Ecclesiastes 6

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

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1There is a misfortune that I have observed under the sun, and it lies heavy on people:

2a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God does not give him ability to enjoy these things, because another man enjoys his possessions. This is vanity and a tormenting injustice.

3If a man is a father to a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are numerous, but his life is not satisfied with the many good things, and there is not one of his children to eventually bury him, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he —

4for the child comes in vanity, and then leaves in darkness, and in darkness his name is covered up.

5Moreover, he has not observed the sun or experienced the sun; yet this child finds rest rather than he.

6Though the man may live a thousand years twice over, yet does not enjoy the good things, do not all go to the same place?

7All the labor of a person is for his mouth, to fill his stomach, but his appetite is not filled.

8For what benefit is there for the wise over the fool? And what more does the poor man know who walks before others?

9Better to be content with the sight of eyes than to have a wandering appetite. This is vanity and a chasing after wind.

10What has already been has been named and determined, and it is already designated what will happen to a person; he cannot contend with Him who is stronger than he.

11For when there are many debating words, there is more vanity. What is the benefit to a person?

12For who knows what is good for a person in life during the number of the days of his vain life, which pass like a shadow? For who can declare to a person what will occur after him under the sun?

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