Ecclesiastes 6

The Frustration of Life

1 I saw another evil under the sun, heavy on mankind:

2 God gives someone wealth, possessions, and honor so they lack nothing, but does not let them enjoy it; a stranger eats it instead. That is meaningless, a sick joke.

3 A man may have a hundred kids and live long, but if he never enjoys life or gets buried in honor, I say a stillborn baby better off.

4 It comes in darkness, leaves in darkness, and its name forgotten.

5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it finds more rest than that man.

6 Even if he lives two thousand years but never enjoys good, do not both end up in the grave,

The Limits of Human Desire

7 All people’s work just to fill their stomachs, but their souls never satisfied.

8 What does the wise gain over the fool, What good is it for the poor to know how to behave before others,

9 Better what the eyes see than what the soul chases, this too meaningless, a chasing after wind.

The Limits of Human Understanding

10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; he cannot argue with the One stronger than him.

11 The more words, the less meaning, and what is the point for man,

12 Who knows what is good for a person in life during the few meaningless days they live like a shadow, Who can tell what will happen under the sun after they are gone,