Ecclesiastes 9 (NKJV)

¹ For I considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works are in the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred by anything they see before them. ² He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath. ³ This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. ⁴ But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. ⁵ For the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶ In anything done under the sun. ⁷ For God has already accepted your works. ⁸ And let your head lack no oil. ⁹ Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun. ¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. ¹¹ But time and chance happen to them all. ¹² When it falls suddenly upon them. ¹³ This wisdom I have also seen under the sun, and it seemed great to me: ¹⁴ There was a little city with few men in it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great snares around it. ¹⁵ Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man. ¹⁶ And his words are not heard. ¹⁷ Rather than the shout of a ruler of fools. ¹⁸ But one sinner destroys much good.”