Ecclesiastes Chapter 1

א דִּבְרֵי קֹהֶלֶת בֶּן-דָּוִד, מֶלֶךְ בִּירוּשָׁלִָם.	1 The words of Koheleth, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
ב הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים אָמַר קֹהֶלֶת, הֲבֵל הֲבָלִים הַכֹּל הָבֶל.	2 Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
ג מַה-יִּתְרוֹן, לָאָדָם: בְּכָל-עֲמָלוֹ--שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	3 What profit hath man of all his labour wherein he laboureth under the sun?
ד דּוֹר הֹלֵךְ וְדוֹר בָּא, וְהָאָרֶץ לְעוֹלָם עֹמָדֶת.	4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; and the earth abideth for ever.
ה וְזָרַח הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, וּבָא הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; וְאֶל-מְקוֹמוֹ--שׁוֹאֵף זוֹרֵחַ הוּא, שָׁם.	5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he ariseth.
ו הוֹלֵךְ, אֶל-דָּרוֹם, וְסוֹבֵב, אֶל-צָפוֹן; סוֹבֵב סֹבֵב הוֹלֵךְ הָרוּחַ, וְעַל-סְבִיבֹתָיו שָׁב הָרוּחַ.	6 The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its circuit, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
ז כָּל-הַנְּחָלִים הֹלְכִים אֶל-הַיָּם, וְהַיָּם אֵינֶנּוּ מָלֵא; אֶל-מְקוֹם, שֶׁהַנְּחָלִים הֹלְכִים--שָׁם הֵם שָׁבִים, לָלָכֶת.	7 All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
ח כָּל-הַדְּבָרִים יְגֵעִים, לֹא-יוּכַל אִישׁ לְדַבֵּר; לֹא-תִשְׂבַּע עַיִן לִרְאוֹת, וְלֹא-תִמָּלֵא אֹזֶן מִשְּׁמֹעַ.	8 All things toil to weariness; man cannot utter it, the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
ט מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה, הוּא שֶׁיִּהְיֶה, וּמַה-שֶּׁנַּעֲשָׂה, הוּא שֶׁיֵּעָשֶׂה; וְאֵין כָּל-חָדָשׁ, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	9 That which hath been is that which shall be, and that which hath been done is that which shall be done; and there is nothing new under the sun.
י יֵשׁ דָּבָר שֶׁיֹּאמַר רְאֵה-זֶה, חָדָשׁ הוּא: כְּבָר הָיָה לְעֹלָמִים, אֲשֶׁר הָיָה מִלְּפָנֵנוּ.	10 Is there a thing whereof it is said: 'See, this is new'?--it hath been already, in the ages which were before us.
יא אֵין זִכְרוֹן, לָרִאשֹׁנִים; וְגַם לָאַחֲרֹנִים שֶׁיִּהְיוּ, לֹא-יִהְיֶה לָהֶם זִכָּרוֹן--עִם שֶׁיִּהְיוּ, לָאַחֲרֹנָה. {פ}	11 There is no remembrance of them of former times; neither shall there be any remembrance of them of latter times that are to come, among those that shall come after. {P}
יב אֲנִי קֹהֶלֶת, הָיִיתִי מֶלֶךְ עַל-יִשְׂרָאֵל--בִּירוּשָׁלִָם.	12 I Koheleth have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
יג וְנָתַתִּי אֶת-לִבִּי, לִדְרוֹשׁ וְלָתוּר בַּחָכְמָה, עַל כָּל-אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם; הוּא עִנְיַן רָע, נָתַן אֱלֹהִים לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם--לַעֲנוֹת בּוֹ.	13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven; it is a sore task that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
יד רָאִיתִי, אֶת-כָּל-הַמַּעֲשִׂים, שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
טו מְעֻוָּת, לֹא-יוּכַל לִתְקֹן; וְחֶסְרוֹן, לֹא-יוּכַל לְהִמָּנוֹת.	15 That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
טז דִּבַּרְתִּי אֲנִי עִם-לִבִּי, לֵאמֹר--אֲנִי הִנֵּה הִגְדַּלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי חָכְמָה, עַל כָּל-אֲשֶׁר-הָיָה לְפָנַי עַל-יְרוּשָׁלִָם; וְלִבִּי רָאָה הַרְבֵּה, חָכְמָה וָדָעַת.	16 I spoke with my own heart, saying: 'Lo, I have gotten great wisdom, more also than all that were before me over Jerusalem'; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
יז וָאֶתְּנָה לִבִּי לָדַעַת חָכְמָה, וְדַעַת הוֹלֵלֹת וְשִׂכְלוּת: יָדַעְתִּי, שֶׁגַּם-זֶה הוּא רַעְיוֹן רוּחַ.	17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly--I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
יח כִּי בְּרֹב חָכְמָה, רָב-כָּעַס; וְיוֹסִיף דַּעַת, יוֹסִיף מַכְאוֹב.	18 For in much wisdom is much vexation; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 2

א אָמַרְתִּי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי, לְכָה-נָּא אֲנַסְּכָה בְשִׂמְחָה וּרְאֵה בְטוֹב; וְהִנֵּה גַם-הוּא, הָבֶל.	1 I said in my heart: 'Come now, I will try thee with mirth, and enjoy pleasure'; and, behold, this also was vanity.
