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Ecclesiastes 4:6

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4:6Better is one handful with some rest

than two hands full of toil24 and chasing the wind.

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Footnotes

  1. 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

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

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Better one handful with tranquillity

than two handfuls with toil

and chasing after the wind.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Better one handful with rest

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

NLTNew Living Translation

And yet,

“Better to have one handful with quietness

than two handfuls with hard work

and chasing the wind.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Better is one handful with peace

than two fists full with toil and chasing wind.

KJV 1900King James Version

Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.