He acquired livestock of sheep and livestock of cattle, and numerous servants. Then the Philistines envied him.
Ecclesiastes 4:4 - Tree of Life Version Then I saw that all toil and all skill that is done come from man’s envy of his neighbor; this too is fleeting and striving after the wind. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Then I saw that all painful effort in labor and all skill in work comes from man's rivalry with his neighbor. This is also vanity, a vain striving after the wind and a feeding on it. American Standard Version (1901) Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. Common English Bible I also observed that people work hard and become good at what they do only out of mutual envy. This too is pointless, just wind chasing. Catholic Public Domain Version Again, I was contemplating all the labors of men. And I took notice that their endeavors are open to the envy of their neighbor. And so, in this, too, there is emptiness and superfluous anxiety. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care. |
He acquired livestock of sheep and livestock of cattle, and numerous servants. Then the Philistines envied him.
Now Jacob heard the words Laban’s sons were saying, “Jacob has taken everything that belongs to our father, and from what belongs to our father he has made all these riches.”
Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
I have seen all the deeds done under the sun; and behold, all is meaningless and chasing after the wind.
So I applied my heart to know wisdom as well as to know madness and folly. I learned that this too was pursuit of the wind.
For sometimes a man, who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, must hand over as an inheritance to someone who did not work for it. This also is futile and a great misfortune.
For to the one who pleases Him, He gives wisdom, knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He gives the task of gathering and accumulating wealth to give it to one who pleases God. This also is only vapor and striving after the wind.
There is no end to all the people—to all who were before him. Also those who will come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this too is meaningless and striving after the wind.
When there are many words, futility increases! How does that benefit anyone?
Better is what the eyes see than the pursuit of the soul’s desires. This too is fleeting and striving after wind.
The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him.
Or do you think that in vain the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit which He made to dwell in us”?
Do not be like Cain, who was from the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, while his brother’s were righteous.