ב לִשְׂחוֹק, אָמַרְתִּי מְהוֹלָל; וּלְשִׂמְחָה, מַה-זֹּה עֹשָׂה.	2 I said of laughter: 'It is mad'; and of mirth: 'What doth it accomplish?'
ג תַּרְתִּי בְלִבִּי, לִמְשׁוֹךְ בַּיַּיִן אֶת-בְּשָׂרִי; וְלִבִּי נֹהֵג בַּחָכְמָה, וְלֶאֱחֹז בְּסִכְלוּת--עַד אֲשֶׁר-אֶרְאֶה אֵי-זֶה טוֹב לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשׂוּ תַּחַת הַשָּׁמַיִם, מִסְפַּר יְמֵי חַיֵּיהֶם.	3 I searched in my heart how to pamper my flesh with wine, and, my heart conducting itself with wisdom, how yet to lay hold on folly, till I might see which it was best for the sons of men that they should do under the heaven the few days of their life.
ד הִגְדַּלְתִּי, מַעֲשָׂי: בָּנִיתִי לִי בָּתִּים, נָטַעְתִּי לִי כְּרָמִים.	4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards;
ה עָשִׂיתִי לִי, גַּנּוֹת וּפַרְדֵּסִים; וְנָטַעְתִּי בָהֶם, עֵץ כָּל-פֶּרִי.	5 I made me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit;
ו עָשִׂיתִי לִי, בְּרֵכוֹת מָיִם--לְהַשְׁקוֹת מֵהֶם, יַעַר צוֹמֵחַ עֵצִים.	6 I made me pools of water, to water therefrom the wood springing up with trees;
ז קָנִיתִי עֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחוֹת, וּבְנֵי-בַיִת הָיָה לִי; גַּם מִקְנֶה בָקָר וָצֹאן הַרְבֵּה הָיָה לִי, מִכֹּל שֶׁהָיוּ לְפָנַי בִּירוּשָׁלִָם.	7 I acquired men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;
ח כָּנַסְתִּי לִי גַּם-כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב, וּסְגֻלַּת מְלָכִים וְהַמְּדִינוֹת; עָשִׂיתִי לִי שָׁרִים וְשָׁרוֹת, וְתַעֲנֻגוֹת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם--שִׁדָּה וְשִׁדּוֹת.	8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and treasure such as kings and the provinces have as their own; I got me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, women very many.
ט וְגָדַלְתִּי וְהוֹסַפְתִּי, מִכֹּל שֶׁהָיָה לְפָנַי בִּירוּשָׁלִָם; אַף חָכְמָתִי, עָמְדָה לִּי.	9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom stood me in stead.
י וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר שָׁאֲלוּ עֵינַי, לֹא אָצַלְתִּי מֵהֶם: לֹא-מָנַעְתִּי אֶת-לִבִּי מִכָּל-שִׂמְחָה, כִּי-לִבִּי שָׂמֵחַ מִכָּל-עֲמָלִי, וְזֶה-הָיָה חֶלְקִי, מִכָּל-עֲמָלִי.	10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart had joy of all my labour; and this was my portion from all my labour.
יא וּפָנִיתִי אֲנִי, בְּכָל-מַעֲשַׂי שֶׁעָשׂוּ יָדַי, וּבֶעָמָל, שֶׁעָמַלְתִּי לַעֲשׂוֹת; וְהִנֵּה הַכֹּל הֶבֶל וּרְעוּת רוּחַ, וְאֵין יִתְרוֹן תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
יב וּפָנִיתִי אֲנִי לִרְאוֹת חָכְמָה, וְהוֹלֵלוֹת וְסִכְלוּת: כִּי מֶה הָאָדָם, שֶׁיָּבוֹא אַחֲרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, אֵת אֲשֶׁר-כְּבָר, עָשׂוּהוּ.	12 And I turned myself to behold wisdom, and madness and folly; for what can the man do that cometh after the king? even that which hath been already done.
