16 Heb “saw.”
17 Heb “all the toil and all the skill.” This Hebrew clause (אֶת־כָּל־עָמָל וְאֵת כָּל־כִּשְׁרוֹן, ’et-kol-’amal vé’et kol-kishron) is a nominal hendiadys (a figurative expression in which two independent phrases are used to connote the same thing). The second functions adverbially, modifying the first, which retains its full nominal function: “all the skillful work.”
18 The phrase “nothing more than” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
19 The noun קִנְאַה (qin’ah, “competition”) has a wide range of meanings: “zeal; jealousy; envy; rivalry; competition; suffering; animosity; anger; wrath” ( ; 888 ). Here, as in 9:6, it denotes “rivalry” ( 888 1) or “competitive spirit” ( 1.b). The rendered it ζῆλος (zēlos, “envy; jealousy”). The English versions reflect this broad range: “rivalry” (, , ), “envy” (, , , , , , ), and “jealousy” ().
20 Heb “a man and his neighbor.”
21 The word “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for clarity.
22 Heb “the fool folds his hands.” The Hebrew idiom means that he does not work (e.g., Prov 6:10; 24:33). In the translation the words “and does no work” (which do not appear in the Hebrew text) have been supplied following the idiom to clarify what is meant.
23 Heb “and eats his own flesh.” Most English versions render the idiom literally: “and eats/consumes his flesh” (, AS, , , , , ). However, a few versions attempt to explain the idiom: “and lets life go to ruin” (), “and wastes away” (), “and ruins himself” ().
24 Qoheleth lists three approaches to labor: (1) the competitive workaholic in 4:4, (2) the impoverished sluggard in 4:5, and (3) the contented laborer in 4:6. The balanced approach rebukes the two extremes.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.

Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Fools fold their hands

and ruin themselves.

Better one handful with tranquillity

than two handfuls with toil

and chasing after the wind.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

The fool folds his arms

and consumes his own flesh.

Better one handful with rest

than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

NLTNew Living Translation

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

“Fools fold their idle hands,

leading them to ruin.”

And yet,

“Better to have one handful with quietness

than two handfuls with hard work

and chasing the wind.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

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. This also is vanity and chasing wind!

The fool refuses to work with his hands,

so he has nothing to eat except his own skin!

Better is one handful with peace

than two fists full with toil and chasing wind.

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh. Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.

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Ecclesiastes 4:4–6

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Labor Motivated by Envy

Footnotes