| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 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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