יג וְרָאִיתִי אָנִי, שֶׁיֵּשׁ יִתְרוֹן לַחָכְמָה מִן-הַסִּכְלוּת--כִּיתְרוֹן הָאוֹר, מִן-הַחֹשֶׁךְ.	13 Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness.
יד הֶחָכָם עֵינָיו בְּרֹאשׁוֹ, וְהַכְּסִיל בַּחֹשֶׁךְ הוֹלֵךְ; וְיָדַעְתִּי גַם-אָנִי, שֶׁמִּקְרֶה אֶחָד יִקְרֶה אֶת-כֻּלָּם.	14 The wise man, his eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness. And I also perceived that one event happeneth to them all.
טו וְאָמַרְתִּי אֲנִי בְּלִבִּי, כְּמִקְרֵה הַכְּסִיל גַּם-אֲנִי יִקְרֵנִי, וְלָמָּה חָכַמְתִּי אֲנִי, אָז יֹתֵר; וְדִבַּרְתִּי בְלִבִּי, שֶׁגַּם-זֶה הָבֶל.	15 Then said I in my heart: 'As it happeneth to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?' Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
טז כִּי אֵין זִכְרוֹן לֶחָכָם עִם-הַכְּסִיל, לְעוֹלָם: בְּשֶׁכְּבָר הַיָּמִים הַבָּאִים, הַכֹּל נִשְׁכָּח, וְאֵיךְ יָמוּת הֶחָכָם, עִם-הַכְּסִיל.	16 For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no remembrance for ever; seeing that in the days to come all will long ago have been forgotten. And how must the wise man die even as the fool!
יז וְשָׂנֵאתִי, אֶת-הַחַיִּים--כִּי רַע עָלַי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ: כִּי-הַכֹּל הֶבֶל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	17 So I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
יח וְשָׂנֵאתִי אֲנִי אֶת-כָּל-עֲמָלִי, שֶׁאֲנִי עָמֵל תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ: שֶׁאַנִּיחֶנּוּ, לָאָדָם שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָי.	18 And I hated all my labour wherein I laboured under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.
יט וּמִי יוֹדֵעַ, הֶחָכָם יִהְיֶה אוֹ סָכָל, וְיִשְׁלַט בְּכָל-עֲמָלִי, שֶׁעָמַלְתִּי וְשֶׁחָכַמְתִּי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; גַּם-זֶה, הָבֶל.	19 And who knoweth whether he will be a wise man or a fool? yet will he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.
כ וְסַבּוֹתִי אֲנִי, לְיַאֵשׁ אֶת-לִבִּי--עַל, כָּל-הֶעָמָל, שֶׁעָמַלְתִּי, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	20 Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour wherein I had laboured under the sun.
כא כִּי-יֵשׁ אָדָם, שֶׁעֲמָלוֹ בְּחָכְמָה וּבְדַעַת--וּבְכִשְׁרוֹן; וּלְאָדָם שֶׁלֹּא עָמַל-בּוֹ, יִתְּנֶנּוּ חֶלְקוֹ--גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל, וְרָעָה רַבָּה.	21 For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skill; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
כב כִּי מֶה-הֹוֶה לָאָדָם, בְּכָל-עֲמָלוֹ, וּבְרַעְיוֹן, לִבּוֹ--שֶׁהוּא עָמֵל, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	22 For what hath a man of all his labour, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboureth under the sun?
כג כִּי כָל-יָמָיו מַכְאֹבִים, וָכַעַס עִנְיָנוֹ--גַּם-בַּלַּיְלָה, לֹא-שָׁכַב לִבּוֹ; גַּם-זֶה, הֶבֶל הוּא.	23 For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.
כד אֵין-טוֹב בָּאָדָם שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְשָׁתָה, וְהֶרְאָה אֶת-נַפְשׁוֹ טוֹב בַּעֲמָלוֹ; גַּם-זֹה רָאִיתִי אָנִי, כִּי מִיַּד הָאֱלֹהִים הִיא.	24 There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy pleasure for his labour. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.
כה כִּי מִי יֹאכַל וּמִי יָחוּשׁ, חוּץ מִמֶּנִּי.	25 For who will eat, or who will enjoy, if not I?
