Ecclesiastes 6:12

10 Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

11 For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?

For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?
KJV
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
WEB
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
ASV
For who knoweth what is good for man in [his] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
DARBY
For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
BLB
For who knows what [is] good for man in life all the days of the life of his vapor, and he makes them like a shadow? For who can declare to man what will come to be after him under the sun?
ÅB
For hvem vet hva som gagner et menneske i livet, i alle hans tomme levedager, dem han tilbringer som en skygge? For hvem kan si et menneske hva som skal hende under solen etter hans tid?
[^1]: JBS 30, 23.
[^2]: av Gud.
OTB
For hvem vet hva som er godt for en person i livet, i løpet av de få og fåfengte dager de går som en skygge? Hvem kan fortelle dem hva som vil skje under solen etter at de er borte?
B1930
For hvem vet hvad som gagner et menneske i livet, i alle hans tomme levedager, dem han tilbringer som en skygge? For hvem kan si et menneske hvad som skal hende under solen efter hans tid?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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