Ecclesiastes 6
1 There is also another evil, which I have seen under the sun, and, indeed, it is frequent among men.
Der er et Onde, jeg så under Solen, og som tynger Menneskene hårdt:
2 It is a man to whom God has given wealth, and resources, and honor; and out of all that he desires, nothing is lacking to his life; yet God does not grant him the ability to consume these things, but instead a man who is a stranger will devour them. This is emptiness and a great misfortune.
Når Gud giver en Mand Rigdom og Gods og Ære, så han intet savner af, hvad han ønsker, og Gud ikke sætter ham i Stand til at nyde det, men en fremmed nyder det, da er dette Tomhed og en slem Lidelse.
3 If a man were to produce one hundred children, and to live for many years, and to attain to an age of many days, and if his soul were to make no use of the goods of his resources, and if he were lacking even a burial: concerning such a man, I declare that a miscarried child is better than he.
Om en Mand avler hundrede Børn og lever mange År, så hans Levetid bliver lang, men hans Sjæl ikke mættes af Goder, så siger jeg dog, at et utidigt Foster er bedre faren end han;
4 For he arrives without a purpose and he continues on into darkness, and his name shall be wiped away, into oblivion.
thi at det kommer, er Tomhed, og det går bort i Mørke, og i Mørke dølges dets Navn;
5 He has not seen the sun, nor recognized the difference between good and evil.
og det har hverken set eller kendt Sol; det får end ikke en Grav; det hviler bedre end han.
6 Even if he were to live for two thousand years, and yet not thoroughly enjoy what is good, does not each one hurry on to the same place?
Om han så levede to Gange tusind År, men ikke skuede Lykke - mon ikke alle farer sammesteds hen?
7 Every labor of man is for his mouth, but his soul will not be filled.
Al Menneskets Flid tjener hans Mund, og dog stilles hans Sult aldrig.
8 What do the wise have which is more than the foolish? And what does the pauper have, except to continue on to that place, where there is life?
Thi hvad har den vise forud for Tåben, hvad båder det den arme, der ved at vandre for de levendes Øjne?
9 It is better to see what you desire, than to desire what you cannot know. But this, too, is emptiness and a presumption of spirit.
Bedre at se med sine Øjne end higende Attrå. Også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
10 Whoever shall be in the future, his name has already been called. And it is known that he is a man and that he is not able to contend in judgment against one who is stronger than himself.
Hvad der bliver til er for længst nævnet ved Navn, og det vides i Forvejen, hvad et Menneske bliver til; det kan ikke gå i Rette med ham, der er den stærkeste.
11 There are many words, and many of these, in disputes, hold much emptiness.
Thi jo flere Ord der bruges, des større bliver Tomheden, og hvad gavner de Mennesket?
12 Why is it necessary for a man to seek things that are greater than himself, when he does not know what is advantageous for himself in his life, during the number of the days of his sojourn, and while time passes by like a shadow? Or who will be able to tell him what will be in the future after him under the sun?
Thi hvo ved, hvad der båder et Menneske i Livet, det Tal af tomme Levedage han henlever som en Skygge? Thi hvo kan sige et Menneske, hvad der skal ske under Solen efter hans Død?
