Whatthe eyesseeis betterthanwhat the souldesires.Thistoois futilityand a strivingafter wind.
"Ifmy stephas turnedfrom the way,Or my heartfollowedmy eyes,Or if any spothas stuckto my hands,
I have seenallthe workswhichhave been doneunderthe sun,and behold,allis vanityand strivingafter wind.
And I setmy mindto knowwisdomand to knowmadnessand folly;I realizedthat thisalsois strivingafter wind.
"Vanityof vanities,"saysthe Preacher,"Vanityof vanities!Allis vanity."
Rejoice,youngman,during your childhood,and let your heartbe pleasantduring the daysof youngmanhood.And followthe impulsesof your heartand the desiresof your eyes.Yet knowthat Godwill bringyou to judgmentfor allthesethings.
Thus I consideredallmy activitieswhichmy handshad doneand the laborwhichI had exerted,and beholdallwas vanityand strivingafter windand therewas noprofitunderthe sun.
I have seenthat everylaborand everyskillwhich is doneis [the result of] rivalrybetween a manand his neighbor.Thistoois vanityand strivingafter wind.
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.
a manto whomGodhas givenrichesand wealthand honorso that his soullacksnothingof allthat he desires;yet Godhas not empoweredhim to eatfrom them, for a foreignerenjoysthem. Thisis vanityand a severeaffliction.
"For longagoI brokeyour yoke[And] toreoffyour bonds;But you said,'I will not serve!'For on everyhighhillAnd undereverygreentreeYou have laindownas a harlot.
