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Powerful Bureaucrats Exploit the Helpless Poor

Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence
    or do not see justice and righteousness in the province.
For one official is watched by a higher official,
    and there are even higher officials over them!
The produce of the land is exploited by everyone;
    even the king profits from the field of the poor![a]

There is Never Enough Money to Satisfy

10 Whoever loves money is not satisfied with money,
    and whoever loves wealth is not satisfied with profit.
This also is vanity!

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:9 Literally “for the field is even worked for the king”

Riches Are Meaningless

If you see the poor oppressed(A) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still. The increase from the land is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields.

10 Whoever loves money never has enough;
    whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
    This too is meaningless.

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