“The same fate comes to all,
To the righteous,
To the wicked,
To the good,
To the evil,
To the clean
To the unclean,
To those who sacrifice
To those who do not sacrifice.
As are the good,
So are the sinners.
Those who swear are
Like those who shun an oath.
This is an evil
In all that happens
Under the sun.
The same fate comes to everyone.
Moreover the hearts of all are full of evil.
Madness is in their hearts while they live.
After that,
They go to the dead.
Whoever is joined with all the living has hope.
A living dog is better than a dead lion.
The living know that they will die.
However the dead know nothing.
They have no more reward.
Even the memory of them is lost.
Their love has already perished.
Their hate has already perished.
Their envy has already perished.
Never again will they have any share
In all that happens
Under the sun.”
Qoheleth remarks that we all share the same fate. Whether we are righteous or wicked, good or evil, clean or unclean, sacrificing or not sacrificing, the same fate of death awaits us. It makes no difference whether you were good or a sinner, an oath taker or not, the end is the same. Our hearts are full of evil and madness. Then death takes its toll. As long as you are living there is hope. As Qoheleth points out, it is better to be a living dog than a dead lion. The living humans know that they are going to die, but the dead know nothing. There is no more reward for the dead. Their memory is lost. All their love, hate, or envy fail to exist anymore. The dead will never again share in what happens under the sun here on earth.
