Ecclesiastes 6:5-12
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 6
5It has not even seen the sun nor does it know it; yet it is better off than that man. 6Even if the man lives a thousand years twice, but does not see good things—do not all go to one and the same place?'
7All a person’s labor is for his mouth, and yet his appetite is not satisfied.
8For what advantage does the wise person have over the fool? What does the poor person have, knowing how to walk before the living?
9What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and striving after wind.
10Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with the one who is mightier than he is.
11For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a person?
12For who knows what is good for a person during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a person what will happen after him under the sun?
King James Version
Chapter 6
5Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other. 6Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?
7All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.
8For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
10That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 6
5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6And if a person lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
8What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?
9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he.
11For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?
12For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?
New Living Translation
Chapter 6
5and he would never have seen the sun or known of its existence. Yet he would have had more peace than in growing up to be an unhappy man. 6He might live a thousand years twice over but still not find contentment. And since he must die like everyone else — well, what’s the use?English Standard Version
Chapter 6
5Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to the one place?
7All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.
8For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.
11The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?
12For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?
New International Version
Chapter 6
5Though it never saw the sun or knew anything, it has more rest than does that man-- 6even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place?
7Everyone's toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.
8What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?
9Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
10Whatever exists has already been named, and what humanity is has been known; no one can contend with someone who is stronger.
11The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?
New King James Version
Chapter 6
5Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?
7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied.
8For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living?
9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
10Whatever one is, he has been named already, For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.
11Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better?