Ecclesiastes 2:17 - Revised Standard Version (RSV-CI)

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

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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.

Common English Bible

¹⁷ So I hated life, because the things that happen under the sun were troublesome to me. Definitely, everything is pointless—just wind chasing.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁷ And, because of this, my life wearied me, since I saw that everything under the sun is evil, and everything is empty and an affliction of the spirit.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁷ And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Ecclesiastes 2:17 Cross References

1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers.”

Job 14:13

Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, that thou wouldest conceal me until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

Psalm 89:47

Remember, O Lord, what the measure of life is, for what vanity thou hast created all the sons of men!

Ecclesiastes 1:14

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

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I applied my mind to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had spent in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:22

What has a man from all the toil and strain with which he toils beneath the sun?

Ecclesiastes 3:16

Moreover I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

Ecclesiastes 4:2

And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive;

Ecclesiastes 4:3

but better than both is he who has not yet been, and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

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

Ezekiel 3:14

The Spirit lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit, the hand of the Lord being strong upon me;

Jonah 4:3

Therefore now, O Lord, take my life from me, I beseech thee, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Jonah 4:8

When the sun rose, God appointed a sultry east wind, and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah so that he was faint; and he asked that he might die, and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”

Habakkuk 1:3

Why dost thou make me see wrongs and look upon trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

Numbers 11:15

If thou wilt deal thus with me, kill me at once, if I find favor in thy sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”