5 and they are afraid of heights and the dangers in the street; the almond blossoms grow white, and the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper berry shrivels up—because man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets— 6 before the silver cord is removed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the well, or the water wheel is broken at the cistern— 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life’s breath returns to God who gave it. 8 “Absolutely futile!” laments the Teacher, “All these things are futile!” 9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.

9 come death and bloodshed and strife and sword, calamities and famine and ruin and plague. 10 All these were created for the wicked, and on their account the flood came. 11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above. 12 All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, but good faith will last forever. 13 The wealth of the unjust will dry up like a river, and crash like a loud clap of thunder in a storm.