1Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth,
and it weighs heavily on people:

2God gives a man riches, property, and wealth
so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires,
yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor –
instead, someone else enjoys it!
This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.

3Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years –
even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity –
even if he were to live forever –
I would say, “A stillborn child is better off than he is!”

4Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness,
though its name is shrouded in darkness,

5though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything,
yet it has more rest than that man –

6if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity.
For both of them die!

7All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach –
yet his appetite is never satisfied!

8So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool?
And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive?

9It is better to be content with what the eyes can see
than for one’s heart always to crave more.
This continual longing is futile – like chasing the wind.

The Futile Way Life Works

10Whatever has happened was foreordained,
and what happens to a person was also foreknown.
It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate
because God is more powerful than he is.

11The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes.
How does that benefit him?

12For no one knows what is best for a person during his life –
during the few days of his fleeting life –
for they pass away like a shadow.
Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.