THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES

 

Ecclesiastes Chapter 5

1 ¶ Watch your step when you go to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of fools: for they do not think that they do wrong.

2 Do not be rash with your mouth, and do not let your heart be quick to say anything before God: for God is in heaven, and you are on earth: therefore let your words be few.

3 For a dream comes from much worry; and foolish talk from many words.

4 ¶ When you vow a vow to God, do not put off paying it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay what you have vowed.

5 It would be better for you not to vow, than for you to vow and not pay.

6 Do not allow your mouth to bring guilt upon you; or say before the angel, that it was a mistake: why should God get angry at what you say, and destroy the work of your hands?

7 For in many dreams there is much empty talk: but fear God.

8 If, in a province, you see the poor being oppressed, and the violent perverting righteousness and justice, do not be astonished at the situation: for he who is high has one higher watching him; and there are those higher than they.

9 ¶ They will claim that the profit of the land is for all: and that the king is to be served by the field.

10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

11 When goods increase, those who eat them increase: and what good is that to 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 allow him to sleep.

13 There is a great tragedy which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner to his hurt.

14 That wealth is lost in a bad venture: so when he fathers a son, there is nothing in his hand.

15 As he came out of his mother’s womb, he will return naked as he came, and will not take anything he worked for with him.

16 And this also is a painful evil, just as he came, so he will depart: what has he gained by struggling for the wind?

17 All his life he eats in frustration, and he has much sorrow, sickness and anger.

18 ¶ Here is what I have seen to be good: it is excellent and fitting for one to eat and to drink, and find enjoyment in all the work that he does under the sun: for that is your portion during the days that God has given you.

19 Every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and enabled him to eat of it, and to accept his lot, and enjoy his hard work; this is a gift of God.

20 For he will not think much about the days of his life; because God keeps him occupied with a happy heart.