כו כִּי לְאָדָם שֶׁטּוֹב לְפָנָיו, נָתַן חָכְמָה וְדַעַת וְשִׂמְחָה; וְלַחוֹטֶא נָתַן עִנְיָן לֶאֱסֹף וְלִכְנוֹס, לָתֵת לְטוֹב לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים--גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	26 For to the man that is good in His sight He giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He giveth the task, to gather and to heap up, that he may leave to him that is good in the sight of God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

א לַכֹּל, זְמָן; וְעֵת לְכָל-חֵפֶץ, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם. {פ}	1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: {P}
ב עֵת לָלֶדֶת, וְעֵת לָמוּת; עֵת לָטַעַת, וְעֵת לַעֲקוֹר נָטוּעַ.	2 {S} A time to be born, {S} and a time to die; {N} {S} a time to plant, {S} and a time to pluck up that which is planted; {N}
ג עֵת לַהֲרוֹג וְעֵת לִרְפּוֹא, עֵת לִפְרוֹץ וְעֵת לִבְנוֹת.	3 {S} A time to kill, {S} and a time to heal; {N} {S} a time to break down, {S} and a time to build up; {N}
ד עֵת לִבְכּוֹת וְעֵת לִשְׂחוֹק, עֵת סְפוֹד וְעֵת רְקוֹד.	4 {S} A time to weep, {S} and a time to laugh; {N} {S} a time to mourn, {S} and a time to dance; {N}
ה עֵת לְהַשְׁלִיךְ אֲבָנִים, וְעֵת כְּנוֹס אֲבָנִים; עֵת לַחֲבוֹק, וְעֵת לִרְחֹק מֵחַבֵּק.	5 {S} A time to cast away stones, {S} and a time to gather stones together; {N} {S} a time to embrace, {S} and a time to refrain from embracing; {N}
ו עֵת לְבַקֵּשׁ וְעֵת לְאַבֵּד, עֵת לִשְׁמוֹר וְעֵת לְהַשְׁלִיךְ.	6 {S} A time to seek, {S} and a time to lose; {N} {S} a time to keep, {S} and a time to cast away; {N}
ז עֵת לִקְרוֹעַ וְעֵת לִתְפּוֹר, עֵת לַחֲשׁוֹת וְעֵת לְדַבֵּר.	7 {S} A time to rend, {S} and a time to sew; {N} {S} a time to keep silence, {S} and a time to speak; {N}
ח עֵת לֶאֱהֹב וְעֵת לִשְׂנֹא, עֵת מִלְחָמָה וְעֵת שָׁלוֹם. {פ}	8 {S} A time to love, {S} and a time to hate; {N} {S} a time for war, {S} and a time for peace. {N}
ט מַה-יִּתְרוֹן, הָעוֹשֶׂה, בַּאֲשֶׁר, הוּא עָמֵל.	9 {S} What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth?
י רָאִיתִי אֶת-הָעִנְיָן, אֲשֶׁר נָתַן אֱלֹהִים לִבְנֵי הָאָדָם--לַעֲנוֹת בּוֹ.	10 I have seen the task which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
יא אֶת-הַכֹּל עָשָׂה, יָפֶה בְעִתּוֹ; גַּם אֶת-הָעֹלָם, נָתַן בְּלִבָּם--מִבְּלִי אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יִמְצָא הָאָדָם אֶת-הַמַּעֲשֶׂה אֲשֶׁר-עָשָׂה הָאֱלֹהִים, מֵרֹאשׁ וְעַד-סוֹף.	11 He hath made every thing beautiful in its time; also He hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.
יב יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי אֵין טוֹב בָּם--כִּי אִם-לִשְׂמוֹחַ, וְלַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹב בְּחַיָּיו.	12 I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.
יג וְגַם כָּל-הָאָדָם שֶׁיֹּאכַל וְשָׁתָה, וְרָאָה טוֹב בְּכָל-עֲמָלוֹ--מַתַּת אֱלֹהִים, הִיא.	13 But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.
יד יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי כָּל-אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה הָאֱלֹהִים הוּא יִהְיֶה לְעוֹלָם--עָלָיו אֵין לְהוֹסִיף, וּמִמֶּנּוּ אֵין לִגְרֹעַ; וְהָאֱלֹהִים עָשָׂה, שֶׁיִּרְאוּ מִלְּפָנָיו.	14 I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God hath so made it, that men should fear before Him.
טו מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה כְּבָר הוּא, וַאֲשֶׁר לִהְיוֹת כְּבָר הָיָה; וְהָאֱלֹהִים, יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת-נִרְדָּף.	15 That which is hath been long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God seeketh that which is pursued.
