Old Testament

New Testament

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 Contemporary English Version Anglicised (CEVUK00)

10. If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn't make sense either.

11. The more you have, the more everyone expects from you. Your money won't do you any good—others will just spend it for you.

12. If you have to work hard for a living, you can rest well at night, even if you don't have much to eat. But if you are rich, you can't even sleep.

13. I have seen something terribly unfair. People get rich, but it does them no good.

14. Suddenly they lose everything in a bad business deal, then have nothing to leave for their children.

15. They came into this world naked, and when they die, they will be just as naked. They can't take anything with them, and they won't have anything to show for all their work.

16. That's terribly unfair. They leave the world just as they came into it. They gained nothing from running after the wind.

17. Besides all this, they are always gloomy at mealtimes, and they are troubled, sick, and bitter.

18. What is the best thing to do in the short life that God has given us? I think we should enjoy eating, drinking, and working hard. This is what God intends us to do.

19. Suppose you are very rich and able to enjoy everything you own. Then go ahead and enjoy working hard—this is God's gift to you.

20. God will keep you so happy that you won't have time to worry about each day.

Read complete chapter Ecclesiastes 5