Your Attitude toward God

1[a]Guard your steps as you go to the house of God, and approach to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2[b]Do not be quick with your mouth or [c]impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3For the dream comes through much [d]effort, and the voice of a fool through many words.

4When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5It is better that you not vow, than vow and not pay. 6Do not let your [e]speech cause [f]you to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice, and destroy the work of your hands? 7For in many dreams and in many words there is futility. Rather, [g]fear God.

8If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the [h]sight; for one [i]official watches over another [j]official, and there are higher [k]officials over them. 9After all, a king who cultivates the field is beneficial to the land.

The Foolishness of Riches

10One who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor one who loves abundance with its income. This too is futility. 11When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to [l]look at them? 12The sleep of the laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the [m]full stomach of the rich person does not allow him to sleep.

13There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth being [n]hoarded by its owner to his detriment. 14When that wealth was lost through bad business and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing [o]to support him. 15As he came naked from his mother’s womb, so he will return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand. 16This also is a sickening evil: exactly as a person [p]is born, so will he [q]die. What then is the advantage for him who labors for the wind? 17All his life he also eats in darkness with great irritation, sickness, and anger.

18Here is what I have seen to be good and [r]fitting: to eat, to drink, and [s]enjoy oneself in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few [t]years of his life which God has given him; for this is his [u]reward. 19Furthermore, as for every person to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also given him the opportunity to [v]enjoy them and to receive his [w]reward and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God. 20For he will not often call to mind the [x]years of his life, because God keeps [y]him busy with the joy of his heart.