Ecclesiastes 2:23

What does Ecclesiastes 2:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail sadness; even at night his heart hath not lain down; this also <FI>is<Fi> vanity.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

All his days are full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For all his days are sorrows, and his travail vexation: even in the night his heart taketh no rest. This also is vanity.

Context

v.22For what hath a man of all his labor, and of the striving of his heart, wherein he laboreth under the sun?

v.23This passage

v.24There is nothing better for a manthanthat he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:12

    The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

  • Psalms 6:6

    I am weary with my groaning; Every night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:18

    For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

  • Psalms 90:7

    For we are consumed in thine anger, And in thy wrath are we troubled.

  • Psalms 77:2

    In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted.

  • Job 7:13

    When I say, My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;

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