1Guard your steps when you go to the House of Elohim. And draw near to listen rather than to give the slaughtering of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

2Do not be hasty with your mouth, and let not your heart hurry to bring forth a word before Elohim. For Elohim is in the heavens, and you on earth, therefore let your words be few.

3For a dream comes through the greatness of the task, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.

4When you make a vow to Elohim, do not delay to pay it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you have vowed.

5It is better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

6Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of Elohim that it was a mistake. Why should Elohim be wroth at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

7For in much dreaming and many words there is futility. But fear Elohim.

8If you see the oppression of the poor, and denial of right-ruling and righteousness in a province, do not be astonished at the matter. For a higher than the high is guarding, and there are higher ones over them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

15As 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.

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

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

18See 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.

19Further, 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.

20Though it not be much, let him remember the days of his life, because Elohim bears witness by the gladness of his heart.