1 T here is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:

2 a man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3 I f a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.

If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul be not filled with good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he:

4 F or he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

5 M oreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other.

moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath rest rather than the other:

6 Y ea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and yet enjoy no good, do not all go to one place?

7 A ll the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8 F or what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or what hath the poor man, that knoweth how to walk before the living?

9 B etter is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10 T hat 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.

Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

11 S eeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12 F or who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?