Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 NCV

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 NCV [1] Be careful when you go to worship at the Temple. It is better to listen than to offer foolish sacrifices without even knowing you are doing wrong. [2] Think before you speak, and be careful about what you say to God. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth, so say only a few words to God. [3] The saying is true: Bad dreams come from too much worrying, and too many words come from foolish people. [4] If you make a promise to God, don't be slow to keep it. God is not happy with fools, so give God what you promised. [5] It is better not to promise anything than to promise something and not do it. [6] Don't let your words cause you to sin, and don't say to the priest at the Temple, "I didn't mean what I promised." If you do, God will become angry with your words and will destroy everything you have worked for. [7] Many useless promises are like so many dreams; they mean nothing. You should respect God. [8] In some places you will see poor people mistreated. Don't be surprised when they are not treated fairly or given their rights. One officer is cheated by a higher officer who in turn is cheated by even higher officers. [9] The wealth of the country is divided up among them all. Even the king makes sure he gets his share of the profits. [10] Whoever loves money will never have enough money; Whoever loves wealth will not be satisfied with it. This is also useless. [11] The more wealth people have, the more friends they have to help spend it. So what do people really gain? They gain nothing except to look at their riches. [12] Those who work hard sleep in peace; it is not important if they eat little or much. But rich people worry about their wealth and cannot sleep. [13] I have seen real misery here on earth: Money saved is a curse to its owners. [14] They lose it all in a bad deal and have nothing to give to their children. [15] People come into this world with nothing, and when they die they leave with nothing. In spite of all their hard work, they leave just as they came. [16] This, too, is real misery: They leave just as they came. So what do they gain from chasing the wind? [17] All they get are days full of sadness and sorrow, and they end up sick, defeated, and angry. [18] I have seen what is best for people here on earth. They should eat and drink and enjoy their work, because the life God has given them on earth is short. [19] God gives some people the ability to enjoy the wealth and property he gives them, as well as the ability to accept their state in life and enjoy their work. [20] They do not worry about how short life is, because God keeps them busy with what they love to do.

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