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Ecclesiastes 6

Holman Christian Standard Bible, 2009 (HCSB)

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¹ Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, ⓐ and it weighs heavily on humanity: [1]

² God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor ⓑ so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, ⓒ but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.

³ A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, [2] if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, ⓓ I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. ⓔ

⁴ For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

⁵ Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.

⁶ And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?

⁷ All man’s labor is for his stomach, [3] ⓕ yet the appetite is never satisfied.

⁸ What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? ⓖ What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?

⁹ Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. ⓗ This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. ⓘ

¹⁰ Whatever exists was given its name long ago, [4] ⓙ and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. ⓚ

¹¹ For when there are many words, they increase futility. ⓛ What is the advantage for man?

¹² For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? ⓜ Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun?

#	HCSB
1	Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, ⓐ and it weighs heavily on humanity: [1]
2	God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor ⓑ so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, ⓒ but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy.
3	A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, [2] if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, ⓓ I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. ⓔ
4	For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
5	Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he.
6	And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7	All man’s labor is for his stomach, [3] ⓕ yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8	What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? ⓖ What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?
9	Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. ⓗ This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. ⓘ
10	Whatever exists was given its name long ago, [4] ⓙ and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. ⓚ
11	For when there are many words, they increase futility. ⓛ What is the advantage for man?
12	For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? ⓜ Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun?

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Ecclesiastes 6

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