Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Loneliness of Wealth
4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend.(A) This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.(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)
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6
International Standard Version
4 Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others.[a] This also is pointless and chasing after the wind. 5 The fool crosses his arms[b] and starves himself.[c] 6 It’s better to have one handful of tranquility than to have two handfuls of trouble and to chase after the wind.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 4:4 Lit. envy of a man by his neighbor
- Ecclesiastes 4:5 Lit. folds his hands
- Ecclesiastes 4:5 Lit. eats his own flesh
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