1There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind: 2a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honour, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity;6:2 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapour” or “mere breath”; also verses 4, 9, 11 (see note on 1:2) it is a grievous evil. 3If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. 4For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered. 5Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he. 6Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy6:6 Or see no good—do not all go to the one place?

7All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.6:7 Hebrew filled 8For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. 11The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man? 12For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain6:12 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapour” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2) life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?