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Ecclesiastes 4:15

Ecclesiastes 4:16 nasb — There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy…

NASB

"There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind."

— Ecclesiastes 4:16, NASB

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Ecclesiastes 4:16 in Other Translations

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Ecclesiastes 4 — Context

13

A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

14

For he has come out of prison to become king, even though he was born poor in his kingdom.

15

I have seen all the living under the sun throng to the side of the second lad who replaces him.

16

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Ecclesiastes 4:16 say?
Ecclesiastes 4:16 in the NASB reads: “There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.”
Where is Ecclesiastes 4:16 in the Bible?
Ecclesiastes 4:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 4, verse 16.
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 4:16.
What translation should I read Ecclesiastes 4:16 in?
Ecclesiastes 4:16 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 4:16?
Ecclesiastes 4:16 reads (NASB): “There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind.” 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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