Add parallel Print Page Options

10 Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. 11 For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

Read full chapter

10 Whatever exists has been named already;[a]
    people know what it means[b] to be human—
        and a person cannot defeat one who is more powerful than he.
11 Because many words lead to pointlessness,
    how do people benefit from this?

12 Who knows what is best for people in this life, every day of their pointless lives that they pass through[c] like a shadow? Who informs people on earth what will come along after them?

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 6:10 I.e. its destiny is known
  2. Ecclesiastes 6:10 Lit. already; it is known
  3. Ecclesiastes 6:12 Or they spend