Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1895

Then I saw all labour and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it.

American Standard Version (1901)

Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Common English Bible

I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing.

Catholic Public Domain Version

Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 Cross References

Genesis 26:14

and he had possessions of flocks, and possessions of herds, and a great household: and the Philistines envied him.

Genesis 31:1

And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.

Proverbs 27:4

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

For there is a man whose labour is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skilfulness; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16

There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was: yet they that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:11

Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?

Ecclesiastes 6:9

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Matthew 27:18

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him up.

Acts 7:9

And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,

James 4:5

Or think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?

1 John 3:12

not as Cain was of the evil one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his works were evil, and his brother's righteous.