So I said to myself, ‘What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise? ’ And I said to myself that this is also futile.
Ecclesiastes 6:11 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind? Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Seeing that there are [all these and] many other things and words that increase the emptiness, falsity, vainglory, and futility [of living], what profit and what outcome is there for man? American Standard Version (1901) Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? Common English Bible Because the more words increase, the more everything is pointless. What do people gain by it? Catholic Public Domain Version There are many words, and many of these, in disputes, hold much emptiness. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version There are many words that have much vanity in disputing. |
So I said to myself, ‘What happens to the fool will also happen to me. Why then have I been overly wise? ’ And I said to myself that this is also futile.
For the fate of the children of Adam and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath. People have no advantage over animals since everything is futile.
There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. ‘Who am I struggling for,’ he asks, ‘and depriving myself of good things? ’ This too is futile and a miserable task.
For many dreams bring futility; so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
Whatever exists was given its name long ago, , and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one who is stronger than he is.
For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?
Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and violence. He makes a covenant with Assyria, and olive oil is carried to Egypt.