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6:1 Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people: 6:2 God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor — instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune. 6:3 Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity— even if he were to live forever — I would say, “A stillborn child is better off than he is.” 6:4 Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness, 6:5 though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man— 6:6 if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die! 6:7 All man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach — yet his appetite is never satisfied! 6:8 So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive? 6:9 It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile—like chasing the wind.
6:10 Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is. 6:11 The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him? 6:12 For no one knows what is best for a person during his life — during the few days of his fleeting life— for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.
NET Bible Second Edition. Copyright 2017 Biblical Studies Press
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