Song of Solomon 5
Song of Solomon chapter 5 from the Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner Revision
1 I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts. 2 Therefore the death of man, and of beasts is one, and the condition of them both is equal: as man dieth, so they also die: all things breathe alike, and man hath nothing more than beast: all things are subject to vanity. 3 And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together. 4 Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward? 5 And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him? 7 I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any. 8 And I praised the dead rather than the living: 9 And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun. 10 Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care. 11 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying: 12 Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind. 13 Considering I found also another vanity under the sun: 14 There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation. 15 It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society: 16 If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.