Ecclesiastes 2:1

New Living Translation

I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.

Cross References

Genesis 11:7

Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”

2 Kings 5:5

“Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.” So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing.

Psalm 10:6

They think, “Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!”

Psalm 14:1

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

Psalm 27:8

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Proverbs 14:13

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.

Ecclesiastes 11:9

Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Ecclesiastes 2:10

Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors.

Ecclesiastes 2:15

Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!”

Ecclesiastes 2:25

For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

Ecclesiastes 7:4

A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

Isaiah 5:5

Now let me tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will tear down its hedges and let it be destroyed. I will break down its walls and let the animals trample it.

Isaiah 50:11

But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.

Isaiah 50:5

The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.

Luke 12:19

And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

Luke 16:19

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.

Luke 16:23

and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.

Titus 3:3

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.

James 4:13

Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”

James 5:1

Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.

James 5:5

You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.