Lectionary Calendar
Friday, November 1st, 2024
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
the Week of Proper 25 / Ordinary 30
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Read the Bible
The NET Bible®
Ecclesiastes 4:7
So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
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Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
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- TheDevotionals:
- EveryParallel Translations
New Living Translation
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
Update Bible Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
New Century Version
Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
Webster's Bible Translation
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
World English Bible
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Amplified Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
English Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
I bihelde and foond also another vanytee vndir the sunne;
I bihelde and foond also another vanytee vndir the sunne;
English Revised Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Berean Standard Bible
Again, I saw futility under the sun.
Again, I saw futility under the sun.
Contemporary English Version
Once again I saw that nothing on earth makes sense.
Once again I saw that nothing on earth makes sense.
American Standard Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Bible in Basic English
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then I turned my attention to something else under the sun that is pointless:
Then I turned my attention to something else under the sun that is pointless:
Darby Translation
And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Easy-to-Read Version
Again I saw something else that didn't make sense:
Again I saw something else that didn't make sense:
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
King James Version (1611)
Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
New Life Bible
Then I looked again at what is of no use under the sun.
Then I looked again at what is of no use under the sun.
New Revised Standard
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Geneva Bible (1587)
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
George Lamsa Translation
Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Good News Translation
I have noticed something else in life that is useless.
I have noticed something else in life that is useless.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then again, I, looked at a vain thing under the sun: -
Then again, I, looked at a vain thing under the sun: -
Douay-Rheims Bible
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Revised Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
Christian Standard Bible®
Again, I saw futility under the sun:
Again, I saw futility under the sun:
Hebrew Names Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Lexham English Bible
I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
Literal Translation
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Young's Literal Translation
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Morouer, I turned me, and beholde yet another vanite vnder the Sonne.
Morouer, I turned me, and beholde yet another vanite vnder the Sonne.
THE MESSAGE
I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.
I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.
New American Standard Bible
Then I looked again at futility under the sun.
Then I looked again at futility under the sun.
New King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Contextual Overview
7 So I again considered another futile thing on earth: 8 A man who is all alone with no companion, he has no children nor siblings; yet there is no end to all his toil, and he is never satisfied with riches. He laments, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is futile and a burdensome task! 9 Two people are better than one, because they can reap more benefit from their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will help his companion up, but pity the person who falls down and has no one to help him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together, they can keep each other warm, but how can one person keep warm by himself? 12 Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Ecclesiastes 4:1, Psalms 78:33, Zechariah 1:6
Reciprocal: Psalms 39:6 - surely Ecclesiastes 1:3 - under Ecclesiastes 8:9 - this Ecclesiastes 10:5 - an evil
Cross-References
Genesis 3:16
To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you."
To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your labor pains; with pain you will give birth to children. You will want to control your husband, but he will dominate you."
Genesis 4:6
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry, and why is your expression downcast?
Genesis 4:8
Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he replied, "I don't know! Am I my brother's guardian?"
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" And he replied, "I don't know! Am I my brother's guardian?"
Genesis 4:10
But the Lord said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!
But the Lord said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground!
Genesis 4:11
So now, you are banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
So now, you are banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
Genesis 4:12
When you try to cultivate the ground it will no longer yield its best for you. You will be a homeless wanderer on the earth."
When you try to cultivate the ground it will no longer yield its best for you. You will be a homeless wanderer on the earth."
Genesis 4:13
Then Cain said to the Lord , "My punishment is too great to endure!
Then Cain said to the Lord , "My punishment is too great to endure!
Genesis 19:21
"Very well," he replied, "I will grant this request too and will not overthrow the town you mentioned.
"Very well," he replied, "I will grant this request too and will not overthrow the town you mentioned.
Numbers 32:23
"But if you do not do this, then look, you will have sinned against the Lord . And know that your sin will find you out.
"But if you do not do this, then look, you will have sinned against the Lord . And know that your sin will find you out.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Another vanity besides what he had taken notice of, and is as follows. Aben Ezra's note is,
"I turned from considering the words of this fool, and I saw another fool, the reverse of the former.''
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
A second - Any one associated or connected with him.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.”
