Ecclesiastes 6:4

6:4 Though the stillborn child ¹  came into the world ²  for no reason ³  and departed into darkness,

though its name is shrouded in darkness, ⁴ 

Ecclesiastes 5:16

5:16 This is another misfortune: ⁵ 

Just as he came, so will he go.

What did he gain from toiling for the wind?

[6:4]  ¹ tn Heb “he”; the referent (“the stillborn child”) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[6:4]  ² tn The phrase “into the world” does not appear in Hebrew, but is added in the translation for clarity.

[6:4]  ³ sn The birth of the stillborn was in vain – it did it no good to be born.

[6:4]  ⁴ sn The name of the stillborn is forgotten.

[5:16]  ⁵ tn See the note on the phrase “depressing misfortune” in v. 13.