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Ecclesiastes 2:17–18

17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for oall is vanity and a striving after wind.

The Vanity of Toil

18 I hated yall my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must zleave it to the man who will come after me,

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Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — The New International Version (NIV)

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — New Living Translation (NLT)

17 So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

18 I came to hate all my hard work here on earth, for I must leave to others everything I have earned.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

17 Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — New Century Version (NCV)

17 So I hated life. It made me sad to think that everything here on earth is useless, like chasing the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had worked for here on earth, because I must leave them to someone who will live after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — American Standard Version (ASV)

17 So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

18 And I hated all my labor wherein I labored under the sun, seeing that I must leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

17 And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind. 18 And I hated all my labour wherewith I had been toiling under the sun, because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

17 So I came to hate life because everything done under the sun seemed wrong to me. Everything was pointless. ⸤It was like⸥ trying to catch the wind. 

18 I came to hate everything for which I had worked so hard under the sun, because I will have to leave it to the person who replaces me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

18 I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to those who come after me

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

17 So I hated life because the work done under the sun is grievous to me. For everything is vanity and chasing wind!

18 So I hated all my toil with which I have toiled under the sun, for I must leave it behind to someone who will be after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

17 So I hated life. That’s because the work that is done on this earth made me sad. None of it has any meaning. It’s like chasing the wind.

18 I hated everything I had worked for on earth. I’ll have to leave all of it to someone who lives after me.

Ecclesiastes 2:17–18 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

17 So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me.


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