Add parallel Print Page Options

If you see some poor man being oppressed by the rich, with miscarriage of justice anywhere throughout the land, don’t be surprised! For every official is under orders from higher up, and the higher officials look up to their superiors. And so the matter is lost in red tape and bureaucracy.[a] And over them all is the king. Oh, for a king who is devoted to his country! Only he can bring order from this chaos.

10 He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness!

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 5:8 And so the matter is lost in red tape and bureaucracy, literally, “And there are yet higher ones over them.”

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.

Read full chapter