Catholic Public Domain Version
"All the days of his life he consumes: in darkness, and with many worries, and in distress as well as sadness. "
— Ecclesiastes 5:16, Catholic Public Domain Version
“And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?”
“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 laboreth for the wind? ”
“This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?”
“This is another misfortune: Just as he came, so will he go. What did he gain from toiling for the wind?”
“All the days of his life he eateth in darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, and sorrow.”
“And this again is a great evil, that in all points as he came so will he go; and what profit has he in working for the wind?”
“And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?”
For they are lost in a most grievous affliction. He has produced a son, who will be in the utmost destitution.
Just as he went forth naked from his mother’s womb, so shall he return, and he shall take nothing with him from his labors.
It is an utterly miserable infirmity that, in the same manner as he has arrived, so shall he return. How then does it benefit him, since he has labored for the wind?
All the days of his life he consumes: in darkness, and with many worries, and in distress as well as sadness.
And so, this has seemed good to me: that a person should eat and drink, and should enjoy the fruits of his labor, in which he has toiled under the sun, for the number of the days of his life that God has given him. For this is his portion.
And this is a gift from God: that every man to whom God has given wealth and resources, and to whom he has granted the ability to consume these, may enjoy his portion, and may find joy in his labors.
And then he will not fully remember the days of his life, because God occupies his heart with delights.