Ecclesiastes 2:17

Toil Is Meaningless

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 in Other Translations

KJV
17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
ESV
17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.
NLT
17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
MSG
17 I hate life. As far as I can see, what happens on earth is a bad business. It's smoke - and spitting into the wind.
CSB
17 Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 In-Context

15 Then I said to myself, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?” I said to myself, “This too is meaningless.”
16 For the wise, like the fool, will not be long remembered; the days have already come when both have been forgotten. Like the fool, the wise too must die!
17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
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 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.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Ecclesiastes 1:14; Ecclesiastes 4:2
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