Ecclesiastes 4:8

New Living Translation

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Cross References

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 just right for him.”

Psalm 39:6

We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it.

Psalm 39:7

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.

Proverbs 27:20

Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race.

Ecclesiastes 1:8

Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 4:7

I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

Ecclesiastes 5:9

Even the king milks the land for his own profit!

Isaiah 5:8

What sorrow for you who buy up house after house and field after field, until everyone is evicted and you live alone in the land.

Isaiah 55:2

Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.

Matthew 11:28

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Luke 12:20

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

1 John 2:16

For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.