1
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy upon Adam.
2
An ish to whom Elohim gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that his being lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet Elohim does not give him power to eat from it, but a stranger eats it. This is vapor, and it is an evil sickness.
3
If an ish fathers a hundred sons and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, yet his being is not satisfied with good, and he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he.
4
For it comes in vapor and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.
5
It has not seen the sun, nor known it. Yet it has more rest than that ish.
6
Even if he lives a thousand years twice over, yet does not see good— do not all go to one place?
7
All the labor of Adam is for his mouth, yet the being is not filled.
8
For what advantage does the wise have over the fool? What does the poor have who knows how to walk before the living?
9
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vapor and pursuit of wind.
10
Whatever has been has already been named, and it is known what Adam is. And he is not able to contend with One mightier than he.
11
For there are many words that increase vapor. What advantage does Adam have?
12
For who knows what is good for Adam in life during the number of the days of his vapor, which he passes like a shadow? And who can tell Adam what shall be after him under the sun?