Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
6 There is another tragedy* that I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2 The true God gives a man riches and material possessions and glory, so that he lacks nothing that he desires;* yet the true God does not enable him to enjoy them, although a stranger may enjoy them. This is futility and a severe affliction.
3 If a man should become a father a hundred times and live for many years and reach old age, yet he* does not enjoy his good things before he reaches the grave,* I must say that a stillborn child is better off than he is.+
4 For this one came in vain and went away in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5 Even though he never saw the sun or knew anything, he is still better off* than the former one.+
6 What is the benefit of living a thousand years twice over but not experiencing enjoyment? Do not all go to the same place?+
7 All the hard work of a man is to fill his mouth;+ yet his appetite* is never satisfied.
8 For what advantage does the wise one have over the stupid one,+ or of what benefit is it that the poor man knows how to survive?*
9 Better to enjoy what the eyes see than to wander after one’s desires.* This too is futility, a chasing after the wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is; and he is not able to dispute* with the one more powerful than he.
11 The more words,* the more futility; and what advantage do they bring to man?
12 Who knows what is best for a man to do in life during the few days of his futile life, which he spends like a shadow?+ For who can tell man what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
Footnotes
^ Or “calamity.”
^ Or “lacks nothing for his soul.”
^ Or “his soul.”
^ Or “and even the grave has not become his.”
^ Lit., “has more rest.”
^ Or “soul.”
^ Lit., “to walk in front of the living.”
^ Or “than the walking about of the soul.”
^ Or “plead his cause.”
^ Or possibly, “things.”