Ecclesiastes 2:23 Parallel Translations

Their entire life is filled with pain, and their work is unbearable. Even at night their minds don't rest. Even this is pointless.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

ASV:

For all his days are but'sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

BBE:

All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.

DBY:

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

ERV:

For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

JPS:

For all his days are pains, and his occupation vexation; yea, even in the night his heart taketh not rest. This also is vanity.

WBS:

For all his days are sorrows, and his labor grief; yes, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

WEB:

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.

YLT:

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath not lain down; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:23 Cross References

XREF:

Job 5:7 For man is born for trouble, As sparks fly upward.

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 Because in much wisdom there is much grief, and increasing knowledge results in increasing pain.

Ecclesiastes 5:17 Throughout his life he also eats in darkness with great vexation, sickness and anger. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

WES:

2:23 Sorrows - Full of sorrows. Tho' he took great and unwearied pains all his days, yet the toils of his body were accompanied with vexation of mind. His heart - Because his sleep was broken with perplexing cares.

MHC:

2:18-26 Our hearts are very loth to quit their expectations of great things from the creature; but Solomon came to this at length. The world is a vale of tears, even to those that have much of it. See what fools they are, who make themselves drudges to the world, which affords a man nothing better than subsistence for the body. And the utmost he can attain in this respect is to allow himself a sober, cheerful use thereof, according to his rank and condition. But we must enjoy good in our labour; we must use those things to make us diligent and cheerful in worldly business. And this is the gift of God. Riches are a blessing or a curse to a man, according as he has, or has not, a heart to make a good use of them. To those that are accepted of the Lord, he gives joy and satisfaction in the knowledge and love of him. But to the sinner he allots labour, sorrow, vanity, and vexation, in seeking a worldly portion, which yet afterwards comes into better hands. Let the sinner seriously consider his latter end. To seek a lasting portion in the love of Christ and the blessings it bestows, is the only way to true and satisfying enjoyment even of this present world.

CONC:

Full Grief Grievous Heart Labor Lain Meaningless Mind Occupation Pain Painful Pains Purpose Rest Sadness Sorrow Sorrows Takes Taketh Task Travail Vanity Vexation Yea Yes

Full Grief Grievous Heart Labor Mind Night Occupation Pain Painful Pains Purpose Rest Sadness Sorrow Sorrows Task Travail Vanity Vexation Work

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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