3
1 To every thing there is a zeman (time), and an et (season) for every matter under Shomayim:
2 An et (season) to be born,
and an et (season) to die;
an et (season) to plant,
and an et (season) to uproot that which is planted;
3 An et (season) to kill,
and an et (season) to heal;
an et (season) to tear down,
and an et (season) to build up;
4 An et (season) to weep,
and an et (season) to laugh;
an et (season) to mourn,
and an et (season) to dance;
5 An et (season) to throw stones away,
and an et (season) to gather stones together;
an et (season) to embrace,
and an et (season) to refrain from embracing;
6 An et (season) to look for,
and an et (season) to lose;
an et (season) to keep,
and an et (season) to throw away;
7 An et (season) to tear,
and an et (season) to mend;
an et (season) to keep silent,
and an et (season) to speak;
8 An et (season) to love,
and an et (season) to hate;
an et (season) of milchamah,
and an et (season) of shalom.
9 What profit hath the worker from his amal (labor)? 10 I have seen the occupation, which Elohim hath given to the bnei HaAdam to keep them occupied. 11 Hashem hath made every thing yafeh in its et (season); also He hath set HaOlam in their lev, yet so that no adam can find out the ma'aseh that HaElohim hath done from the beginning to the end. 12 I have da'as that there is nothing better for adam, than that they have simchah and do tov while they live. 13 And also that kol haAdam should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his amal. This is a gift of Elohim.
14 I have da'as that, all that HaElohim doeth will endure l'olam; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; HaElohim doeth it, that men should fear before Him. 15 That which is hath been already; and that which is to be hath already been; and HaElohim will call that which is past to account.
16 And moreover I saw under the shemesh that in the Mekom Mishpat (place of judgment) resha (wickedness) was there; and in the Mekom Tzedek, resha (wickedness) was there. 17 I said in mine lev, HaElohim shall judge the tzaddik and the resha (wicked); for an et (season) for every matter and for every ma'aseh is there. 18 I said in mine lev, As for bnei haAdam, HaElohim tests them, that they might see that they themselves are like beheimah. 19 For bnei haAdam and beheimah share one and same mikreh (fortune); as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that the adam hath no advantage above the beheimah; for all is hevel. 20 All go unto mekom echad; all are of the afahr (dust), and all return to the afahr again. 21 Who hath da'as of the ruach bnei haAdam that goeth upward, and the ruach habeheimah that goeth downward to ha'aretz?* 22 Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better than that the adam find simchah in his ma'asim; for that is his chelek; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
* 3:21 see 12:7