Ecclesiastes 6

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

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1I've seen another evil thing on this earth. And it's a heavy load on men.

2God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor. He has everything his heart longs for. But God doesn't let him enjoy those things. Instead, strangers enjoy them. That doesn't have any meaning. It's a very evil thing.

3A man might have a hundred children. He might live a long time. But suppose he can't enjoy his wealth. And suppose he isn't buried in the proper way. Then it doesn't matter how long he lives. I'm telling you that a baby that is born dead is better off than he is.

4That kind of birth doesn't have any meaning. The baby dies in darkness and leaves this world. And in darkness it is forgotten.

5It didn't even see the sun. It didn't know anything at all. But it has more rest than that man does.

6And that's true even if he lives for 2,000 years but doesn't get to enjoy his wealth. All people die and go to the grave, don't they?

7Man eats up everything he works to get. But he is never satisfied.

8What advantage does a wise man have over someone who is foolish? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to act toward others?

9Being satisfied with what you have is better than always wanting more. That doesn't have any meaning either. It's like chasing the wind.

10God has already planned what now exists. He has already decided what man is. A man can't argue with the One who is stronger than he is.

11The more words people use, the less meaning there is. And that doesn't help anyone.

12Who knows what's good for a man? He lives for only a few meaningless days. He passes through life like a shadow. Who can tell him what will happen on earth after he is gone?

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