Ecclesiastes 2:21

New International Reader's Version

A person might use wisdom, knowledge and skill to do their work. But then they have to leave everything they own to someone who hasn’t worked for it. That doesn’t have any meaning either. In fact, it isn’t fair.

Cross References

2 Chronicles 34:2

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He lived the way King David had lived. He didn’t turn away from it to the right or the left.

2 Chronicles 35:18

The Passover Feast hadn’t been observed like that in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated a Passover Feast like Josiah’s. He celebrated it with the priests and Levites. All the people of Judah and Israel were there along with the people of Jerusalem. He celebrated it with them too.

Psalm 39:7

“Lord, what can I look forward to now? You are the only hope I have.

Psalm 49:10

Everyone can see that even wise people die. People who are foolish and who have no sense also pass away. All of them leave their wealth to others.

Psalm 49:11

Their tombs will remain their houses forever. Their graves will be their homes for all time to come. Naming lands after themselves won’t help either.

Ecclesiastes 2:20

So I began to lose hope because of all my hard work on this earth.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

I also saw that a person works hard and accomplishes a lot. But they do it only because they want what another person has. That doesn’t have any meaning either. It’s like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

A man lived all by himself. He didn’t have any sons or brothers. His hard work never ended. But he wasn’t happy with what he had. “Who am I working so hard for?” he asked. “Why don’t I get the things I enjoy?” That doesn’t have any meaning either. In fact, it’s a very bad deal!

Ecclesiastes 9:18

Wisdom is better than weapons of war. But one sinner destroys a lot of good.

Jeremiah 22:15

“Jehoiakim, does having more and more cedar boards make you a king? Your father Josiah had enough to eat and drink. He did what was right and fair. So everything went well with him.

Jeremiah 22:17

“Jehoiakim, the only thing on your mind is to get rich by cheating others. You would even kill people who are not guilty of doing anything wrong. You would mistreat them. You would take everything they own.”