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17 Furthermore, all his days he lives[a] in darkness
    with great sorrow, anger, and affliction.

The Use and Abuse of Accomplishment

18 Look! I observed that it is good and prudent to eat, drink, and enjoy all that is good of a person’s[b] work that he does on earth during the limited days of his life, which God gives him, for this is his allotment. 19 Furthermore, for every person to whom God has given wealth, riches, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept this allotment, and to rejoice in his work—this is a gift from God.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:17 Lit. eats
  2. Ecclesiastes 5:18 Lit. of his

17 All their days they eat in darkness,
    with great frustration, affliction and anger.

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink(A) and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor(B) under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. 19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions,(C) and the ability to enjoy them,(D) to accept their lot(E) and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.(F)

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