| Christian Standard Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: | 1Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people: |
| 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. | 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 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. | 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 he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. | 4Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, |
| 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. | 5though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man-- |
| 6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both 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 of a person's labor is for his stomach, yet the 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 does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person 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 eyes see than wandering 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 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. | 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 when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind? | 11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? |
| 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? | 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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