Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, May 15th, 2025
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
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Read the Bible
The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible
Ecclesiastes 4:7
Again, I saw futility under the sun.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- EveryParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Again, I saw futility under the sun:
Again, I saw futility under the sun:
Hebrew Names Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
English Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
New American Standard Bible
Then I looked again at futility under the sun.
Then I looked again at futility under the sun.
New Century Version
Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
Again I saw something here on earth that was useless:
Amplified Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].
World English Bible
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Againe I returned, and sawe vanitie vnder the sunne.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Contemporary English Version
Once again I saw that nothing on earth makes sense.
Once again I saw that nothing on earth makes sense.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then I turned my attention to something else under the sun that is pointless:
Then I turned my attention to something else under the sun that is pointless:
Darby Translation
And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Easy-to-Read Version
Again I saw something else that didn't make sense:
Again I saw something else that didn't make sense:
George Lamsa Translation
Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Good News Translation
I have noticed something else in life that is useless.
I have noticed something else in life that is useless.
Lexham English Bible
I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
I turned again and saw another vanity under the sun.
Literal Translation
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Morouer, I turned me, and beholde yet another vanite vnder the Sonne.
Morouer, I turned me, and beholde yet another vanite vnder the Sonne.
American Standard Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Bible in Basic English
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
Then I came back, and I saw an example of what is to no purpose under the sun.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
King James Version (1611)
Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
Then I returned, and I saw vanitie vnder the Sunne.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
Moreouer I turned me, and beholde yet another vanitie vnder the sunne.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.
English Revised Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
I bihelde and foond also another vanytee vndir the sunne;
I bihelde and foond also another vanytee vndir the sunne;
Update Bible Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
New English Translation
So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
So I again considered another futile thing on earth:
New King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
New Living Translation
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
New Life Bible
Then I looked again at what is of no use under the sun.
Then I looked again at what is of no use under the sun.
New Revised Standard
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then again, I, looked at a vain thing under the sun: -
Then again, I, looked at a vain thing under the sun: -
Douay-Rheims Bible
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
Revised Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Young's Literal Translation
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:
THE MESSAGE
I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.
I turned my head and saw yet another wisp of smoke on its way to nothingness: a solitary person, completely alone—no children, no family, no friends—yet working obsessively late into the night, compulsively greedy for more and more, never bothering to ask, "Why am I working like a dog, never having any fun? And who cares?" More smoke. A bad business.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.
Contextual Overview
7Again, I saw futility under the sun.8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: "For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?" This too is futile-a miserable task. 9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. 10For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! 11Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? 12And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Ecclesiastes 4:1, Psalms 78:33, Zechariah 1:6
Reciprocal: Psalms 39:6 - surely Ecclesiastes 1:3 - under Ecclesiastes 8:9 - this Ecclesiastes 10:5 - an evil
Cross-References
Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: "I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. You will desire your husband, and he will rule over you."
To the woman He said: "I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. You will desire your husband, and he will rule over you."
Genesis 4:6
"Why are you angry," said the LORD to Cain, "and why has your countenance fallen?
"Why are you angry," said the LORD to Cain, "and why has your countenance fallen?
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.
Genesis 4:9
And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I do not know!" he answered. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
And the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I do not know!" he answered. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
Genesis 4:10
"What have you done?" replied the LORD. "The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.
"What have you done?" replied the LORD. "The voice of your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground.
Genesis 4:11
Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.
Genesis 4:12
When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."
When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth."
Genesis 4:13
But Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.
But Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Genesis 19:21
"Very well," he answered, "I will grant this request as well, and will not demolish the town you indicate.
"Very well," he answered, "I will grant this request as well, and will not demolish the town you indicate.
Numbers 32:23
But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD-and be assured that your sin will find you out.
But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD-and be assured that your sin will find you out.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Another vanity besides what he had taken notice of, and is as follows. Aben Ezra's note is,
"I turned from considering the words of this fool, and I saw another fool, the reverse of the former.''
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The spectacle of a prosperous man whose condition is rendered vain by his brotherless, childless isolation.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
A second - Any one associated or connected with him.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Compare a saying from the Talmud: “A man without companions is like the left hand without the right.”
