹¹ When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
¹² The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
¹³ There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
¹⁴ But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
¹⁵ As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
¹⁶ And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
¹⁷ All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
¹⁸ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
¹⁹ Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.
²⁰ For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 nkjv

¹ Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.
² Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
³ For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool's voice is known by his many words.
⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed?
⁵ Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
⁶ Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?
⁷ For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.
⁸ If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
⁹ Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.
¹⁰ He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
¹¹ When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes?
¹² The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
¹³ There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.
¹⁴ But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.
¹⁵ As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.
¹⁶ And this also is a severe evil? Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
¹⁷ All his days he also eats in darkness, And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.
¹⁸ Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage.
¹⁹ As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor?this is the gift of God.
²⁰ For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 niv

¹ Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
² Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
³ A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.
⁴ When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
⁵ It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
⁶ Do 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?
⁷ Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.
⁸ If you see the poor oppressed 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.
⁹ The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.
¹⁰ Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
¹¹ As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?
¹² The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
¹³ I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: 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.
¹⁵ 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.
¹⁶ This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?
¹⁷ All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
¹⁸ 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.
¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 esv

¹ Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.
² Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
³ For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.
⁴ When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.
⁵ It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
⁶ Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
⁷ For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.
⁸ If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
⁹ But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.
¹⁰ He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
¹¹ When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?
¹² Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
¹³ There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt,
¹⁴ and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.
¹⁵ As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.
¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?
¹⁷ Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.
¹⁸ Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.
¹⁹ Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil ? this is the gift of God.
²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Ecclesiastes chapter 5 nlt

¹ As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut. It is evil to make mindless offerings to God.
² Don't make rash promises, and don't be hasty in bringing matters before God. After all, God is in heaven, and you are here on earth. So let your words be few.
³ Too much activity gives you restless dreams; too many words make you a fool.
⁴ When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him.
⁵ It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.
⁶ Don't let your mouth make you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved.
⁷ Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead.
⁸ Don't be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.
⁹ Even the king milks the land for his own profit!
¹⁰ Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
¹¹ The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth ? except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
¹² People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night's sleep.
¹³ There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.
¹⁴ Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one's children.
¹⁵ We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can't take our riches with us.
¹⁶ And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing ? like working for the wind.
¹⁷ Throughout their lives, they live under a cloud ? frustrated, discouraged, and angry.
¹⁸ Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.
¹⁹ And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life ? this is indeed a gift from God.
²⁰ God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.