טז וְעוֹד רָאִיתִי, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ: מְקוֹם הַמִּשְׁפָּט שָׁמָּה הָרֶשַׁע, וּמְקוֹם הַצֶּדֶק שָׁמָּה הָרָשַׁע.	16 And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
יז אָמַרְתִּי אֲנִי, בְּלִבִּי--אֶת-הַצַּדִּיק וְאֶת-הָרָשָׁע, יִשְׁפֹּט הָאֱלֹהִים: כִּי-עֵת לְכָל-חֵפֶץ, וְעַל כָּל-הַמַּעֲשֶׂה שָׁם.	17 I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.'
יח אָמַרְתִּי אֲנִי, בְּלִבִּי--עַל-דִּבְרַת בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, לְבָרָם הָאֱלֹהִים; וְלִרְאוֹת, שְׁהֶם-בְּהֵמָה הֵמָּה לָהֶם.	18 I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.'
יט כִּי מִקְרֶה בְנֵי-הָאָדָם וּמִקְרֶה הַבְּהֵמָה, וּמִקְרֶה אֶחָד לָהֶם--כְּמוֹת זֶה כֵּן מוֹת זֶה, וְרוּחַ אֶחָד לַכֹּל; וּמוֹתַר הָאָדָם מִן-הַבְּהֵמָה אָיִן, כִּי הַכֹּל הָבֶל.	19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.
כ הַכֹּל הוֹלֵךְ, אֶל-מָקוֹם אֶחָד; הַכֹּל הָיָה מִן-הֶעָפָר, וְהַכֹּל שָׁב אֶל-הֶעָפָר.	20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.
כא מִי יוֹדֵעַ, רוּחַ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם--הָעֹלָה הִיא, לְמָעְלָה; וְרוּחַ, הַבְּהֵמָה--הַיֹּרֶדֶת הִיא, לְמַטָּה לָאָרֶץ.	21 Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth downward to the earth?
כב וְרָאִיתִי, כִּי אֵין טוֹב מֵאֲשֶׁר יִשְׂמַח הָאָדָם בְּמַעֲשָׂיו--כִּי-הוּא, חֶלְקוֹ: כִּי מִי יְבִיאֶנּוּ לִרְאוֹת, בְּמֶה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָיו.	22 Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Ecclesiastes Chapter 4

א וְשַׁבְתִּי אֲנִי, וָאֶרְאֶה אֶת-כָּל-הָעֲשֻׁקִים, אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשִׂים, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; וְהִנֵּה דִּמְעַת הָעֲשֻׁקִים, וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם, וּמִיַּד עֹשְׁקֵיהֶם כֹּחַ, וְאֵין לָהֶם מְנַחֵם.	1 But I returned and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun; and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power, but they had no comforter.
ב וְשַׁבֵּחַ אֲנִי אֶת-הַמֵּתִים, שֶׁכְּבָר מֵתוּ--מִן-הַחַיִּים, אֲשֶׁר הֵמָּה חַיִּים עֲדֶנָה.	2 Wherefore I praised the dead that are already dead more than the living that are yet alive;
ג וְטוֹב, מִשְּׁנֵיהֶם--אֵת אֲשֶׁר-עֲדֶן, לֹא הָיָה: אֲשֶׁר לֹא-רָאָה אֶת-הַמַּעֲשֶׂה הָרָע, אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	3 but better than they both is he that hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
ד וְרָאִיתִי אֲנִי אֶת-כָּל-עָמָל, וְאֵת כָּל-כִּשְׁרוֹן הַמַּעֲשֶׂה--כִּי הִיא קִנְאַת-אִישׁ, מֵרֵעֵהוּ; גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	4 Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
ה הַכְּסִיל חֹבֵק אֶת-יָדָיו, וְאֹכֵל אֶת-בְּשָׂרוֹ.	5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
ו טוֹב, מְלֹא כַף נָחַת--מִמְּלֹא חָפְנַיִם עָמָל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	6 Better is a handful of quietness, than both the hands full of labour and striving after wind.
ז וְשַׁבְתִּי אֲנִי וָאֶרְאֶה הֶבֶל, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	7 Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
ח יֵשׁ אֶחָד וְאֵין שֵׁנִי גַּם בֵּן וָאָח אֵין-לוֹ, וְאֵין קֵץ לְכָל-עֲמָלוֹ--גַּם-עיניו (עֵינוֹ), לֹא-תִשְׂבַּע עֹשֶׁר; וּלְמִי אֲנִי עָמֵל, וּמְחַסֵּר אֶת-נַפְשִׁי מִטּוֹבָה--גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל וְעִנְיַן רָע, הוּא.	8 There is one that is alone, and he hath not a second; yea, he hath neither son nor brother; yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches: 'for whom then do I labour, and bereave my soul of pleasure?' This also is vanity, yea, it is a grievous business.
