Indeed,ifa manshould livemanyyears,let him rejoicein them all,and let him rememberthe daysof darkness,for they will be many.Everythingthat is to come[will be] futility.
SoJesussaidto them, "For a littlewhilelongerthe Lightis amongyou. Walkwhileyou havethe Light,sothat darknesswill not overtakeyou; he who walksin the darknessdoes not knowwherehe goes.
"Wouldthat they were wise,that they understoodthis,That they would discerntheir future!
A dayof darknessand gloom,A dayof cloudsand thickdarkness.As the dawnis spreadoverthe mountains,[So] there is a greatand mightypeople;There has neverbeen[anything] likeit, Norwill there be againafterit To the yearsof manygenerations.
In the dayof prosperitybe happy,But in the dayof adversityconsider--Godhas madethe oneas wellas the otherSothat manwill not discoveranything[that will be] afterhim.
that they were sayingto you, "In the lasttimethere will be mockers,followingaftertheir ownungodlylusts."
Givegloryto the LORDyour God,BeforeHe bringsdarknessAnd beforeyour feetstumbleOn the duskymountains,And while you are hopingfor lightHe makesit into deepdarkness,[And] turns[it] into gloom.
So I commendedpleasure,for thereis nothinggoodfor a manunderthe sunexceptto eatand to drinkand to be merry,and thiswill standby him in his toils[throughout] the daysof his lifewhichGodhas givenhim underthe sun.
Althougha sinnerdoesevila hundred[times] and may lengthenhis [life], stillI knowthat it will be wellfor those who fearGod,whofearHim openly.
For thereare manywordswhich increasefutility.What[then] is the advantageto a man?
"Thenthe kingsaidto the servants,'Bindhim handand foot,and throwhim into the outerdarkness;in that place therewill be weepingand gnashingof teeth.'
"Even ifthe [other] man livesa thousandyearstwiceand does not enjoygoodthings--do not allgoto oneplace?"
Thereis noendto allthe people,to allwhowere beforethem, and eventhe oneswhowill comelaterwill not be happywith him, for thistoois vanityand strivingafter wind.
Therewas a certainmanwithouta dependent,havingneithera sonnora brother,yet therewas noendto allhis labor.Indeed,his eyeswere not satisfiedwith riches[and he never asked], "And for whomam I laboringand deprivingmyselfof pleasure?"Thistoois vanityand it is a grievoustask.
For to a personwhois goodin His sightHe has givenwisdomand knowledgeand joy,while to the sinnerHe has giventhe taskof gatheringand collectingso that he may giveto onewhois goodin God'ssight.Thistoois vanityand strivingafter wind.
And whoknowswhether he will be a wisemanora fool?Yet he will have controloverallthe fruitof my laborfor whichI have laboredby actingwiselyunderthe sun.Thistoois vanity.
So I hatedlife,for the workwhichhad been doneunderthe sunwas grievousto me; becauseeverythingis futilityand strivingafter wind.
Then I saidto myself,"As is the fateof the fool,it will alsobefallme. Whythenhave I beenextremelywise?"So I saidto myself,"Thistoois vanity."
"He is drivenfrom lightinto darkness,And chasedfrom the inhabitedworld.
"He wandersabout for food,saying, 'Whereis it?' He knowsthat a dayof darknessis at hand.
"But mandiesand liesprostrate.Manexpires,and whereis he?
The landof uttergloomas darkness[itself], Of deepshadowwithoutorder,And which shinesas the darkness."
Go[then], eatyour breadin happinessand drinkyour winewith a cheerfulheart;for Godhas alreadyapprovedyour works.
Divideyour portionto seven,or evento eight,for you do not knowwhatmisfortunemay occuron the earth.
BeforeI go--and I shall not return--To the landof darknessand deepshadow,
So manliesdownand does not rise.Untilthe heavensare nolonger,He will not awakenorbe arousedout of his sleep.
Manin [his] pomp,yet withoutunderstanding,Is likethe beaststhat perish.
