Ecclesiastes 6

1There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily upon humanity: 2a person to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, lacking nothing for their appetite of all that they desire, yet God does not empower them to enjoy it; rather, a stranger enjoys it. This is vapor and a grievous sickness.

3If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years—however many the days of his years may be—but his appetite is not satisfied with good things, and he receives no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4For it comes in vapor and goes away in darkness, and its name is covered in darkness. 5Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, it has more rest than he. 6Even if he lives twice a thousand years but sees no good thing—do not all go to one place?

7All human labor is for the mouth, yet the appetite is not filled. 8For what advantage does the wise have over the fool? What advantage does the poor person have, knowing how to conduct themselves before the living? 9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite. This too is vapor and a chasing after wind.

10Whatever has been already has its name, and it is known that it is human; nor can anyone contend with one stronger than they are. 11For there are many words that increase vapor. What advantage is there for anyone? 12For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the numbered days of their vaporous life, which they spend like a shadow? For who can tell a person what will be after them under the sun?