Ecclesiastes 5 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Watch your step when you go to the house of God. Come ready to listen rather than to offer the mindless sacrifices that fools bring — they don't even realize they're doing harm.

Don't be hasty with your mouth, and don't let your heart rush to say anything before God. God is in the heavens and you are on the earth — so let your words be few.

Just as too many worries bring bad dreams, too many words bring the babbling of a fool.

When you make a vow to God, don't drag your feet in keeping it. He takes no pleasure in fools — so follow through on what you vow.

Better not to vow at all than to vow and not follow through.

Don't let your mouth lead your whole self into failure. And don't tell the temple messenger, "It was a mistake." Why give God a reason to be angry at what you say and tear down everything you've built?

When dreams pile up, so do pointless words. Instead — stand in awe of God.

If you see the poor being crushed and justice and what's right being stripped away in your region, don't be shocked. Every official is watched by a higher one, and above them all stand even higher powers.

But the profit of the land is for everyone — even the king depends on the field.

Whoever loves money never has enough. Whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with what comes in. This too is vapor.

When goods increase, so do the people consuming them. What do owners really gain except getting to watch it all go?

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much. But the abundance of the rich won't let them sleep at all.

There is a sickening tragedy I've seen under the sun: wealth hoarded by its owner to their own ruin.

That wealth is lost through some bad venture, and when a child is born to them, there is nothing left to pass on.

Naked they came from their mother's womb, and naked they will return. They can carry nothing from their labor — not a single thing their hands can take with them.

This too is a sickening tragedy: exactly as they came, so they will go. What do they gain from chasing the wind?

All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, sickness, and bitterness.

Here is what I've seen to be genuinely good: it is fitting to eat, drink, and find satisfaction in all the work you do under the sun during the few days of life God gives you — because that is your portion.

And when God gives anyone wealth and possessions and the ability to enjoy them — to accept their portion and find joy in their work — this is a gift from God.

They won't dwell too much on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with the joy in their heart.