Futility of Secular Accomplishment

12  I, the Teacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13  I decided to carefully and thoroughly examine

all that has been accomplished on earth.

I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task

that keeps them occupied.

14  I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth,

and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile – like chasing the wind!

15  What is bent cannot be straightened,

and what is missing cannot be supplied.