12 Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and might live a long time, I know it will be better for those who honor God.
13 I also know it will not go well for evil people, because they do not honor God. Like a shadow, they will not last.
14 Sometimes something useless happens on earth. Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. I say that this is also useless.
15 So I decided it was more important to enjoy life. The best that people can do here on earth is to eat, drink, and enjoy life, because these joys will help them do the hard work God gives them here on earth.
16 I tried to understand all that happens on earth. I saw how busy people are, working day and night and hardly ever sleeping.
17 I also saw all that God has done. Nobody can understand what God does here on earth. No matter how hard people try to understand it, they cannot. Even if wise people say they understand, they cannot; no one can really understand it.