He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does.

So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.

Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure. I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward.

Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn't mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind---of no use at all.

The best thing we can do is eat and drink and enjoy what we have earned. And yet, I realized that even this comes from God.

Here is what I have found out: the best thing we can do is eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for during the short life that God has given us; this is our fate.

Since God has allowed us to be happy, we will not worry too much about how short life is.

So I am convinced that we should enjoy ourselves, because the only pleasure we have in this life is eating and drinking and enjoying ourselves. We can at least do this as we labor during the life that God has given us in this world.

Go ahead---eat your food and be happy; drink your wine and be cheerful. It's all right with God.

Enjoy life with the one you love, as long as you live the useless life that God has given you in this world. Enjoy every useless day of it, because that is all you will get for all your trouble.

Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart's desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do.

There, in the presence of the LORD your God, who has blessed you, you and your families will eat and enjoy the good things that you have worked for.

You and your children, together with your servants and the Levites who live in your towns, are to eat these offerings only in the presence of the LORD your God, in the one place of worship chosen by the LORD your God. And you are to be happy there over everything that you have done.

So now I bring to the LORD the first part of the harvest that he has given me.' "Then set the basket down in the LORD's presence and worship there.

Be grateful for the good things that the LORD your God has given you and your family; and let the Levites and the foreigners who live among you join in the celebration.

The LORD blessed you in every way, but you would not serve him with glad and joyful hearts.

Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

Show a gentle attitude toward everyone. The Lord is coming soon.

How can anyone know what is best for us in this short, useless life of ours---a life that passes like a shadow? How can we know what will happen in the world after we die?

None of us knows what is going to happen, and there is no one to tell us.

You never know when your time is coming. Like birds suddenly caught in a trap, like fish caught in a net, we are trapped at some evil moment when we least expect it.

A fool talks on and on. No one knows what is going to happen next, and no one can tell us what will happen after we die.

Our children win honor, but we never know it, nor are we told when they are disgraced.

He answered, "You must go now, Daniel, because these words are to be kept secret and hidden until the end comes.

Many people will be purified. Those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked; only those who are wise will understand.

"And you, Daniel, be faithful to the end. Then you will die, but you will rise to receive your reward at the end of time."

So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings.