The Scriptures 1998

Ecclesiastes 5:9-19 The Scriptures 1998 (ISR98)

9. And the increase of the land is for all. The sovereign himself is served from the field.

10. He who loves silver is not satisfied with silver; nor he who loves wealth, and increase. That too is futile.

11. With the increase of goods, there is an increase of those consuming them. What advantage then is there to their owners, but to look on?

12. Sweet is the sleep of a labourer whether he eats little or much, but the plenty of the rich does not let him sleep.

13. There is a sickly evil I have seen under the sun: riches kept for their owner, for his evil.

14. But those riches perish through evil use. And he brings forth a son, and there is naught in his hand.

15. As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he returns, to go as he came. And from his labour which goes into his hand he takes none whatsoever.

16. And this too is a grievous evil – exactly as he came, so he goes. And what gain has he since he toiled for the wind?

17. All his days he also eats in darkness, and with much sorrow and sickness and wrath.

18. See what I have seen: It is good and pleasant for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which Elohim gives him, for it is his portion.

19. Further, when Elohim has given any man riches and wealth, and permitted him to enjoy them, and to receive his portion and rejoice in his labour, this is a gift of Elohim.