🌀WEB · Ecclesiastes 5:11

What does Ecclesiastes 5:11 mean?

"When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?"

— Ecclesiastes 5:11 (World English Bible)

Surrounding context

8

If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.

9

Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.

10

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.

11

When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?

12

The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.

13

There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.

14

Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.

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