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?
"For we are sojournersbeforeYou, and tenants,as allour fatherswere; our dayson the earthare like a shadow,and thereis nohope.
"Like a flowerhe comesforthand withers.He also fleeslike a shadowand does not remain.
"His sonsachievehonor,but he does not know[it]; Or they becomeinsignificant,but he does not perceiveit.
"For we are [only] of yesterdayand knownothing,Becauseour dayson earthare as a shadow.
My daysare like a lengthenedshadow,And I witheraway like grass.
I am passinglike a shadowwhen it lengthens;I am shakenofflike the locust.
Manis likea merebreath;His daysare like a passingshadow.
The LORDis the portionof my inheritanceand my cup;You supportmy lot.
As for me, I shall beholdYour facein righteousness;I will be satisfiedwith Your likenesswhen I awake.
Manyare saying,"Whowill showus [any] good?"Liftup the lightof Your countenanceupon us, O LORD!
He choosesour inheritancefor us, The gloryof JacobwhomHe loves.Selah.
Rememberwhatmy spanof lifeis; For whatvanityYou have createdallthe sonsof men!
Yet the foolmultiplieswords.Nomanknowswhatwill happen,and whocan tellhim whatwill comeafterhim?
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.
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.
I have seenthat nothingis betterthanthat manshould be happyin his activities,for that is his lot.For whowill bringhim to seewhatwill occurafterhim?
For thereare manywordswhich increasefutility.What[then] is the advantageto a man?
I have seeneverythingduring my lifetimeof futility;thereis a righteousmanwho perishesin his righteousnessand thereis a wickedmanwho prolongs[his life] in his wickedness.
But it will not be wellfor the evilmanand he will not lengthenhis dayslike a shadow,becausehe does not fearGod.
Ifnooneknowswhatwill happen,whocan tellhim whenit will happen?
Indeedtheir love,their hateand their zealhave alreadyperished,and they will nolongerhavea sharein allthat is doneunderthe sun.
Enjoylifewith the womanwhomyou loveallthe daysof your fleetinglifewhichHe has givento you underthe sun; for thisis your rewardin lifeand in your toilin whichyou have laboredunderthe sun.
He has toldyou, O man,whatis good;And whatdoes the LORDrequireof you But to dojustice,to lovekindness,And to walkhumblywith your God?
Yetyou do not knowwhatyour lifewill be like tomorrow.You are [just] a vaporthat appearsfor a little whileand thenvanishes away.
