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.
So Jacobsaidto Pharaoh,"The yearsof my sojourningare one hundredand thirty;fewand unpleasanthave beenthe yearsof my life,norhave they attainedthe yearsthat my fatherslivedduring the daysof their sojourning."
"Ifa mandies,will he live[again]? Allthe daysof my struggleI will waitUntilmy changecomes.
And winewhich makesman'sheartglad,So that he may make [his] faceglistenwith oil,And foodwhich sustainsman'sheart.
Wineis a mocker,strongdrinka brawler,And whoeveris intoxicatedby it is not wise.
And I setmy mindto knowwisdomand to knowmadnessand folly;I realizedthat thisalsois strivingafter wind.
[Men] preparea mealfor enjoyment,and winemakeslifemerry,and moneyis the answerto everything.
The conclusion,when allhas been heard,[is]: fearGodand keepHis commandments,becausethis[applies to] everyperson.
Thereis nothingbetterfor a man[than] to eatand drinkand tellhimselfthat his laboris good.ThisalsoI have seenthat it is from the handof God.
Hereis whatI have seento be goodand fitting:to eat,to drinkand enjoyoneself in allone's laborin whichhe toilsunderthe sun[during] the fewyearsof his lifewhichGodhas givenhim; for thisis his reward.
For whoknowswhatis goodfor a manduring [his] lifetime,[during] the fewyearsof his futilelife?He will spendthem like a shadow.For whocan tella manwhatwill be afterhim underthe sun?
It is goodthat you grasponethingand alsonot letgoof the other;for the one who fearsGodcomesforthwith bothof them.
I directedmy mindto know,to investigateand to seekwisdomand an explanation,and to knowthe evilof follyand the foolishnessof madness.
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.
"No onecanservetwomasters;for eitherhe will hatethe oneand lovethe other,orhe will be devotedto oneand despisethe other.You cannotserveGodand wealth.
And do not get drunkwith wine,for that is dissipation,but be filledwith the Spirit,
"But the vinesaidto them, 'Shall I leavemy newwine,which cheersGodand men,and goto waveoverthe trees?'
Then Abigailcameto Nabal,and behold,he was holding a feastin his house,like the feastof a king.And Nabal'sheartwas merrywithinhim, for he was verydrunk;so she did not tellhim anythingat alluntilthe morninglight.
