Whenthereis a manwhohas laboredwith wisdom,knowledgeand skill,then he giveshis legacyto onewhohas not laboredwith them. Thistoois vanityand a greatevil.
He didrightin the sightof the LORD,and walkedin the waysof his fatherDavidand did not turnasideto the rightor to the left.
There had not been celebrateda Passoverlikeit in Israelsincethe daysof Samuelthe prophet;norhad anyof the kingsof Israelcelebratedsuch a Passoveras Josiahdidwith the priests,the Levites,allJudahand Israelwho were present,and the inhabitantsof Jerusalem.
"And now,Lord,for whatdo I wait?My hopeis in You.
For he sees[that even] wisemendie;The stupidand the senselessalikeperishAnd leavetheir wealthto others.
Their innerthoughtis [that] their housesare forever[And] their dwellingplacesto allgenerations;They have calledtheir landsafter their own names.
Therefore I completelydespairedof allthe fruitof my laborfor whichI had laboredunderthe sun.
I have seenthat everylaborand everyskillwhich is doneis [the result of] rivalrybetween a manand his neighbor.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.
Wisdomis betterthanweaponsof war,but onesinnerdestroysmuchgood.
"Do you becomea kingbecauseyou are competingin cedar?Did not your fathereatand drinkAnd dojusticeand righteousness?Thenit was wellwith him.
"But your eyesand your heartAre [intent] onlyupon your own dishonestgain,And on sheddinginnocentbloodAnd on practicingoppressionand extortion."
