Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.
The Vanity of Selfish Toil
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
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.
| << Ecclesiastes 4:3 | Ecclesiastes 4:5 >> |
American Standard Version
Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Amplified® Bible
Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind {and} a feeding on it.
Contemporary English Version
Then I realized that we work and do wonderful things just because we are jealous of others. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.
Darby English Version
And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Good News Bible
I have also learned why people work so hard to succeed: it is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is useless. It is like chasing the wind.
King James Version
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
New American Standard Bible
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is {the result of} rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind.
New International Version
And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
New King James Version
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.
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
I have seen that every labor and every skill which takes place results from rivalry between a man and his neighbor This too appears like vanity and striving after wind.
Revised Standard Version
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Young's Literal Translation
And I have seen all the labour, and all the benefit of the work, because for it a man is the envy of his neighbour. Even this `is' vanity and vexation of spirit.
| << Ecclesiastes 4:3 | Ecclesiastes 4:5 >> |
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