| Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: | 1I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: |
| 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. | 4It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. |
| 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. | 5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- |
| 6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place? | 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 a person's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied. | 7Everyone's toil is for their mouth, yet their 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? | 8What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others? |
| 9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. | 9Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after 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 exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger. |
| 11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind? | 11The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? |
| 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 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? |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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