Ecclesiastes 4:4

2 ^aTherefore I praised the dead who were already dead,
More than the living who are still alive.

3 ^aYet, better than both is he who has never existed,
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

The Vanity of Selfish Toil

4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

5 ^aThe fool folds his hands
And consumes his own flesh.

6 ^aBetter a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.

7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

8 There is one alone, without¹ companion:
He has neither son nor brother.
Yet there is no end to all his labors,
Nor is his ^aeye satisfied with riches.
But ^bhe never asks,
“For whom do I toil and deprive myself of ^cgood?”
This also is vanity and a¹ grave misfortune.

The Value of a Friend

9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.

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Ecclesiastes 4:5 >>

Definitions of words in Ecclesiastes 4:4:

Again {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

All {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

Also {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

By {Easton's Bible Dictionary}
By {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

For {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

His {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

Man {Easton's Bible Dictionary}
Man {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

Neighbor {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

Saw {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

Wind {International Standard Bible Encyclopedia}

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The Vanity of Selfish Toil

The Value of a Friend

A Verse and a Thought,Every Morning

A Verse and a Thought,
Every Morning