Ecclesiastes 6

₁There is something wrong that I have seen in this world and it is difficult for us to understand it. ₂God makes some people become rich and He is good to them and other people respect them. They have everything that they want, but God does not let them enjoy the things they have, and then someone else comes and takes them and enjoys them. This is not how it should be. It is very bad.

₃If a man has 100 children and he lives for a long time and becomes very old, but he can not enjoy the good things that God gave him, what does it help? If he is not happy or if there is not one of his children who comes to bury him, then I say: A baby who dies before he is born is happier than that man. ₄Because for a baby to die before he is born is not as it should be. It stays dark for him and he goes away and no one knows his name. ₅He did not see the sun and he never knew anything, but he finds more rest than that man. ₆If a man like that should live for 2 000 years but he can not enjoy the good things, the dead baby will have more rest when we all go to the place where dead people go. ₇People work hard to get food to eat, but they never get enough. ₈Some people have wisdom, but they are no better off or no happier than fools. And poor people who know how to live right among other people are no better off or no happier. ₉It is better to be happy with the things that you have than to long for things that you don't have. Also this is useless. It is like trying to catch the wind.

₁₀Long ago God said what will happen now. Everyone knows what people are like. We can not argue with God or take Him to court. God is stronger than we are. ₁₁People say a lot of things, but they are worthless. Things are not as they should be. ₁₂No one knows what is the best for us while we live. Our lives are worthless and short. They pass quickly like shadows. No one can say what will happen in this world after he has died.