1 There exists another misfortune that I have observed on earth, and it is a heavy burden upon human beings: ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:1
2 a 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. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:2
3 A man might father a hundred children, a6:3 The Heb. lacks children and live for many years, so that the length of his life b6:3 Lit. years is long—but if his life does not overflow with goodness, and he doesn’t receive a proper c6:3 The Heb. lacks proper burial, I maintain that stillborn children d6:3 Lit. child; and so through v. 5 are better off than he is, ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:3
4 because stillborn children e6:3 Lit. because he arrive in pointlessness, leave in darkness, and their names are covered in darkness. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:4
5 Furthermore, though they never saw the sun nor learned anything, f6:5 The Heb. lacks anything they are more content than the other. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:5
6 Even if he lives a thousand years twice over without experiencing the best—aren’t all of them going to the same place? ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:6
7 Every person works for his own self-interests, g6:7 Lit. for his mouth but his desires remain unsatisfied. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:7
8 For what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have in knowing how to face life? h6:8 Lit. knows to walk before the living ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:8
9 It 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. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:9
10 Whatever exists has been named already; i6:10 i.e. its destiny is known people know what it means j6:10 Lit. already; it is known to be human— and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he. ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:10
11 Because many words lead to pointlessness, how do people benefit from this? ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:11
12 Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through k6:12 Or they spend like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them? ISV — Ecclesiastes 6:12