And I setmy mindto knowwisdomand to knowmadnessand folly;I realizedthat thisalsois strivingafter wind.
When I ponderedto understandthis,It was troublesomein my sight
"Vanityof vanities,"saysthe Preacher,"allis vanity!"
So I hatedlife,for the workwhichhad been doneunderthe sunwas grievousto me; becauseeverythingis futilityand strivingafter wind.
I exploredwith my mind[how] to stimulatemy bodywith winewhile my mindwas guiding[me] wisely,and how to takeholdof folly,untilI could seewhatgoodthere is for the sonsof mento dounderheaventhe fewyearsof their lives.
For the fateof the sonsof menand the fateof beastsis the same.As onediessodiesthe other;indeed, they allhave the samebreathand thereis noadvantagefor manoverbeast,for allis vanity.
I have seenthat everylaborand everyskillwhich is doneis [the result of] rivalrybetween a manand his neighbor.Thistoois vanityand strivingafter wind.
One handfullof restis betterthantwo fistsfullof laborand strivingafter wind.
Whatthe eyesseeis betterthanwhat the souldesires.Thistoois futilityand a strivingafter wind.
WhenI gavemy heartto knowwisdomand to seethe taskwhichhas been doneon the earth(eventhoughoneshould neversleepdayor night),
Thisis an evilin allthat is doneunderthe sun,that there is onefatefor allmen.Furthermore,the heartsof the sonsof menare fullof eviland insanityis in their heartsthroughout their lives.Afterwardsthey [go] to the dead.
But examineeverything[carefully]; hold fastto that which is good;
