God’s Sovereignty

1In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them. 2Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice.

As it is with the good person,

so also it is with the sinner;

as it is with someone who takes an oath,

so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.

The Universality of Death

3There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead. 4“While someone is among the living, hope remains,” because “it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion.”a

5At least the living know they will die,

but the dead know nothing;

they no longer have a reward,

since memory about them has been forgotten.

6Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy

have been long lost.

Never again will they have a part

in what happens on earth.

The Fine Art of Enjoying Life

7Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions. 8Always keep your garments white, and don’t fail to anoint your head. 9Find joy in living with your wife whom you love every day of your pointless life that Godb gave you on earth, because this is your life assignment and your work to do on earth. 10Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next worldc where you’re going.

11I considered and observed on earth the following:

The race doesn’t go to the swift,

nor the battle to the strong,

nor food to the wise,

nor wealth to the smart,

nor recognition to the skilled.

Instead, timing and circumstances meet them all.

12In addition, no human being knows his time:

Like fish captured in a cruel net,

or as birds caught in a snare,

so also are human beings caught by bad timing

that surprises them.

Wisdom Surpasses Foolishness

13I also observed this example ofd wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me: 14There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it. 15Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.

16So I concluded,e “Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard.”

17The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard

rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

18Wisdom is better than weapons of war,

and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.