Ecclesiastes 1:2
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.(A)
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Contemporary English Version
2 Nothing makes sense!
Everything is nonsense.
I have seen it all—
nothing makes sense!
Ecclesiastes 2:21-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.(A) 22 What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun?(B) 23 For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.(C)
24 There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,(D) 25 for apart from him[a] who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one 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 chasing after wind.(E)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 2.25 Gk Syr: Heb apart from me
Ecclesiastes 2:21-26
Contemporary English Version
21 When we use our wisdom, knowledge, and skill to get what we own, why do we have to leave it to someone who didn't work for it? This is senseless and wrong. 22 What do we really gain from all of our hard work? 23 (A) Our bodies ache during the day, and work is torture. Then at night our thoughts are troubled. It just doesn't make sense.
24 (B) The best thing we can do is to enjoy eating, drinking, and working.[a] I believe these are God's gifts to us, 25 and no one enjoys eating and living more than I do. 26 (C) If we please God, he will make us wise, understanding, and happy. But if we sin, God will make us struggle for a living, then he will give all we own to someone who pleases him. This makes no more sense than chasing the wind.[b]
Read full chapterNew Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.