16
For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool!
17
So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
18
And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
19
And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
20
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.
21
For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22
For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun?
23
For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.
24
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of G-d.
25
For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I?
26
For to the man that is good in His sight He giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He giveth the task, to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good in the sight of G-d. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.