16. For there will not be a remembrance in perpetuity of the wise, nor of the foolish. And the future times will cover everything together, with oblivion. The learned die in a manner similar to the unlearned.
17. And, because of this, my life wearied me, since I saw that everything under the sun is evil, and everything is empty and an affliction of the spirit.
18. Again, I detested all my efforts, by which I had earnestly labored under the sun, to be taken up by an heir after me,
19. though I know not whether he will be wise or foolish. And yet he will have power over my labors, in which I have toiled and been anxious. And is there anything else so empty?
20. Therefore, I ceased, and my heart renounced further laboring under the sun.
21. For when someone labors in wisdom, and doctrine, and prudence, he leaves behind what he has obtained to one who is idle. So this, too, is emptiness and a great burden.
22. For how can a man benefit from all his labor and affliction of spirit, by which he has been tormented under the sun?
23. All his days have been filled with sorrows and hardships; neither does he rest his mind, even in the night. And is this not emptiness?
24. Is it not better to eat and drink, and to show his soul the good things of his labors? And this is from the hand of God.
25. So who will feast and overflow with delights as much as I have?