Ecclesiastes 4:8

New International Reader's Version

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!

Cross References

Genesis 2:18

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

Psalm 39:6

People are only shadows as they go here and there. They rush around, but it doesn’t mean anything. They pile up wealth, but they don’t know who will finally get it.

Psalm 39:7

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

Proverbs 27:20

Death and the Grave are never satisfied. People’s eyes are never satisfied either.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

I decided to study things carefully. I used my wisdom to check everything out. I looked into everything that is done on earth. What a heavy load God has put on human beings!

Ecclesiastes 1:8

All things are tiresome. They are more tiresome than anyone can say. But our eyes never see enough of anything. Our ears never hear enough.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

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.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

As long as they live, their work is nothing but pain and sorrow. Even at night their minds can’t rest. That doesn’t have any meaning either.

Ecclesiastes 4:7

Again I saw something on earth that didn’t mean anything.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Anyone who loves money never has enough. Anyone who loves wealth is never satisfied with what they get. That doesn’t have any meaning either.

Ecclesiastes 5:9

All of them take what the land produces. And the king himself takes his share from the fields.

Isaiah 5:8

How terrible it will be for you who get too many houses! How terrible for you who get too many fields! Finally there won’t be any space left in the land. Then you will live all alone.

Isaiah 55:2

Why spend money on what is not food? Why work for what does not satisfy you? Listen carefully to me. Then you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the richest food there is.

Matthew 11:28

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

Luke 12:20

“But God said to him, ‘You foolish man! Tonight I will take your life away from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

1 John 2:16

Here is what people who belong to this world do. They try to satisfy what their sinful desires want to do. They long for what their sinful eyes look at. They take pride in what they have and what they do. All of this comes from the world. None of it comes from the Father.