Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Christian Standard Bible
The Loneliness of Wealth
4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another.(A) This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.[a](B)
5 The fool folds his arms(C)
and consumes his own flesh.(D)
6 Better one handful with rest
than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.(E)
Footnotes
- 4:4 Or a feeding on wind, or an affliction of spirit; also in vv. 6,16
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Lexham English Bible
People Need Balance in Their Approach to Labor
4 I also realized that all of the toil and all of the skillful work that is done—it is envy between one man and another.[a] This also is vanity and chasing wind!
5 The fool refuses to work with his hands,
so he has nothing to eat except his own skin![b]
6 Better is one handful with peace
than two fists full with toil and chasing wind.
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 Literally “his friend”
- Ecclesiastes 4:5 Literally “The fool folds his hands and eats his flesh”
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