ט טוֹבִים הַשְּׁנַיִם, מִן-הָאֶחָד: אֲשֶׁר יֵשׁ-לָהֶם שָׂכָר טוֹב, בַּעֲמָלָם.	9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
י כִּי אִם-יִפֹּלוּ, הָאֶחָד יָקִים אֶת-חֲבֵרוֹ; וְאִילוֹ, הָאֶחָד שֶׁיִּפּוֹל, וְאֵין שֵׁנִי, לַהֲקִימוֹ.	10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up.
יא גַּם אִם-יִשְׁכְּבוּ שְׁנַיִם, וְחַם לָהֶם; וּלְאֶחָד, אֵיךְ יֵחָם.	11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
יב וְאִם-יִתְקְפוֹ, הָאֶחָד--הַשְּׁנַיִם, יַעַמְדוּ נֶגְדּוֹ; וְהַחוּט, הַמְשֻׁלָּשׁ, לֹא בִמְהֵרָה, יִנָּתֵק.	12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
יג טוֹב יֶלֶד מִסְכֵּן, וְחָכָם--מִמֶּלֶךְ זָקֵן וּכְסִיל, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-יָדַע לְהִזָּהֵר עוֹד.	13 Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
יד כִּי-מִבֵּית הָסוּרִים, יָצָא לִמְלֹךְ: כִּי גַּם בְּמַלְכוּתוֹ, נוֹלַד רָשׁ.	14 For out of prison he came forth to be king; although in his kingdom he was born poor.
טו רָאִיתִי, אֶת-כָּל-הַחַיִּים, הַמְהַלְּכִים, תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ--עִם הַיֶּלֶד הַשֵּׁנִי, אֲשֶׁר יַעֲמֹד תַּחְתָּיו.	15 I saw all the living that walk under the sun, that they were with the child, the second, that was to stand up in his stead.
טז אֵין-קֵץ לְכָל-הָעָם, לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר-הָיָה לִפְנֵיהֶם--גַּם הָאַחֲרוֹנִים, לֹא יִשְׂמְחוּ-בוֹ: כִּי-גַם-זֶה הֶבֶל, וְרַעְיוֹן רוּחַ.	16 There was no end of all the people, even of all them whom he did lead; yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
יז שְׁמֹר רגליך (רַגְלְךָ), כַּאֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵךְ אֶל-בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, וְקָרוֹב לִשְׁמֹעַ, מִתֵּת הַכְּסִילִים זָבַח: כִּי-אֵינָם יוֹדְעִים, לַעֲשׂוֹת רָע.	17 Guard thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be ready to hearken: it is better than when fools give sacrifices; for they know not that they do evil.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 5

א אַל-תְּבַהֵל עַל-פִּיךָ וְלִבְּךָ אַל-יְמַהֵר, לְהוֹצִיא דָבָר--לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים: כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם וְאַתָּה עַל-הָאָרֶץ, עַל-כֵּן יִהְיוּ דְבָרֶיךָ מְעַטִּים.	1 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.
ב כִּי בָּא הַחֲלוֹם, בְּרֹב עִנְיָן; וְקוֹל כְּסִיל, בְּרֹב דְּבָרִים.	2 For a dream cometh through a multitude of business; and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.
ג כַּאֲשֶׁר תִּדֹּר נֶדֶר לֵאלֹהִים, אַל-תְּאַחֵר לְשַׁלְּמוֹ--כִּי אֵין חֵפֶץ, בַּכְּסִילִים: אֵת אֲשֶׁר-תִּדֹּר, שַׁלֵּם.	3 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou vowest.
ד טוֹב, אֲשֶׁר לֹא-תִדֹּר--מִשֶּׁתִּדּוֹר, וְלֹא תְשַׁלֵּם.	4 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
ה אַל-תִּתֵּן אֶת-פִּיךָ, לַחֲטִיא אֶת-בְּשָׂרֶךָ, וְאַל-תֹּאמַר לִפְנֵי הַמַּלְאָךְ, כִּי שְׁגָגָה הִיא: לָמָּה יִקְצֹף הָאֱלֹהִים עַל-קוֹלֶךָ, וְחִבֵּל אֶת-מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ.	5 Suffer not thy mouth to bring thy flesh into guilt, neither say thou before the messenger, that it was an error; wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
ו כִּי בְרֹב חֲלֹמוֹת וַהֲבָלִים, וּדְבָרִים הַרְבֵּה: כִּי אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים, יְרָא.	6 For through the multitude of dreams and vanities there are also many words; but fear thou God.
