Ecclesiastes 4:4
<< Ecclesiastes 4:4 >>
New International Version (©1984)
And I saw that all labor and all achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

New Living Translation (©2007)
Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless--like chasing the wind.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
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.

King James Bible
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.

American King James Version
Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

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.

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.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighhour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

Darby Bible 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.

English Revised Version
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Young's 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.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

Wesley's Notes

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

King James Translators' Notes

every...: Heb. all the rightness of work

for this...: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

4. right-rather, "prosperous" (see on [658]Ec 2:21). Prosperity, which men so much covet, is the very source of provoking oppression (Ec 4:1) and "envy," so far is it from constituting the chief good.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

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.


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)

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


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.

every or all the rightness of work, that this is the envy of a man from his neighbour Ge 4:4-8 37:2-11 1Sa 18:8,9,14-16,29,30 Pr 27:4 Mt 27:18 Ac 7:9 Jas 4:5 1Jo 3:12

this is 3:16 1:14 2:21,26 6:9,11 Ge 37:4,11

Bible Gateway: Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 Verse 4 NIV ESV NKJV NLT KJV Message Amplified

Alphabetical: a achievement after all And between chasing done envy every from have his I is labor man man's meaningless neighbor of result rivalry saw seen skill spring striving that the This too vanity which wind

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