Ecclesiastes 2:18 web — I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

World English Bible

"I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me."

— Ecclesiastes 2:18, World English Bible

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Ecclesiastes 2:18 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 2 — Context

15

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

16

For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory for ever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool!

17

So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

18

I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

19

Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity.

20

Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.

21

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. 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 World English Bible reads: “I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes 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 (WEB): “I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes 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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