| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people: | 1I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: |
| 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. | 2God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. |
| 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!" | 3A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. |
| 4Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, | 4It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. |
| 5though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man-- | 5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- |
| 6if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die! | 6even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? |
| 7All of man's labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach--yet his appetite is never satisfied! | 7Everyone's toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied. |
| 8So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive? | 8What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others? |
| 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. | 9Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. |
| 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. | 10Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger. |
| 11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? | 11The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? |
| 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. | 12For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? |
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