1 There is{H3426} an evil{H7451} which I have seen{H7200}{(H8804)} under the sun{H8121}, and it is common{H7227} among men{H120}:

2 A man{H376} to whom God{H430} hath given{H5414}{(H8799)} riches{H6239}, wealth{H5233}, and honour{H3519}, so that he wanteth{H2638} nothing for his soul{H5315} of all that he desireth{H183}{(H8691)}, yet God{H430} giveth him not power{H7980}{(H8686)} to eat{H398}{(H8800)} thereof, but a stranger{H376}{H5237} eateth{H398}{(H8799)} it: this is vanity{H1892}, and it is an evil{H7451} disease{H2483}.

3 If a man{H376} beget{H3205}{(H8686)} an hundred{H3967} children, and live{H2421}{(H8799)} many{H7227} years{H8141}, so that the days{H3117} of his years{H8141} be many{H7227}, and his soul{H5315} be not filled{H7646}{(H8799)} with good{H2896}, and also that he have no burial{H6900}; I say{H559}{(H8804)}, that an untimely birth{H5309} is better{H2896} than he.

4 For he cometh{H935}{(H8804)} in with vanity{H1892}, and departeth{H3212}{(H8799)} in darkness{H2822}, and his name{H8034} shall be covered{H3680}{(H8792)} with darkness{H2822}.

5 Moreover he hath not seen{H7200}{(H8804)} the sun{H8121}, nor known{H3045}{(H8804)} any thing: this{H2088} hath more rest{H5183} than{H2088} the other.

6 Yea, though{H432} he live{H2421}{(H8804)} a thousand{H505} years{H8141} twice{H6471} told, yet hath he seen{H7200}{(H8804)} no good{H2896}: do not all go{H1980}{(H8802)} to one{H259} place{H4725}?

7 All the labour{H5999} of man{H120} is for his mouth{H6310}, and yet the appetite{H5315} is not filled{H4390}{(H8735)}.

8 For what hath the wise{H2450} more{H3148} than the fool{H3684}? what hath the poor{H6041}, that knoweth{H3045}{(H8802)} to walk{H1980}{(H8800)} before the living{H2416}?

9 Better{H2896} is the sight{H4758} of the eyes{H5869} than the wandering{H1980}{(H8800)} of the desire{H5315}: this is also vanity{H1892} and vexation{H7469} of spirit{H7307}.

10 That which hath been is named{H7121}{(H8738)}{H8034} already{H3528}, and it is known{H3045}{(H8737)} that it is man{H120}: neither may{H3201}{(H8799)} he contend{H1777}{(H8800)} with him that is mightier{H8623} than he.

11 Seeing there be{H3426} many{H7235}{(H8687)} things{H1697} that increase{H7235}{(H8688)} vanity{H1892}, what is man{H120} the better{H3148}?

12 For who knoweth{H3045}{(H8802)} what is good{H2896} for man{H120} in this life{H2416}, all{H4557} the days{H3117} of his vain{H1892} life{H2416} which he spendeth{H6213}{(H8799)} as a shadow{H6738}? for who can tell{H5046}{(H8686)} a man{H120} what shall be after{H310} him under the sun{H8121}?