| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: | 1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind: |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 4It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded. | 4For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity. |
| 5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- | 5The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, 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? | 6even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? |
| 7Everyone's toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied. | 7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. |
| 8What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others? | 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? |
| 9Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. | 9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. |
| 10Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger. | 10Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. |
| 11The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? | 11For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone? |
| 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? | 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? |
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