Ecclesiastes 6
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International Standard VersionChristian Standard Bible
1There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings: 1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, and it weighs heavily on humanity:
2a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart's desires—but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous 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.
3A man might father a hundred children, and live for many years, so that the length of his life is long—but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn't receive a proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children are better off than he is, 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.
4because stillborn children arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5Furthermore, though they never saw the sun nor learned anything, they are more content than the other. 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 over without experiencing the best—aren't all of them going to the same place?6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7Every person works for his own self-interests, but his desires remain unsatisfied.7All of a person's labor is for his stomach, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8For what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have in knowing how to face life? 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?
9It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10Whatever exists has been named already; people know what it means to be human— and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful 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.
11Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this?11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?
12Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them?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: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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Ecclesiastes 5
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