ז אִם-עֹשֶׁק רָשׁ וְגֵזֶל מִשְׁפָּט וָצֶדֶק, תִּרְאֶה בַמְּדִינָה--אַל-תִּתְמַהּ, עַל-הַחֵפֶץ: כִּי גָבֹהַּ מֵעַל גָּבֹהַּ, שֹׁמֵר, וּגְבֹהִים, עֲלֵיהֶם.	7 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they.
ח וְיִתְרוֹן אֶרֶץ, בַּכֹּל היא (הוּא)--מֶלֶךְ לְשָׂדֶה, נֶעֱבָד.	8 But the profit of a land every way is a king that maketh himself servant to the field.
ט אֹהֵב כֶּסֶף לֹא-יִשְׂבַּע כֶּסֶף, וּמִי-אֹהֵב בֶּהָמוֹן לֹא תְבוּאָה; גַּם-זֶה, הָבֶל.	9 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity.
י בִּרְבוֹת, הַטּוֹבָה, רַבּוּ, אוֹכְלֶיהָ; וּמַה-כִּשְׁרוֹן, לִבְעָלֶיהָ, כִּי, אִם-ראית (רְאוּת) עֵינָיו.	10 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, saving the beholding of them with his eyes?
יא מְתוּקָה שְׁנַת הָעֹבֵד, אִם-מְעַט וְאִם-הַרְבֵּה יֹאכֵל; וְהַשָּׂבָע, לֶעָשִׁיר--אֵינֶנּוּ מַנִּיחַ לוֹ, לִישׁוֹן.	11 Sweet is the sleep of a labouring man, whether he eat little or much; but the satiety of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
יב יֵשׁ רָעָה חוֹלָה, רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ: עֹשֶׁר שָׁמוּר לִבְעָלָיו, לְרָעָתוֹ.	12 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt;
יג וְאָבַד הָעֹשֶׁר הַהוּא, בְּעִנְיַן רָע; וְהוֹלִיד בֵּן, וְאֵין בְּיָדוֹ מְאוּמָה.	13 and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
יד כַּאֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִבֶּטֶן אִמּוֹ, עָרוֹם יָשׁוּב לָלֶכֶת כְּשֶׁבָּא; וּמְאוּמָה לֹא-יִשָּׂא בַעֲמָלוֹ, שֶׁיֹּלֵךְ בְּיָדוֹ.	14 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he go back as he came, and shall take nothing for his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
טו וְגַם-זֹה רָעָה חוֹלָה, כָּל-עֻמַּת שֶׁבָּא כֵּן יֵלֵךְ; וּמַה-יִּתְרוֹן לוֹ, שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל לָרוּחַ.	15 And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what profit hath he that he laboureth for the wind?
טז גַּם כָּל-יָמָיו, בַּחֹשֶׁךְ יֹאכֵל; וְכָעַס הַרְבֵּה, וְחָלְיוֹ וָקָצֶף.	16 All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much vexation and sickness and wrath.
יז הִנֵּה אֲשֶׁר-רָאִיתִי אָנִי, טוֹב אֲשֶׁר-יָפֶה לֶאֱכוֹל-וְלִשְׁתּוֹת וְלִרְאוֹת טוֹבָה בְּכָל-עֲמָלוֹ שֶׁיַּעֲמֹל תַּחַת-הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִסְפַּר יְמֵי-חַיָּו אֲשֶׁר-נָתַן-לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים--כִּי-הוּא חֶלְקוֹ.	17 Behold that which I have seen: it is good, yea, it is comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy pleasure for all his labour, wherein he laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him; for this is his portion.
יח גַּם כָּל-הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן-לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׁר וּנְכָסִים וְהִשְׁלִיטוֹ לֶאֱכֹל מִמֶּנּוּ, וְלָשֵׂאת אֶת-חֶלְקוֹ, וְלִשְׂמֹחַ, בַּעֲמָלוֹ--זֹה, מַתַּת אֱלֹהִים הִיא.	18 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour--this is the gift of God.
