¹⁴ There is a vanity that hath been done upon the earth, that there are righteous ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the wicked, and there are wicked ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the righteous. I have said that this also `is' vanity.

¹⁵ The whole I have considered in the days of my vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there is a wrong-doer prolonging `himself' in his wrong.

¹⁵ And now, we are declaring the proud happy, Yea, built up have been those doing wickedness, Yea they have tempted God, and escape.'

¹⁴ The wise! -- his eyes `are' in his head, and the fool in darkness is walking, and I also knew that one event happeneth with them all;

¹ But all this I have laid unto my heart, so as to clear up the whole of this, that the righteous and the wise, and their works, `are' in the hand of God, neither love nor hatred doth man know, the whole `is' before them.

² The whole `is' as to the whole; one event is to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good, and to the clean, and to the unclean, and to him who is sacrificing, and to him who is not sacrificing; as `is' the good, so `is' the sinner, he who is swearing as he who is fearing an oath.

³ This `is' an evil among all that hath been done under the sun, that one event `is' to all, and also the heart of the sons of man is full of evil, and madness `is' in their heart during their life, and after it -- unto the dead.

¹² Lo, these `are' the wicked and easy ones of the age, They have increased strength.

¹³ Only -- a vain thing! I have purified my heart, And I wash in innocency my hands,

¹⁴ And I am plagued all the day, And my reproof `is' every morning.

³ The peace of the wicked I see, That there are no bands at their death,

⁷ Wherefore do the wicked live? They have become old, Yea, they have been mighty in wealth.

¹ Righteous `art' Thou, O Jehovah, When I plead towards thee, Only, judgments do I speak with Thee, Wherefore did the way of the wicked prosper? At rest have been all treacherous dealers.

⁵ There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error that goeth out from the ruler,

⁸ There is one, and there is not a second; even son or brother he hath not, and there is no end to all his labour! His eye also is not satisfied with riches, and `he saith not', `For whom am I labouring and bereaving my soul of good?' This also is vanity, it is a sad travail.

⁴ And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this `is' vanity and vexation of spirit.

²¹ Treating evil the barren `who' beareth not, And `to' the widow he doth no good,

²² And hath drawn the mighty by his power, He riseth, and none believeth in life.

²³ He giveth to him confidence, and he is supported, And his eyes `are' on their ways.

²⁴ High they were `for' a little, and they are not, And they have been brought low. As all `others' they are shut up, And as the head of an ear of corn cut off.

²⁵ And if not now, who doth prove me a liar, And doth make of nothing my word?

¹⁷ How oft is the lamp of the wicked extinguished, And come on them doth their calamity? Pangs He apportioneth in His anger.

¹⁸ They are as straw before wind, And as chaff a hurricane hath stolen away,

¹⁹ God layeth up for his sons his sorrow, He giveth recompense unto him -- and he knoweth.

²⁰ His own eyes see his destruction, And of the wrath of the Mighty he drinketh.

²¹ For what `is' his delight in his house after him, And the number of his months cut off?

²² To God doth `one' teach knowledge, And He the high doth judge?

²³ This `one' dieth in his perfect strength, Wholly at ease and quiet.

²⁴ His breasts have been full of milk, And marrow his bones doth moisten.

²⁵ And this `one' dieth with a bitter soul, And have not eaten with gladness.

²⁶ Together -- on the dust they lie down, And the worm doth cover them over.

²⁷ Lo, I have known your thoughts, And the devices against me ye do wrongfully.

²⁸ For ye say, `Where `is' the house of the noble? And where the tent -- The tabernacles of the wicked?'

²⁹ Have ye not asked those passing by the way? And their signs do ye not know?

³⁰ That to a day of calamity is the wicked spared. To a day of wrath they are brought.

³¹ Who doth declare to his face his way? And `for' that which he hath done, Who doth give recompence to him?

³² And he -- to the graves he is brought. And over the heap a watch is kept.

³³ Sweet to him have been the clods of the valley, And after him every man he draweth, And before him there is no numbering.

³⁴ And how do ye comfort me `with' vanity, And in your answers hath been left trespass?

²² It is the same thing, therefore I said, `The perfect and the wicked He is consuming.'

²³ If a scourge doth put to death suddenly, At the trial of the innocent He laugheth.

²⁴ Earth hath been given Into the hand of the wicked one. The face of its judges he covereth, If not -- where, who `is' he?