9. I saw all of this as I studied. I considered all that is done here on earth. And I saw men rule others and hurt them.
10. I saw evil people being buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place. Good things were said about them in the same towns where they had done evil. This is senseless, too.
11. Sometimes people are not punished right away for the bad things they do. That makes other people want to do bad things, too.
12. A sinner might do a hundred evil things. And he might live a long time. Even so, I know it will be better for those who honor God. They fear him, and he sees it.
13. And I also know it will not go well for evil people. Their lives will be like a brief shadow. They will not live very long.
14. But sometimes something senseless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. This is truly senseless.