17. Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
18. I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.
19. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.
20. So I began to give myself over to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun.
21. When there is a man whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong.
22. For what does a man get with all his work and all his efforts that he labors at under the sun?
23. For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is futile.
24. There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand,
25. because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him?
26. For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and accumulating in order to give to the one who is pleasing in God’s sight. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.