Ecclesiastes 6

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