Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Expanded Bible
Why Work So Hard?
4 I ·realized [saw; observed] the reason people ·work hard [toil] and try to succeed: They are jealous of ·each other [L their neighbors]. This, too, is useless [1:2], like chasing the wind.
5 ·Some say it is foolish to fold your hands and do nothing [L Fools fold their hands],
·because you will starve to death [L and consume their own flesh; Prov. 6:9–11; 10:4; 24:30–34].
6 ·Maybe so, but I say it is better to be content
with what little you have [L Better one handful with rest].
·Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more [L …than two handfuls with hard work/toil; Prov. 15:15; 16:8; 17:1],
and that is like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
New American Standard Bible
4 I have seen that every labor and every (A)skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is (B)futility and striving after wind. 5 The fool (C)folds his hands and (D)consumes his own flesh. 6 One hand full of rest is (E)better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
Read full chapterThe Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
