1. Words of a Gatherer, son of an obedient one, the declaration, an affirmation of the man: --I have wearied myself [for] God, I have wearied myself [for] God, and am consumed.
2. For I am more brutish than any one, And have not the understanding of a man.
3. Nor have I learned wisdom, Yet the knowledge of Holy Ones I know.
4. Who went up to heaven, and cometh down? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound waters in a garment? Who established all ends of the earth? What [is] His name? and what His son's name? Surely thou knowest!
5. Every saying of God [is] tried, A shield He [is] to those trusting in Him.
6. Add not to His words, lest He reason with thee, And thou hast been found false.
7. Two things I have asked from Thee, Withhold not from me before I die.
8. Vanity and a lying word put far from me, Poverty or wealth give not to me, Cause me to eat the bread of my portion,
9. Lest I become satiated, and have denied, And have said, `Who [is] Jehovah?' And lest I be poor, and have stolen, And have laid hold of the name of my God.
10. Accuse not a servant unto his lord, Lest he disesteem thee, and thou be found guilty.
11. A generation [is], that lightly esteemeth their father, And their mother doth not bless.