⁷All of a person’s labour is for his stomach, ,[#6:7 Lit mouth; #6:7 Pr 16:26]

yet the appetite is never satisfied.

⁸What advantage then does the wise person have over the fool? What advantage is there for the poor person who knows how to conduct himself before others?[#6:8 Ec 2:15]

⁹Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. ,[#6:9 Ec 11:9; #6:9 Or a feeding on wind , or an affliction of spirit; #6:9 Ec 1:14]

¹⁰Whatever exists was given its name long ago, , and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one who is stronger than he is.[#6:10 Lit name already; #6:10 Gn 2:19; Ec 1:9–10; 3:15; #6:10 Jb 9:32; Is 45:9]

¹¹For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for mankind?[#6:11 Pr 10:19; Mt 6:7]

¹²For who knows what is good for anyone in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell anyone what will happen after him under the sun?[#6:12 Ec 3:22]