Parallel Verses
Holman Bible
I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend.
New American Standard Bible
I have seen that every labor and every
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.
International Standard Version
Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.
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
I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Darby Translation
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.
Julia Smith Translation
And I saw all the labor and all the success of the work, for this the jealousy of a man from his neighbor. Also this is vanity and striving of spirit.
King James 2000
Again, I considered all toil, and every skillful work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and grasping after the wind.
Lexham Expanded Bible
I also realized that all [of the] toil and all [of] the skillful work that is done--it [is] envy between one man and {another}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Modern King James verseion
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.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Again, I saw that all travail and diligence of labour was hated of every man. This is also a vain thing, and a vexation of mind.
NET Bible
Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless -- like chasing the wind.
New Heart English 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.
The Emphasized Bible
Then saw, I, all the toil and all the skill of the work, that, for this, a man was envied of his neighbour, - even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Webster
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.
World English 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.
Youngs 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.
Topics
Interlinear
Ra'ah
`amal
Rea`
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 4:4
Verse Info
Context Readings
People Need Balance In Their Approach To Labor
3
But better than either of them is the one who has not yet existed,
and consumes his own flesh.
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:21
When there is a man whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill,
Genesis 4:4-8
And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.
Genesis 37:2-11
These are the family records of Jacob.
At 17 years of age, Joseph tended sheep with his brothers. The young man was working with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives,
1 Samuel 18:8-9
Saul was furious and resented this song.
1 Samuel 18:14-16
and continued to be successful in all his activities because the Lord was with him.
1 Samuel 18:29-30
and he became even more afraid of David. As a result, Saul was David’s enemy from then on.
Proverbs 27:4
but who can withstand jealousy?
Ecclesiastes 2:26
For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy,
Ecclesiastes 4:16
There is no limit to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better what the eyes see than wandering desire.
Ecclesiastes 6:11
For when there are many words, they increase futility.
Matthew 27:18
For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy.
Acts 7:9
“The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God was with him
James 4:5
Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously?
1 John 3:12
unlike Cain,