unfoldingWord_en_tn/ecc/02/19.md

# For who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?

The author uses this rhetorical question to emphasize that no one knows the character the man who will inherit his wealth. AT: "For no one knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])

# he will be

The word "he" refers to the author's heir.

# under the sun

This refers to things that are done on earth. See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:3](../01/01.md). AT: "on the earth" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# that my work and wisdom have built

Here the author's "work" and "wisdom" represent himself and the things he did in his wisdom. He probably had help with the literal buildings. AT: "that I worked very hard and wisely to build" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# vapor

"mist." The author speaks of useless and meaningless things as if they were "vapor." See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:14](../01/12.md). AT: "as useless as vapor" or "meaningless" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# my heart began to despair

Here the author refers to himself by his "heart" to emphasize his feelings. AT: "I began to despair" or "I began to lose all hope" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/know]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/wise]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/foolish]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lord]]