New Revised Standard NRS
New International Version NIV
14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands.
14
or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 As they came from their mother's womb, so they shall go again, naked as they came; they shall take nothing for their toil, which they may carry away with their hands.
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Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
16 This also is a grievous ill: just as they came, so shall they go; and what gain do they have from toiling for the wind?
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This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?
17 Besides, all their days they eat in darkness, in much vexation and sickness and resentment.
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All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 This is what I have seen to be good: it is fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of the life God gives us; for this is our lot.
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This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
19 Likewise all to whom God gives wealth and possessions and whom he enables to enjoy them, and to accept their lot and find enjoyment in their toil—this is the gift of God.
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Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
20 For they will scarcely brood over the days of their lives, because God keeps them occupied with the joy of their hearts.
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They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.