עִנְיָן

I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. “For whom then, do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment?” This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business.

For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.

Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (even though eyes see no sleep day or night),