Ecclesiastes 5

1Do not be hasty to speak, and do not let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

2For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice through many words.

3When you make a vow to God, do not delay in paying it, for he takes no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow.

4It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.

5Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not say before the messenger, “It was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

6For in an abundance of dreams, vanities, and many words—but fear God.

7If you see the oppression of the poor and the robbery of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished at the matter; for one high official watches over another, and higher ones are over them.

8The land’s profit is for everyone; even a king is served by the field.

9Whoever loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, and whoever loves abundance will not be satisfied with income; this too is vapor.

10When goods increase, those who consume them increase; and what advantage do their owners have except to look at them with their eyes?

11Sweet is the sleep of the worker, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man does not let him sleep.

12There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its owner to his harm.

13And that wealth was lost through a harmful affair, and he fathered a son but had nothing in his hand.

14As he came from his mother’s womb, naked he will return, going as he came; and he will carry away nothing from his labor that he can take in his hand.

15This too is a grievous evil: exactly as he came, so he will go. And what profit is there for him who toils for the wind?

16Also, all his days he eats in darkness, with much vexation, sickness, and anger.

17Here is what I myself have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink and to enjoy good in all the labor at which he labors under the sun for as many days of life as God has given him, for this is his portion.

18Also, every man to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and has enabled him to eat from them, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

19For he will not dwell much on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.