1. I thought about these things. Then I understood that God has power over everyone, even those of us who are wise and live right. Anything can happen to any of us, and so we never know if life will be good or bad.
2. But exactly the same thing will finally happen to all of us, whether we live right and respect God or sin and don't respect God. Yes, the same thing will happen if we offer sacrifices to God or if we don't, if we keep our promises or break them.
3. It's terribly unfair for the same thing to happen to each of us. We are mean and foolish while we live, and then we die.
4. As long as we are alive, we still have hope, just as a live dog is better off than a dead lion.
5. We know that we will die, but the dead don't know a thing. Nothing good will happen to them—they are gone and forgotten.
6. Their loves, their hates, and their jealous feelings have all disappeared with them. They will never again take part in anything that happens on this earth.
7. Be happy and enjoy eating and drinking! God decided long ago that this is what you should do.
8. Dress up, comb your hair, and look your best.