| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings: | 1I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: |
| 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 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 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 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. |
| 4because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. | 4It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. |
| 5Furthermore, though they never saw the sun nor learned anything, they are more content than the other. | 5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- |
| 6Even if he lives a thousand years twice over without experiencing the best—aren't all of them going 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? |
| 7Every person works for his own self-interests, but his desires remain unsatisfied. | 7Everyone's toil is for their mouth, yet their 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 have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves 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 eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after 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 has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger. |
| 11Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this? | 11The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? |
| 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 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 Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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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