Ecclesiastes 6
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1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:
2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.2God gives a person riches, wealth, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.
3A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.3A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.
6even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.7All of a person's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?8What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?
9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.10Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he.
11For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?
12For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?12For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?
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Ecclesiastes 5
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