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
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from one person’s envy of another. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.(A)
5 Fools fold their hands
and consume their own flesh.(B)
6 Better is a handful with quiet
than two handfuls with toil
and a chasing after wind.(C)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New 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.