Ecclesiastes 6, verse 1. There is an evil I have seen under the sun, and it is abundant among men: Ecclesiastes 6, verse 2. A man to whom God shall give wealth, possessions, and glory, so he lacks nothing for his life from all the things he shall desire; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a stranger consumes it. This is vanity and a grievous sickness. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 3. If a man begets a hundred children, and he shall live many years—however many the days of his years shall be—yet his soul is not to be filled with goodness, and he also has no burial. I say that a miscarried child is better than he, Ecclesiastes 6, verse 4. for it came in futility and departs in darkness; and its name shall be covered with darkness. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 5. Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, it has more rest than that man. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 6. Even if he lived a thousand years twice, but has not seen goodness, do not all go to one place? Ecclesiastes 6, verse 7. All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet his soul is not satisfied. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 8. For what advantage does the skilled man Have over the unskilled man, Since even this poor man knows how to keep himself alive? Ecclesiastes 6, verse 9. Better is the sight of the eyes Than the wandering of the soul. This also is vanity and is the choice of one's spirit. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 10. If anything has come to be, Its name has already been used; And it is known what man is, That he is unable to dispute with him Who is stronger than he. Ecclesiastes 6, verse 11. Since there are many words that multiply vanity, What advantage does man have? Ecclesiastes 6, verse 12. For who knows what is good for man in his life? For all his days in life, which pass like a shadow, are spent in vanity. Who can tell a man what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
Ecclesiastes 6
Old Testament text from the St. Athanasius Academy Septuagint™. Copyright © 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology. Used by permission. All rights reserved.