The Webster Bible WBT
New International Version NIV
1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it [is] common among men:
1
I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind:
2 A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat of it, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease.
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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 If a man begetteth a hundred [children], and liveth many years, so that the days of his years are many, and his soul is not filled with good, and also [that] he hath no burial; I say, [that] an untimely birth [is] better than he.
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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 For he cometh with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.
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It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
5 Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known [any thing]: this hath more rest than the other.
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Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—
6 Yes, though he liveth a thousand years twice [told], yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
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even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
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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.