1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy
on men: 2 a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he
lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power
to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil
disease.
3 If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the
days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and
moreover he has no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:
4 for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered
with darkness. 5 Moreover it has not seen the sun nor known it. This has
rest rather than the other. 6 Yes, though he live a thousand years twice
told, and yet fails to enjoy good, don’t all go to one place? 7 All the
labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. 8 For
what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that
knows how 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 chasing after
wind. 10 Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known
what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he.
11 For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain
life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after
him under the sun?
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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