Ecclesiastes 6

New International Version

• 1. I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men:
• 2. God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires, but God does not enable him to enjoy them, and a stranger enjoys them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
• 3. A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
• 4. It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
• 5. Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-
• 6. even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
• 7. All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.
• 8. What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct himself before others?
• 9. Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
• 10. Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.
• 11. The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
• 12. For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?

New International Version