Ecclesiastes 5:8-14
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 5
8If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them. 9After all, a king who cultivates the field is beneficial to the land.
10One who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor one who loves abundance with its income. This too is futility.
11When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the advantage to their owners except to look at them?
12The sleep of the laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the full stomach of the rich person does not allow him to sleep.
King James Version
9Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
10He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
12The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
13There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
14But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 5
8If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don't be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field.
10The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.
11When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?
12The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep.
New Living Translation
Chapter 5
8Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. 9Even the king milks the land for his own profit!English Standard Version
Chapter 5
8If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. 9But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed to cultivated fields.
10He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.
11When goods increase, they increase who eat them, and what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?
12Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.
New International Version
Chapter 5
8If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. 9The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.New King James Version
10He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.
11When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes?
12The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt.
14But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand.