Human Misery and Evil

1 God plans for us humans

to work hard

from the day of our birth

until we are buried in the soil

from which we were made.

2We don't understand life,

so we worry and dread the day

that it will end.

* 3And each of us is bothered

by troubling feelings--

from the king,

seated on his glorious throne

and wearing his crown

and royal robes,

* 4to the homeless in the street,

sitting in dirt and grime

and wearing worn-out clothes.

5We are angry, jealous,

or hateful;

or maybe we feel guilty

or are afraid of death.

Sometimes we are confused

by a dream,

6or lie awake

worrying about our work,

and so we get little rest.

We see ourselves

running for our lives,

7and almost reaching safety,

then we wake up, amazed--

it was all a dream.

8The troubles that sinners have

will be seven times worse

than those of other people.

Any living creature

9can suffer a violent death

when there is war or fighting,

or they can die from disaster,

horrible disease, or famine.

10 But God created these troubles

to punish those who do wrong,

as when he sent the flood.

11 Animals and humans

were created from the soil,

and will return to it,

just as water

returns to the sea.

12What you gain by being honest

will last forever,

but wealth you get

by bribery and cheating

will disappear.

13It will dry up like a stream

in the summer heat,

or quickly fade, like thunder

from a passing storm.

14And while generous people

can celebrate success,

those who disobey God

will be failures.

15Their children will be like trees

growing out of a rocky cliff

and having rotten roots

and few branches.

16They are like the tall grass

that grows beside a stream--

when the stream runs dry,

the grass quickly withers.

17But those who show kindness,

especially to the poor,

are gardens that always bloom

with blessing after blessing.

What Is Good for People

18It is good to have a job

and earn your own money,

but it is even better

to discover hidden treasure.

19Having wisdom is better

than giving your name

to your children or to a city

that you have built.

Cattle and fruit trees

can bring you wealth,

but a happy marriage

is better than riches.

20Wine and music bring happiness,

but if you love wisdom,

you will be even happier.

21A pleasant voice is sweeter

than the music

of flutes and harps.

22Our eyes like beauty

and graceful movement,

but most of all, we want to see

our fields becoming green

with sprouting wheat.

23Having friends and neighbors

is important,

but being married

is even better.

24Relatives and friends can help

when you are in trouble,

but the best help comes

from giving to the poor.

25Gold and silver

may give security,

but they don't compare

with good advice.

26Many trust wealth and power,

but if you obey the Lord,

he will give you

whatever you need

if you will just ask.

27If you obey the Lord,

he will protect you

and make your life a garden

where blessings grow.

Don't Be a Beggar

28You would be better off dead

than to be a beggar.

29If you have to beg for food,

your life isn't your own,

and you won't have

any respect for yourself.

If you are smart

and have learned anything,

you won't beg.

30No matter what beggars say,

they really are ashamed

of what they do.