Ecclesiastes 4:4
“¶ Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
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Ecclesiastes 4:4 Context
2Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead, more then the liuing which are yet aliue. 3Yea better is he then both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seene the euill worke that is done vnder the Sunne. 4¶ Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit. 5The foole foldeth his hands together, and eateth his owne flesh. 6Better is an handfull with quietnesse, then both the hands full with trauell and vexation of spirit.
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Other Translations for Ecclesiastes 4:4
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.
- King James Version
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 American Standard Version (1995)
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.
- American Standard Version (1901)
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.
- Basic English Bible
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.
- Darby Bible
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.
- Webster's Bible
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.
- World English Bible
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.
- Youngs Literal Bible
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.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible
Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 4:4
4:4 Right work - All the worthy designs of virtuous men. Envied - Instead of honour, he meets with envy and obloquy.