Young's Literal Translation YLT
New International Version NIV
12 Sweet [is] the sleep of the labourer whether he eat little or much; and the sufficiency of the wealthy is not suffering him to sleep.
12
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but as for the rich, their abundance permits them no sleep.
13 There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.
13
I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
14 And that wealth hath been lost in an evil business, and he hath begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand!
14
or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit.
15 As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand.
15
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 And this also [is] a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage [is] to him who laboureth for wind?
16
This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind?
17 Also all his days in darkness he consumeth, and sadness, and wrath, and sickness abound.
17
All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.
18 Lo, that which I have seen: [It is] good, because beautiful, to eat, and to drink, and to see good in all one's labour that he laboureth at under the sun, the number of the days of his life that God hath given to him, for it [is] his portion.
18
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 Every man also to whom God hath given wealth and riches, and hath given him power to eat of it, and to accept his portion, and to rejoice in his labour, this is a gift of God.
19
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 he doth not much remember the days of his life, for God is answering through the joy of his heart.
20
They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.
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.