Ecclesiastes 6

1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

2 a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3 If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:

If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

4 for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

For he comes in with vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

5 moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other:

Moreover he has not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this has more rest than the other.

6 yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?

Yes, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet has he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8 For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? [or] what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?

For what has the wise more than the fool? what has the poor, that knows to walk before the living?

9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

That which has been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11 Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12 For who knoweth what is good for man in [his] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?