Ecclesiastes 5:9-19 Modern English Version (MEV)

9. But this is an advantage to the land in every way, like a king committed to a cultivated field.

10. He who loves money will not be satisfied with money;nor he who loves abundance with increase.This also is vanity.

11. When there is an increase of good things,then there is an increase of those who devour them.And what profit have the ownersexcept to see them with their eyes?

12. Sweet is the sleep of a laboring man,whether he eats a little or much;but the abundance of the richwill not let him sleep.

13. There is a grave misery that I have seen under the sun: when riches were kept by an owner to his hurt,

14. and those riches were lost in a misfortunate business deal;and although he has a son,there is nothing at all to put in his hand.

15. As he came from his mother’s womb,naked shall he return, to go as he came;he shall take nothing from his laborwhich he may carry away in his hands.

16. This also is a grievous evil: Just as he came,so shall he go.And what profit is there to him who toils for the wind?

17. Moreover, in all his days he eats in darkness,while he is greatly irritated in sickness and anger.

18. This is what I have seen to be good: It is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life, which God has given to him; for this is his reward.

19. And also everyone to whom God has given wealth and possessions, and given him power to enjoy them, and to receive his reward and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5