I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities because that is his reward. For who can enable him to see what will happen after he dies? ,
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
So I commended enjoyment because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat, drink, and enjoy himself, for this will accompany him in his labour during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.
You are to eat them in the presence of the Lord your God at the place the Lord your God chooses #– #you, your son and daughter, your male and female slave, and the Levite who is within your city gates. Rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you do,
although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.’
If you don’t listen, and if you don’t take it to heart to honour my name,’ says the Lord of Armies, ‘I will send a curse among you, and I will curse your blessings. In fact, I have already begun to curse them because you are not taking it to heart.
God gives a person riches, wealth, and honour so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.
You will rejoice before the Lord your God #– #you, your sons and daughters, your male and female slaves, and the Levite who is within your city gates, since he has no portion or inheritance among you.
Then he said to them, ‘Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, because the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ ,
I explored with my mind the pull of wine on my body #– #my mind still guiding me with wisdom #– #and how to grasp folly, until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?
All that my eyes desired, I did not deny them. I did not refuse myself any pleasure, for I took pleasure in all my struggles. This was my reward for all my struggles.