Ecclesiastes 4:8

New Century Version

I saw a man who had no family, no son or brother. He always worked hard but was never satisfied with what he had. He never asked himself, “For whom am I working so hard? Why don’t I let myself enjoy life?” This also is very sad and useless.

Cross References

1 John 2:16

These are the ways of the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world.

Proverbs 27:20

People will never stop dying and being destroyed, and they will never stop wanting more than they have.

Luke 12:20

“But God said to him, ‘Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?’

Ecclesiastes 1:8

Everything is boring, so boring that you don’t even want to talk about it. Words come again and again to our ears, but we never hear enough, nor can we ever really see all we want to see.

Matthew 11:28

“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

I decided to use my wisdom to learn about everything that happens on earth. I learned that God has given us terrible things to face.

Isaiah 5:8

How terrible it will be for you who add more houses to your houses and more fields to your fields until there is no room left for other people. Then you are left alone in the land.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Whoever loves money will never have enough money; Whoever loves wealth will not be satisfied with it. This is also useless.

Psalm 39:6

People are like shadows moving about. All their work is for nothing; they collect things but don’t know who will get them.

Genesis 2:18

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him.”

Isaiah 55:2

Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn’t really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

All of their lives their work is full of pain and sorrow, and even at night their minds don’t rest. This is also useless.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

People can work hard using all their wisdom, knowledge, and skill, but they will die, and other people will get the things for which they worked. They did not do the work, but they will get everything. This is also unfair and useless.

Ecclesiastes 4:7

Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:

Psalm 39:7

“So, Lord, what hope do I have? You are my hope.

Ecclesiastes 5:9

The wealth of the country is divided up among them all. Even the king makes sure he gets his share of the profits.