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A lot of dreaming produces a lot of vapor. So does a lot of words.[a] Instead, fear God.

Life Is Futile

If you see the poor being oppressed, and you see the province being robbed of justice and fairness, do not be shocked about the situation, because one high official is watched by a higher one, and higher ones are over them! All officials take their cut of the profit from the land; even the king benefits from the fields.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or many empty dreams produce many empty words. The meaning of this line is uncertain.
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:9 Or it is beneficial when a land has a king who devotes attention to the field

Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.(A)

Riches Are Meaningless

If you see the poor oppressed(B) 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. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

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