Draw Near to Listen
5 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Come to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not even know that they are doing wrong. 2 Don't be hasty with your words, and don't let your heart rush to say something before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth, so keep your words few. 3 For a dream comes from too much activity, and a fool's voice from too many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, for he takes no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your words and destroy the work of your hands? a a v6 The messenger is the temple official or priest who received and recorded vows on God's behalf. 7 For in many dreams and many words there is fleeting vapor. Therefore fear God.
Oppression and the Profit of the Land
8 If you see the poor oppressed and justice and righteousness violated in a province, don't be surprised by it; for one official is watched by a higher one, and over them are higher officials still. 9 Yet the profit of the land is for everyone; even the king is served by the field.
10 Whoever loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is fleeting. 11 When goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to their owner except to feast his eyes on them?
12 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich will not let him sleep.
13 There is a terrible evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded by its owner to his own harm. 14 That wealth was lost in a bad venture, so when he fathered a son he had nothing left to leave him. 15 As he came from his mother's womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; and he will take nothing from his toil that he can carry in his hand. 16 This too is a terrible evil: exactly as he came, so he goes. What does he gain from toiling for the wind? 17 All his days he eats in darkness, with much frustration, sickness, and anger.
18 This is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil one labors at under the sun during the few days of life that God has given, for this is one's lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives anyone wealth and possessions, and the power to enjoy them, to accept their lot and rejoice in their toil—this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell much on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.