Ecclesiastes 6
6
1 # ch. 5:13 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2a man #ch. 5:19 to whom #[1 Kgs. 3:13] God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he #Ps. 17:14; 73:7; See Job 21:7-13 lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God #[ch. 5:19; Luke 12:20]does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;#6:2 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2) it is a grievous evil. 3If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that #Gen. 47:8, 9 the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life’s #[ver. 6] good things, and he also has no #Isa. 14:20; Jer. 8:2; 22:19; [2 Kgs. 9:35] burial, I say that #ch. 4:3; Job 3:16a stillborn child is better off than he. 4For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5Moreover, it has not #ch. 7:11; 11:7 seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds #ch. 4:6rest rather than he. 6Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy#6:6 Or see no good—do not all go to the one place?
7 # [Prov. 16:26] All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.#6:7 Hebrew filled 8For what advantage has the wise man #[ch. 2:15]over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9Better #ch. 11:9 is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is #See ch. 1:14vanity and a striving after wind.
10Whatever has come to be has #ch. 1:10; 3:15 already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to #Job 9:32; Isa. 45:9; [1 Cor. 10:22]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 #[ch. 7:15; 9:9] vain#6:12 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2) life, which he passes like #ch. 8:13; See Job 14:2 a shadow? For who can tell man what will be #[ch. 2:18; 3:22]after him under the sun?
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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Ecclesiastes 6
6
1Here is a tragedy I have observed under the sun, # Ec 5:13 and it weighs heavily on humanity: # Or it is common among men 2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor # 1Kg 3:13 so that he lacks nothing of all he desires for himself, # Ps 17:14; 73:7 but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a sickening tragedy. 3A man may father a hundred children and live many years. No matter how long he lives, # Lit how many years if he is not satisfied by good things and does not even have a proper burial, # Is 14:20; Jr 8:2; 22:19 I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. # Jb 3:16; Ec 4:3 4For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness. 5Though a stillborn child does not see the sun and is not conscious, it has more rest than he. 6And if he lives a thousand years twice, but does not experience happiness, do not both go to the same place?
7All man’s labor is for his stomach, # Lit mouth # Pr 16:26
yet the appetite is never satisfied.
8What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool? # Ec 2:15 What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others? 9Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. # Ec 11:9 This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. # Ec 1:14
10Whatever exists was given its name long ago, # Lit name already # Gn 2:19; Ec 1:9-10; 3:15 and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he. # Jb 9:32; Is 45:9 11For when there are many words, they increase futility. # Pr 10:19; Mt 6:7 What is the advantage for man? 12For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? # Ec 3:22 Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun?
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