Ecclesiastes 5:13-20

English Standard Version

^13 (A)There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, ¹⁴ and those riches were lost in a bad venture. And he is father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand. ^15 (B)As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand. ¹⁶ This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what ^(C)gain is there to him who ^(D)toils for the wind? ¹⁷ Moreover, all his days he ^(E)eats in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger.

¹⁸ Behold, what I have seen to be ^(F)good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment^[a] in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his ^(G)lot. ¹⁹ Everyone also to whom ^(H)God has given ^(I)wealth and possessions ^(J)and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is ^(K)the gift of God. ²⁰ For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.