Ecclesiastes 4:4 Parallel Translations

Then I saw that all hard work and skillful effort come from rivalry. Even this is pointless. It's like trying to catch the wind.(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

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.

ASV:

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.

BBE:

And I saw that the cause of all the work and of everything which is done well was man's envy of his neighbour. This again is to no purpose and a desire for wind.

DBY:

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.

ERV:

Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

JPS:

Again, I considered all labour and all excelling in work, that it is a man's rivalry with his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

WBS:

Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

WEB:

Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

YLT:

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 4:4 Cross References

XREF:

Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:21 When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

4:4 Again, I considered all labour, and every {d} right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
(d) The more perfect that the work is, the more it is envied by the wicked.

WES:

4:4 Right work - All the worthy designs of virtuous men. Envied - Instead of honour, he meets with envy and obloquy.

MHC:

4:4-6 Solomon notices the sources of trouble peculiar to well-doers, and includes all who labour with diligence, and whose efforts are crowned with success. They often become great and prosperous, but this excites envy and opposition. Others, seeing the vexations of an active course, foolishly expect more satisfaction in sloth and idleness. But idleness is a sin that is its own punishment. Let us by honest industry lay hold on the handful, that we may not want necessaries, but not grasp at both hands full, which would only create vexation of spirit. Moderate pains and gains do best.

CONC:

Achievement Benefit Cause Chasing Considered Desire Envied Envy Excelling Jealousy Labor Labour Man's Meaningless Neighbor Neighbour Purpose Pursuit Result Rivalry Skilful Skill Spirit Spring Striving Success Toil Travail Vanity Vexation Wind

Cause Chasing Considered Desire Envied Envy Excelling Labor Meaningless Neighbor Neighbour Purpose Pursuit Result Right Rivalry Skilful Skill Spirit Spring Striving Success Travail Vanity Vexation Wind 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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