⁵ You have made my days^(A) a mere handbreadth;
    the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(B)
    even those who seem secure.^[a]

⁶ “Surely everyone goes around^(C) like a mere phantom;^(D)
    in vain they rush about,^(E) heaping up wealth^(F)
    without knowing whose it will finally be.^(G)

¹¹ When you rebuke^(A) and discipline^(B) anyone for their sin,
    you consume^(C) their wealth like a moth^(D)—
    surely everyone is but a breath.^(E)

² “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”^(A)

¹⁷ Before him all the nations^(A) are as nothing;^(B)
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.^(C)