Ecclesiastes 5

1Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.

2Do not be quick with your mouth, and do not let your heart hurry to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth; so let your words be few.

3For a dream comes with much busyness, and a fool’s voice with many words.

4When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, for he takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow.

5It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfill it.

6Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger, “It was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

7For when dreams multiply, so do futile things and many words. Rather, fear God.

8If you see the poor oppressed and justice and righteousness violated in a province, do not be amazed at the matter; for one high official is watched by one higher, and there are higher ones over them.

9But the advantage to a land in all this is a king devoted to the cultivated field.

10Whoever loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

11When goods increase, so do those who consume them; and what benefit are they to their owner, except to look at them with his eyes?

12Sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the plenty of the rich will not let them sleep.

13There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: riches hoarded by their owner to his harm.

14Then those riches are lost through some bad venture, and when he has fathered a son, there is nothing left in his hand.

15As he came from his mother’s womb, so he will return, naked, going as he came; he will take nothing for his toil that he can carry away in his hand.

16This too is a grievous evil: exactly as he came, so he will go. And what does he gain, since he toils for the wind?

17Besides, all his days he eats in darkness, with much vexation, sickness, and anger.

18Look, this is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting for people to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil at which they toil under the sun during the few days of life that God has given them, for that is their share.

19Also, when God gives anyone riches and possessions, and enables them to enjoy them, to accept their share, and to rejoice in their toil—this is the gift of God.

20For they will not dwell much on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.