⁴⁵ `Again, the reign of the heavens is like to a man, a merchant, seeking goodly pearls,

¹⁸ Wealth and honour `are' with me, Lasting substance and righteousness.

¹⁹ Better `is' my fruit than gold, even fine gold, And mine increase than choice silver.

²⁰ In a path of righteousness I cause to walk, In midst of paths of judgment,

⁵ and they, having disregarded `it', went away, the one to his own field, and the other to his merchandise;

²⁶ for what is a man profited if he may gain the whole world, but of his life suffer loss? or what shall a man give as an exchange for his life?

²⁴ Another simile he set before them, saying: `The reign of the heavens was likened to a man sowing good seed in his field,

¹³ The end of the whole matter let us hear: -- `Fear God, and keep His commands, for this `is' the whole of man.

⁸ Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole `is' vanity.

² Of laughter I said, `Foolish!' and of mirth, `What `is' this it is doing?'

³ I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where `is' this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.

⁴ I made great my works, I builded for me houses, I planted for me vineyards.

⁵ I made for me gardens and paradises, and I planted in them trees of every fruit.

⁶ I made for me pools of water, to water from them a forest shooting forth trees.

⁷ I got men-servants, and maid-servants, and sons of the house were to me; also, I had much substance -- herd and flock -- above all who had been before me in Jerusalem.

⁸ I gathered for me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces. I prepared for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of man -- a wife and wives.

⁹ And I became great, and increased above every one who had been before me in Jerusalem; also, my wisdom stood with me.

¹⁰ And all that mine eyes asked I kept not back from them; I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labour, and this hath been my portion, from all my labour,

¹¹ and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole `is' vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun!

¹² And I turned to see wisdom, and madness, and folly, but what `is' the man who cometh after the king? that which `is' already -- they have done it!

¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold.

¹¹ For better `is' wisdom than rubies, Yea, all delights are not comparable with it.

¹³ O the happiness of a man `who' hath found wisdom, And of a man `who' bringeth forth understanding.

¹⁴ For better `is' her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold -- her increase.

¹⁵ Precious she `is' above rubies, And all thy pleasures are not comparable to her.

¹⁶ Length of days `is' in her right hand, In her left `are' wealth and honour.

¹⁷ Her ways `are' ways of pleasantness, And all her paths `are' peace.

¹⁸ A tree of life she `is' to those laying hold on her, And whoso is retaining her `is' happy.

⁶ Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, `in' vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

⁷ And, now, what have I expected? O Lord, my hope -- it `is' of Thee.

⁶ Many are saying, `Who doth show us good?' Lift on us the light of Thy face, O Jehovah,

⁷ Thou hast given joy in my heart, From the time their corn and their wine Have been multiplied.

¹⁸ Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom `is' above rubies.