Ecclesiastes 6
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1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:1Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:
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 man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor--instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.
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.3Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years--even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity--even if he were to live forever--I would say, "A stillborn child is better off than he is!"
4For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.4Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,
5The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,5though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man--
6even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?6if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!
7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.7All of man's labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach--yet his 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?8So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?
9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.9It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile--like chasing 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 has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.
11For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?
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 no one knows what is best for a person during his life--during the few days of his fleeting life--for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.
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Ecclesiastes 5
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