NET Bible
"For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!"
— Ecclesiastes 2:23, NET Bible
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”
“For all his days are but sorrows, and his travail is grief; yea, even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity. ”
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity.”
“All his days are full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?”
“All his days are sorrow, and his work is full of grief. Even in the night his heart has no rest. This again is to no purpose.”
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.”
So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.
For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; however, he must hand over the fruit of his labor as an inheritance to someone else who did not work for it. This also is futile, and an awful injustice!
Painful Days and Restless Nights What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?
For all day long his work produces pain and frustration, and even at night his mind cannot relax! This also is futile!
Enjoy Work and its Benefits There is nothing better for people than to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in their work. I also perceived that this ability to find enjoyment comes from God.
For no one can eat and drink or experience joy apart from him.
For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth– only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile– like chasing the wind!