יט כִּי לֹא הַרְבֵּה, יִזְכֹּר אֶת-יְמֵי חַיָּיו: כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים מַעֲנֶה, בְּשִׂמְחַת לִבּוֹ.	19 For let him remember the days of his life that they are not many; for God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 6

א יֵשׁ רָעָה, אֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ; וְרַבָּה הִיא, עַל-הָאָדָם.	1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:
ב אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִתֶּן-לוֹ הָאֱלֹהִים עֹשֶׁר וּנְכָסִים וְכָבוֹד וְאֵינֶנּוּ חָסֵר לְנַפְשׁוֹ מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר-יִתְאַוֶּה, וְלֹא-יַשְׁלִיטֶנּוּ הָאֱלֹהִים לֶאֱכֹל מִמֶּנּוּ--כִּי אִישׁ נָכְרִי, יֹאכְלֶנּוּ: זֶה הֶבֶל וָחֳלִי רָע, הוּא.	2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
ג אִם-יוֹלִיד אִישׁ מֵאָה וְשָׁנִים רַבּוֹת יִחְיֶה וְרַב שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יְמֵי-שָׁנָיו, וְנַפְשׁוֹ לֹא-תִשְׂבַּע מִן-הַטּוֹבָה, וְגַם-קְבוּרָה, לֹא-הָיְתָה לּוֹ--אָמַרְתִּי, טוֹב מִמֶּנּוּ הַנָּפֶל.	3 If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he;
ד כִּי-בַהֶבֶל בָּא, וּבַחֹשֶׁךְ יֵלֵךְ; וּבַחֹשֶׁךְ, שְׁמוֹ יְכֻסֶּה.	4 for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;
ה גַּם-שֶׁמֶשׁ לֹא-רָאָה, וְלֹא יָדָע; נַחַת לָזֶה, מִזֶּה.	5 moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other;
ו וְאִלּוּ חָיָה, אֶלֶף שָׁנִים פַּעֲמַיִם, וְטוֹבָה, לֹא רָאָה--הֲלֹא אֶל-מָקוֹם אֶחָד, הַכֹּל הוֹלֵךְ.	6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?
ז כָּל-עֲמַל הָאָדָם, לְפִיהוּ; וְגַם-הַנֶּפֶשׁ, לֹא תִמָּלֵא.	7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
ח כִּי מַה-יּוֹתֵר לֶחָכָם, מִן-הַכְּסִיל; מַה-לֶּעָנִי יוֹדֵעַ, לַהֲלֹךְ נֶגֶד הַחַיִּים.	8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living?
ט טוֹב מַרְאֵה עֵינַיִם, מֵהֲלָךְ-נָפֶשׁ; גַּם-זֶה הֶבֶל, וּרְעוּת רוּחַ.	9 Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
י מַה-שֶּׁהָיָה, כְּבָר נִקְרָא שְׁמוֹ, וְנוֹדָע, אֲשֶׁר-הוּא אָדָם; וְלֹא-יוּכַל לָדִין, עִם שֶׁתַּקִּיף מִמֶּנּוּ.	10 Whatsoever cometh into being, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is foreknown what man is; neither can he contend with Him that is mightier than he.
יא כִּי יֵשׁ-דְּבָרִים הַרְבֵּה, מַרְבִּים הָבֶל; מַה-יֹּתֵר, לָאָדָם.	11 Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?
יב כִּי מִי-יוֹדֵעַ מַה-טּוֹב לָאָדָם בַּחַיִּים, מִסְפַּר יְמֵי-חַיֵּי הֶבְלוֹ--וְיַעֲשֵׂם כַּצֵּל: אֲשֶׁר מִי-יַגִּיד לָאָדָם, מַה-יִּהְיֶה אַחֲרָיו תַּחַת הַשָּׁמֶשׁ.	12 For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes Chapter 7

א טוֹב שֵׁם, מִשֶּׁמֶן טוֹב; וְיוֹם הַמָּוֶת, מִיּוֹם הִוָּלְדוֹ.	1 A good name is better than precious oil; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
ב טוֹב לָלֶכֶת אֶל-בֵּית-אֵבֶל, מִלֶּכֶת אֶל-בֵּית מִשְׁתֶּה--בַּאֲשֶׁר, הוּא סוֹף כָּל-הָאָדָם; וְהַחַי, יִתֵּן אֶל-לִבּוֹ.	2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting; for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay it to his heart.
ג טוֹב כַּעַס, מִשְּׂחוֹק: כִּי-בְרֹעַ פָּנִים, יִיטַב לֵב.	3 Vexation is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart may be gladdened.
ד לֵב חֲכָמִים בְּבֵית אֵבֶל, וְלֵב כְּסִילִים בְּבֵית שִׂמְחָה.	4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
ה טוֹב, לִשְׁמֹעַ גַּעֲרַת חָכָם--מֵאִישׁ, ש