New International Reader's Version

Ecclesiastes 6:1-6 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

1. I've seen another evil thing on this earth. And it's a heavy load on men.

2. God gives a man wealth, possessions and honor. He has everything his heart longs for. But God doesn't let him enjoy those things. Instead, strangers enjoy them. That doesn't have any meaning. It's a very evil thing.

3. A man might have a hundred children. He might live a long time. But suppose he can't enjoy his wealth. And suppose he isn't buried in the proper way. Then it doesn't matter how long he lives. I'm telling you that a baby that is born dead is better off than he is.

4. That kind of birth doesn't have any meaning. The baby dies in darkness and leaves this world. And in darkness it is forgotten.

5. It didn't even see the sun. It didn't know anything at all. But it has more rest than that man does.

6. And that's true even if he lives for 2,000 years but doesn't get to enjoy his wealth. All people die and go to the grave, don't they?