Ecclesiastes 2:18 kjva — Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after…

King James Version with Apocrypha

"Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me."

— Ecclesiastes 2:18, King James Version with Apocrypha

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Ecclesiastes 2:18 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

15

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

16

For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

17

Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

18

Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.

19

And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.

20

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

21

For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Ecclesiastes 2:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 2:18 say?
Ecclesiastes 2:18 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 2:18 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 2:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 2, verse 18.
Who wrote Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon (traditional; identified as "the Preacher, son of David"). It was written c. 940 BC.
What is the book of Ecclesiastes about?
Ecclesiastes is a candid meditation on life "under the sun" — its pleasures, its pains, and its apparent vanity. The Preacher tries wisdom, wealth, work, and pleasure, finds them all empty without God, and concludes that fearing God and keeping his commandments is the whole of man.
What are the major themes of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes explores themes including Vanity, Time, Meaning, Fear of God, Mortality. These themes shape the meaning and context of Ecclesiastes 2:18.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 2:18 in?
Ecclesiastes 2:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Ecclesiastes 2:18?
Ecclesiastes 2:18 reads (KJVA): “Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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