Ecclesiastes 6
1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it weighs heavy on men.
Der er et Onde, jeg så under Solen, og som tynger Menneskene hårdt:
2 God might give riches, wealth, and honor to a man so that he lacks nothing that he desires for himself, but then God gives him no ability to enjoy it. Instead, someone else uses his things. This is vapor, an evil affliction.
Når Gud giver en Mand Rigdom og Gods og Ære, så han intet savner af, hvad han ønsker, og Gud ikke sætter ham i Stand til at nyde det, men en fremmed nyder det, da er dette Tomhed og en slem Lidelse.
3 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but if his heart is not satisfied with good and he is not buried, then I say that a baby that is born dead is better off than he is.
Om en Mand avler hundrede Børn og lever mange År, så hans Levetid bliver lang, men hans Sjæl ikke mættes af Goder, så siger jeg dog, at et utidigt Foster er bedre faren end han;
4 Even such a baby is born in futility and passes away in darkness, and its name remains hidden.
thi at det kommer, er Tomhed, og det går bort i Mørke, og i Mørke dølges dets Navn;
5 Although this child does not see the sun or know anything, it has rest even though that man did not.
og det har hverken set eller kendt Sol; det får end ikke en Grav; det hviler bedre end han.
6 Even if a man should live for two thousand years but does not learn to enjoy good things, he goes to the same place as everyone else.
Om han så levede to Gange tusind År, men ikke skuede Lykke - mon ikke alle farer sammesteds hen?
7 All a man's work is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.
Al Menneskets Flid tjener hans Mund, og dog stilles hans Sult aldrig.
8 Indeed, what advantage has the wise person over the fool? What advantage does the poor man have even if he knows how to act in front of other people?
Thi hvad har den vise forud for Tåben, hvad båder det den arme, der ved at vandre for de levendes Øjne?
9 It is better to be satisfied with what the eyes see than to desire what a wandering appetite craves, which is also vapor and an attempt to shepherd the wind.
Bedre at se med sine Øjne end higende Attrå. Også det er Tomhed og Jag efter Vind.
10 Whatever has existed has already been given its name, and what mankind is like has already been known. So it has become useless to dispute with the one who is the mighty judge of all.
Hvad der bliver til er for længst nævnet ved Navn, og det vides i Forvejen, hvad et Menneske bliver til; det kan ikke gå i Rette med ham, der er den stærkeste.
11 The more words that are spoken, the more futility increases, so what advantage is that to a man?
Thi jo flere Ord der bruges, des større bliver Tomheden, og hvad gavner de Mennesket?
12 For who knows what is good for man in his life during his futile, numbered days through which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come under the sun after he passes?
Thi hvo ved, hvad der båder et Menneske i Livet, det Tal af tomme Levedage han henlever som en Skygge? Thi hvo kan sige et Menneske, hvad der skal ske under Solen efter hans Død?
