Ecclesiastes 6
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1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:
2A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.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.
3If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he—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.
4for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man,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—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.7All of a person's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?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?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10Whatever one is, he has been named already, For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.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.
11Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?
12For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?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?
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Ecclesiastes 5
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