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.^(A)

³ Now, Lord, take away my life,^(A) for it is better for me to die^(B) than to live.”^(C)

²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart^(A) and be with Christ,^(B) which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith,

⁸ When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die,^(A) and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

¹⁴ The Spirit^(A) then lifted me up^(B) and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the Lord^(C) on me.