Ecclesiastes 5:13-20 ▼

13 I have observed a painful tragedy on earth: Wealth hoarded by its owner harms him,

14 and that wealth is lost in troubled circumstances. Then a son is born, but there is nothing left for him.

15 Just as he came naked from his mother's womb, he will leave as naked as he came; he will receive no profit from his efforts— he cannot carry away even a handful.

16 This is also a painful tragedy: However a person comes, he also departs; so what does he gain as he labors after the wind?

17 Furthermore, all his days he lives in darkness with great sorrow, anger, and affliction.

18 Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person's work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment.

19 Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God.

20 For he will not brood much over the days of his life, since God will keep him occupied with the joys of his heart.