Parallel Bible results for "Ecclesiastes 6"

Ecclesiastes 6

GW

NIV

1 There is a tragedy that I have seen under the sun. It is a terrible one for mortals.
1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind:
2 God gives one person riches, wealth, and honor so that he doesn't lack anything he wants. Yet, God doesn't give him the power to enjoy any of them. Instead, a stranger enjoys them. This is pointless and is a painful tragedy.
2 God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil.
3 Suppose a rich person wasn't satisfied with good things [while he was alive] and didn't even get an honorable burial [after he died]. Suppose he had a hundred children and lived for many years. No matter how long he would have lived, it [still] would have been better for him to have been born dead.
3 A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4 A stillborn baby arrives in a pointless birth and goes out into the darkness. The darkness then hides its name.
4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
5 Though it has never seen the sun or known anything, the baby finds more rest than the rich person.
5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—
6 Even if the rich person lives two thousand years without experiencing anything good--don't we all go to the same place?
6 even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
7 Everything that people work so hard for goes into their mouths, but their appetite is never satisfied.
7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.
8 What advantage does a wise person have over a fool? What advantage does a poor person have in knowing how to face life?
8 What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
9 It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. [It's like] trying to catch the wind.
9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
10 Whatever has happened [in the past] already has a name. Mortals are already known for what they are. Mortals cannot argue with the one who is stronger than they.
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.
11 The more words there are, the more pointless they become. What advantage do mortals gain from this?
11 The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
12 Who knows what may be good for mortals while they are alive, during the brief, pointless days they live? Mortals pass by like a shadow. Who will tell them about their future under the sun?
12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.