1 ¶ There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:

2 God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he does not lack anything his soul desires, yet God does not allow him to enjoy it, but a stranger enjoys it: this is vanity, and it a painful evil.

3 If a man fathers one hundred children, and lives for many years, however long he may live, if his soul is not filled with good, and he is not buried; I say, that one born dead is better off than he.

4 For he comes in futility, and goes away in darkness, and darkness will hide his name.

5 And he never sees or knows the sun: this one has more rest than the other.

6 Yea, even though he lives for a thousand years twice over, without seeing prosperity: do not all go to one place?

7 ¶ All the work a man does is for his mouth, and yet his appetite is not satisfied.

8 For what advantage does the wise man have over the fool? what advantage does the poor man have, if he knows how to conduct himself before others?

9 It is better to enjoy what the eyes see than to wander after desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

10 Whatever exists was named long ago, and who man is, is known: and he is not able to contend with one who is mightier than he.

11 ¶ For when there are many words they increase vanity, so how is man better off?

12 For who knows what is good for a man in this life, all the days of his futile life which he spends as a shadow? for who can tell a man what will be under the sun after he is gone?