Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 (Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha)
View In My Bible
18
I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me;
19
and who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.
20
So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,
21
because sometimes a man who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by a man who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.
22
What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun?
23
For all his days are full of pain, and his work is a vexation; even in the night his mind does not rest. This also is vanity.
24
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God;
25
for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
26
For to the man who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha)
Free Newsletters
To receive email newsletters, updates, and special offers from BibleStudyTools, select your newsletter(s), enter your email address and hit "Subscribe".
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use