Ecclesiastes 6

Ecclesiastes 6:1

There is another evil I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon mankind:

Ecclesiastes 6:1 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:2

God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.

Ecclesiastes 6:2 · BSB

yet A man may possess much earthly goods , and yet have neither the heart nor power to enjoy them. Possession and fruition are not necessarily joined together; and this is also among the vanities of life , and was and still is a very "common evil among men." It belongs to God as much to give the power to enjoy , as it does to give earthly blessings.

Ecclesiastes 6:3

A man may father a hundred children and live for many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he is unsatisfied with his prosperity and does not even receive a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.

Ecclesiastes 6:3 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:4

For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.

Ecclesiastes 6:4 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:5

The child, though neither seeing the sun nor knowing anything, has more rest than that man,

Ecclesiastes 6:5 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:6

even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?

Ecclesiastes 6:6 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:7

All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 6:7 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:8

What advantage, then, has the wise man over the fool? What gain comes to the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before others?

Ecclesiastes 6:8 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:10

Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

Ecclesiastes 6:10 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:11

For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?

Ecclesiastes 6:11 · BSB

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 6:12 · BSB