unfoldingWord_en_tn/ecc/06/09.md

# what the eyes see

A person can see these things because he already has them. AT: "what a person has" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# to desire what a wandering appetite craves

This refers to things that a person wants but does not have. AT: "to want what he does not have" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# vapor ... an attempt to shepherd the wind

These two phrases are both metaphors that emphasize the idea of things being useless and futile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

# vapor

"mist." The author speaks of things as being useless and meaningless as if they were vapor. See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:14](../01/12.md). AT: "as useless as vapor" or "meaningless" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# an attempt to shepherd the wind

The author speaks of everything that people do as being useless as if they were trying to control the wind. See how you translated this in [Ecclesiastes 1:14](../01/12.md). AT: "are as useless as trying to control the wind" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# Whatever has existed has already been given its name

This can be stated in active form. AT: "People have already named everything that exists" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# what mankind is like has already been known

This can be stated in active form. AT: "people already know what mankind is like" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# the one who is the mighty judge

"God, who is the mighty judge"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/shepherd]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/mighty]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/judgeposition]]