Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 6"

Ecclesiastes 6

CJB

NIV

1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on people:
1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind:
2 the case in which God gives someone riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing that he wants; but God does not give him the power to enjoy them, and some stranger gets to enjoy them - this is meaningless, evil, sick.
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 man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that he has a long life, but he fails to enjoy himself; then, even if he were to [live indefinitely and therefore] never be buried, I say that it would be better to be 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 For the arrival of a stillborn baby is a futile thing, and its departure is in darkness; its name is [forgotten,] covered in darkness;
4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.
5 and although it has never seen or known the sun, it is more content than he is,
5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—
6 without enjoying himself, even if he were to live a thousand years twice over. Doesn't everyone 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 The purpose of all toil is to fill the mouth, yet the appetite is never satisfied.
7 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.
8 What advantage has the wise over the fool, or the person with experience, if he is poor?
8 What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
9 Better what the eyes can see than meandering desire. Yet this too is pointless and feeding on wind.
9 Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
10 Whatever he is, he was named long ago, and it is known that he is merely human; moreover, he cannot defeat what is mightier than he [death].
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.
11 There are many things that only add to futility, so how do humans benefit from them?
11 The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for someone during life, during the days of his pointless life spent like a shadow? Who can tell what will happen under the sun after a person is gone?
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?
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. 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.