The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Ecclesiastes 6

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Ecclesiastes chapter 6 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:” — the complete text of all 12 verses is below, free to read online.

1There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon men:

2a man to whom G-d giveth riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet G-d giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

3If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul have not enough of good, and moreover he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he;

4for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

5moreover it hath not seen the sun nor known it; this hath gratification rather than the other;

6yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, and enjoy no good; do not all go to one place?

7All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled.

8For what advantage hath the wise more than the fool? or the poor man that hath understanding, in walking before the living?

9Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

10Whatsoever cometh into being, the name thereof was given long ago, and it is foreknown what man is; neither can he contend with Him that is mightier than he.

11Seeing there are many words that increase vanity, what is man the better?

12For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

12 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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