Ecclesiastes, 6

¹ There is another tragedy^*1 that I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

Or “calamity.”

² The true God gives a man riches and material possessions and glory, so that he lacks nothing that he desires;^*1 yet the true God does not enable him to enjoy them, although a stranger may enjoy them. This is futility and a severe affliction.

Or “lacks nothing for his soul.”

³ If a man should become a father a hundred times and live for many years and reach old age, yet he^*1 does not enjoy his good things before he reaches the grave,^*2 I must say that a stillborn child is better off than he is.

Or “his soul.”
Or “and even the grave has not become his.”

⁴ For this one came in vain and went away in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

⁵ Even though he never saw the sun or knew anything, he is still better off^*1 than the former one.

Lit., “has more rest.”

⁶ What is the benefit of living a thousand years twice over but not experiencing enjoyment? Do not all go to the same place?

⁷ All the hard work of a man is to fill his mouth; yet his appetite^*1 is never satisfied.

Or “soul.”

⁸ For what advantage does the wise one have over the stupid one, or of what benefit is it that the poor man knows how to survive?^*1

Lit., “to walk in front of the living.”

⁹ Better to enjoy what the eyes see than to wander after one’s desires.^*1 This too is futility, a chasing after the wind.

Or “than the walking about of the soul.”

¹⁰ Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is; and he is not able to dispute^*1 with the one more powerful than he.

Or “plead his cause.”

¹¹ The more words,^*1 the more futility; and what advantage do they bring to man?

Or possibly, “things.”

¹² Who knows what is best for a man to do in life during the few days of his futile life, which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell man what will happen under the sun after he is gone?

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Ecclesiastes, 6