Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

[8] If thou seest  the oppression  of the poor,  and violent  perverting of judgment  and justice  in a province,  marvel  not at the matter:  for he that is higher  regardeth;  and there be higher  than they.  [9] Moreover the profit  of the earth  is for all: the king  himself is served  by the field.  [10] He that loveth  silver  shall not be satisfied  with silver;  nor he that loveth  abundance  with increase:  this is also vanity.  [11] When goods  increase,  that eat  them: and what good  is there to the owners  thereof, saving  of them with their eyes?  [12] The sleep  of a labouring man  is sweet,  whether he eat  little  or much:  but the abundance  of the rich  will not suffer  him to sleep.  [13] There is  a sore  evil  which I have seen  under the sun,  namely, riches  kept  for the owners  thereof to their hurt.  [14] But those riches  perish  by evil  travail:  and he begetteth  a son,  and there is nothing  in his hand.  [15] As he came forth  of his mother's  womb,  naked  shall he return  as he came,  and shall take  nothing  of his labour,  in his hand.  [16] And this  also is a sore  evil,  that in all points  as he came,  and what profit  hath he that hath laboured  for the wind?  [17] All his days  also he eateth  in darkness,  and he hath much  and wrath  with his sickness.  [18] Behold that which I have seen:  it is good  and comely  for one to eat  and to drink,  and to enjoy  the good  of all his labour  that he taketh  under the sun  all  the days  of his life,  which God  giveth  him: for it is his portion.  [19] 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.  [20] For he shall not much  remember  the days  of his life;  because God  answereth  him in the joy  of his heart.