| International Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings: | 1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: |
| 2a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart's desires—but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous affliction. | 2God gives a man 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. |
| 3A man might father a hundred children, and live for many years, so that the length of his life is long—but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn't receive a proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children are better off than he is, | 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. |
| 4because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. | 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. |
| 5Furthermore, though they never saw the sun nor learned anything, they are more content than the other. | 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. |
| 6Even if he lives a thousand years twice over without experiencing the best—aren't all of them going to the same place? | 6And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place? |
| 7Every person works for his own self-interests, but his desires remain unsatisfied. | 7All man's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied. |
| 8For what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have in knowing how to face life? | 8What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? |
| 9It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind. | 9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. |
| 10Whatever exists has been named already; people know what it means to be human— and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he. | 10Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. |
| 11Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this? | 11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? |
| 12Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them? | 12For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun? |
|
    |