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Ecclesiastes 6:1-12 — The Futility of Life

Eccl.6.1-12

¹There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on man: ²a man to whom God gives riches, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not empower him to enjoy it, for a stranger enjoys it. This is futility and a grievous affliction. ³If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many the days of his years may be, yet his appetite is not satisfied with good and he does not even have burial, I say that the stillborn child is better off than he. ⁴For it comes in futility and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. ⁵It has not even seen the sun or known anything; it has more rest than that man. ⁶Even if he should live a thousand years twice over and yet see no good, do not all go to one place ? ⁷All man's toil is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. ⁸For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? What advantage has the poor man who knows how to conduct himself before the living ? ⁹Better the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This too is futility and a striving after wind. ¹⁰Whatever has been, its name was called long ago, and it is known what man is; he cannot contend with one stronger than he. ¹¹For there are many words that increase futility; what advantage is that to man? ¹²For who knows what is good for man in life, during the numbered days of his futile life, which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

Translation Notes

4/11/2026

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