Hay un mal que he visto bajo el sol^a, y muy común entre¹ los hombres: 2 un hombre a quien Dios ha dado riquezas, bienes y honores^a, y nada le falta a su alma de todo lo que desea^b, pero que Dios no le ha capacitado para disfrutar¹ de ellos, porque un extraño los disfruta². Esto es vanidad y penosa aflicción. 3 Si un hombre engendra cien hijos y vive muchos años, por muchos que sean sus años¹, si su alma no se ha saciado de cosas buenas, y tampoco halla sepultura^a, entonces digo: Mejor es el abortivo que él^b, 4 porque en vano viene, y a la oscuridad va; y en la oscuridad su nombre quedará oculto. 5 Además, no ha visto el sol y nada sabe; más reposo tieneeste queaquel. 6 Aunque el hombre viva dos veces mil años, pero no disfruta de¹ cosas buenas, ¿no van todos al mismo² lugar^a?

12 Porque, ¿quién sabe lo que es bueno para el hombre durante su vida, en los contados días de su vana vida? Los pasará¹ como una sombra. Pues, ¿quién hará saber al hombre lo que sucederá después de él^a bajo el sol?

There is an ^aevil which I have seen under the sun and it is prevalent ¹among men— 2 a man to whom God has ^agiven riches and wealth and honor so that his soul ^blacks nothing of all that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner ¹enjoys them. This is ²vanity and a severe affliction. 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many ¹they be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he does not even have a proper ^aburial, then I say, “Better ^bthe miscarriage than he, 4 for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 5 It never sees the sun and it never knows anything; ¹it is better off than he. 6 Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice and does not ¹enjoy good things—^ado not all go to one place?”

7 ^aAll a man’s labor is for his mouth and yet the ¹appetite is not ²satisfied. 8 For ^awhat advantage does the wise man have over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have, knowing how to walk before the living? 9 What the eyes ^asee is better than what the soul ¹desires. This too is ^bfutility and a striving after wind.

10 Whatever ^aexists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he ^bcannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is. 11 For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man? 12 For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few ¹years of his futile life? He will ²spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man ^awhat will be after him under the sun?

There is an ^aevil which I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavily on men: 2 a man to whom God has ^agiven riches and wealth and honor, so that he ^blacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the power or capacity to enjoy them all those things which are gifts from God, but a stranger in whom he has no interest succeeds him and enjoys them. This is vanity and it is a cause of great distress. Luke 12:20 3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, however many they may be, but his soul is not satisfied with good things and he is not respected and is not given a proper ^aburial he is not laid to rest in the sepulcher of his fathers, then I say, “Better ^bthe miscarriage than he, Job 3:16 4 for the miscarriage comes in futility (in vain) and passes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. 5 It has not seen the sun nor had any knowledge; yet it has more rest and is better off than he. 6 Even if the other man lives a thousand years twice over and yet has seen no good and experienced no enjoyment—^ado not both go to one place the grave?”

7 ^aAll the labor of man is for his mouth for self-preservation and enjoyment, and yet the desire of his soul is not satisfied. Prov 16:26 8 For ^awhat advantage has the wise man over the fool for being worldly-wise is not the secret to happiness? What advantage has the poor man who has learned how to walk publicly among the living with men’s eyes on him; for being poor is not the secret to happiness either? 9 What the ^aeyes see enjoying what is available is better than craving what the soul desires. This too is ^bfutility and chasing after the wind.

10 Whatever ^aexists has already been named long ago, and it is known what a frail being man is; for he ^bcannot dispute with Him who is mightier than he. 11 For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man? 12 For who ¹limited by human wisdom knows what is good for man during his lifetime, during the few days of his futile life? He spends them like a shadow staying busy, but achieving nothing of lasting value. For who can tell a man ^awhat will happen after him to his work, his treasure, his plans under the sun after his life is over?