Ecclesiastes 4:4

God's Word

Then I saw that all hard work and skillful effort come from rivalry. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Cross References

Genesis 26:14

Because he owned so many flocks, herds, and servants, the Philistines became jealous of him.

Genesis 31:1

Jacob heard that Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything that belonged to our father and has gained all his wealth from him.”

Proverbs 27:4

Anger is cruel, and fury is overwhelming, but who can survive jealousy?

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun. Look at it! It’s all pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

I’ve used my mind to understand wisdom and knowledge as well as madness and stupidity. ⌞Now⌟ I know that this is ⌞like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

Here is someone who had worked hard with wisdom, knowledge, and skill. Yet, he must turn over his estate to someone else, who didn’t work for it. Even this is pointless and a terrible tragedy.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him. But to the person who continues to sin, he gives the job of gathering and collecting ⌞wealth⌟. The sinner must turn his wealth over to the person who pleases God. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16

There was no end to all those people, everyone whom he led. But those who will come later will not be happy with the successor. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:11

The more words there are, the more pointless they become. What advantage do mortals gain from this?

Ecclesiastes 6:9

It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

Matthew 27:18

Pilate knew that they had handed Jesus over to him because they were jealous.

Acts 7:9

“Jacob’s sons were jealous of their brother Joseph. They sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt. But God was with Joseph

James 4:5

Do you think this passage means nothing? It says, “The Spirit that lives in us wants us to be his own.”

1 John 3:12

Don’t be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God’s approval.