Ecclesiastes 6:3-12 ▼

3 Should one have a hundred children and live many years, no matter to what great age, still if one has not the full benefit of those goods, I proclaim that the child born dead, even if left unburied, is more fortunate.

4 Though it came in vain and goes into darkness and its name is enveloped in darkness,

5 though it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet the dead child has more peace.

6 Should such a one live twice a thousand years and not enjoy those goods, do not both go to the same place?

7 All human toil is for the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied.

8 What profit have the wise compared to fools, or what profit have the lowly in knowing how to conduct themselves in life?

9 “What the eyes see is better than what the desires wander after.” This also is vanity and a chase after wind.

10 Whatever is, was long ago given its name, and human nature is known; mortals cannot contend in judgment with One who is stronger.

11 For the more words, the more vanity; what profit is there for anyone?

12 For who knows what is good for mortals in life, the limited days of their vain life, spent like a shadow? Because who can tell them what will come afterward under the sun?