Parallel Bible results for "ecclesiastes 6"

Ecclesiastes 6

New International Version NIV

1 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind:

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 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 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.

5 Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man—

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 Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.

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 eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

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 the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?

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?

New International Reader's Version NIRV

1 I've seen another evil thing on this earth. And it's a heavy load on men.

2 God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor. He has everything his heart longs for. But God doesn't let him enjoy those things. Instead, strangers enjoy them. That doesn't have any meaning. It's a very evil thing.

3 A man might have a hundred children. He might live a long time. But suppose he can't enjoy his wealth. And suppose he isn't buried in the proper way. Then it doesn't matter how long he lives. I'm telling you that a baby that is born dead is better off than he is.

4 That kind of birth doesn't have any meaning. The baby dies in darkness and leaves this world. And in darkness it is forgotten.

5 It didn't even see the sun. It didn't know anything at all. But it has more rest than that man does.

6 And that's true even if he lives for 2,000 years but doesn't get to enjoy his wealth. All people die and go to the grave, don't they?

7 Man eats up everything he works to get. But he is never satisfied.

8 What advantage does a wise man have over someone who is foolish? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to act toward others?

9 Being satisfied with what you have is better than always wanting more. That doesn't have any meaning either. It's like chasing the wind.

10 God has already planned what now exists. He has already decided what man is. A man can't argue with the One who is stronger than he is.

11 The more words people use, the less meaning there is. And that doesn't help anyone.

12 Who knows what's good for a man? He lives for only a few meaningless days. He passes through life like a shadow. Who can tell him what will happen on earth after he is gone?