New International Version

Ecclesiastes 5:7-12 New International Version (NIV)

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.