Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
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;
18
I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes 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.
19
And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will have control over all the fruit of my toil into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.
20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun,
20
So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor 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.
21
For a person may labor with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then they must leave all they own to another who has not toiled for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
22 What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun?
22
What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under 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.
23
All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless.
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;
24
A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God,
25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?
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for without him, who can eat or find 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.
26
To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the 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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.