Ecclesiastes 8:16

Modern English Version

When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to observe the business that is done on earth, while day and night there is no sleep for one’s eyes,

Cross References

Genesis 31:40

It was like this with me: In the day the heat consumed me and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.

Psalm 127:2

It is in vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrowful toil; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

I set my heart to seek and to investigate with wisdom everything that is done under heaven. It is a burdensome task that God has given to humanity to be occupied with.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen everything that is done under the sun; and behold, everything is vanity and like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:17

And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know the folly of ideas, and to know foolish behavior. I know that this as well is like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

All his days are sorrowful, and his work is a vexation. Even at night his heart finds no rest. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

There is a person who is alone, having neither son nor brother; there is not an end to all his toil, and his eyes are not satisfied with riches. He asks, “For whom do I labor and cause my life to lack good things?” This also is vanity and a burdensome task.

Ecclesiastes 5:12

Sweet is the sleep of one who works hard, whether he eats little or much; but due to the excess of the rich, there will be no sleep for him.

Ecclesiastes 7:25

And I turned my heart to know and seek and search out wisdom in the scheme of things and to know the wickedness of folly, and that foolishness is madness.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he does not know what is to be, for who can declare to him what is to come?

Ecclesiastes 8:9

All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man rules over others to their hurt.