1
For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right: The time of our life is short and tedious, and in the end of a man there is no remedy, and no man hath been known to have returned from hell:
2
For we are born of nothing, and after this we shall be as if we had not been: for the breath in our nostrils is smoke: and speech a spark to move our heart,
3
Which being put out, our body shall be ashes, and our spirit shall be poured abroad as soft air, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, which is driven away by the beams of the sun, and overpowered with the heat thereof:
4
And our name in time shall be forgotten, and no man shall have any remembrance of our works.
5
For our time is as the passing of a shadow, and there is no going back of our end: for it is fast sealed, and no man returneth.
6
Come therefore, and let us enjoy the good things that are present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth.
7
Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments: and let not the flower of the time pass by us.
8
Let us crown ourselves with roses, before they be withered: let no meadow escape our riot.
9
Let none of us go without his part in luxury: let us everywhere leave tokens of joy: for this is our portion, and this our lot.
10
Let us oppress the poor just man, and not spare the widow, nor honour the ancient grey hairs of the aged.