NET Bible
"Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,"
— Ecclesiastes 6:4, NET Bible
“For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.”
“for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness; ”
“for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.”
“For he came in vain, and goeth to darkness, and his name shall be wholly forgotten.”
“In wind it came and to the dark it will go, and with the dark will its name be covered.”
“For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.”
Not Everyone Enjoys Life Here is another misfortune that I have seen on earth, and it weighs heavily on people:
God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor– instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.
Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years– even if he lives a long, long time, but cannot enjoy his prosperity– even if he were to live forever– I would say,“A stillborn child is better off than he is!”
Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,
though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man–
if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die!
All of man’s labor is for nothing more than to fill his stomach– yet his appetite is never satisfied!