| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity: | 1There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind: |
| 2God gives a man 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. | 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 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. | 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. |
| 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. | 4For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity. |
| 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. | 5The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man, |
| 6And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both 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? |
| 7All man's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied. | 7All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied. |
| 8What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself 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 eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of 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 was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. | 10Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he. |
| 11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man? | 11For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone? |
| 12For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun? | 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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