Ecclesiastes
Chapter
6
1~~I
have seen another evil under the sun . . . and it weighs heavily
upon men.
{God
is the Provider of True Prosperity}
2~~God
gives a man wealth . . . possession . . . and honor . . .
so
he lacks nothing that his right lobe desires.
But
God does not enable them to enjoy them
{that is apart from doctrine in the man's own soul}.
But
a stranger enjoys them instead . . .
this
is meaningless . . .
a
grievous evil.
3
Even if a man beget an hundred children . . .
and
live many years.
No
matter how many the days of his years may come to,
if
his gullet is not sated through his wealth, I say,
"The
stillbirth . . .
though
it was not even accorded a burial . . .
is
more fortunate than he."
4-6
Thought it comes into futility
and
departs into darkness,
and
its very name is covered with darkness, 5
though
it has never seen or experienced the sun,
it
is better off than he . . . 6
yes,
even if the other lived a thousand years . . . twice over
but
never had his fill of enjoyment!
7
All of man's earnings if for the sake of his mouth,
yet
his gullet is not sated.
8 What advantage then has the wise man over the fool?
What advantage has the pauper who knows how to get on in life?
9~~What
the eyes see . . .
is
better than what the soul lusts for . . .
this
also is meaningless
and
chasing after the wind.
10
Whatever happens,
it
was designated long ago
and
it was known that it would happen.
As
for man,
he
cannot contend with what is stronger than he.
11 Often, much talk means futility/meaninglessness.
How does it benefit a man?
12
Who can possibly know what is best for a man to do in life . . .
the
few days of his fleeting life?
For who can tell him what the future holds for him under the sun?
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