17. And so I hated life, because the work done under the sun was grievous to me. All is but vapor and chasing after the wind.
18. I also hated all the fruit of my toil for which I had labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the one who comes after me.
19. Who knows if he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master over all the fruit of my toil for which I had wisely labored under the sun. This too is futile.
20. So I turned my heart over to despair over all the things for which I had toiled under the sun.
21. For sometimes a man, who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, must hand over as an inheritance to someone who did not work for it. This also is futile and a great misfortune.
22. For what does a man get for all his toil and longing of his heart for which he labors under the sun?
23. For all his days, his work is pain and grief. Even at night his mind does not rest. This also is futility.
24. There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their labor. This too, I perceived, is from the hand of God.
25. For who can eat and who can have joy, apart from Him?
26. For to the one who pleases Him, He gives wisdom, knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and accumulating wealth to give it to one who pleases God. This also is only vapor and striving after the wind.