Ecclesiastes 2:26

What does Ecclesiastes 2:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 2:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For to the man that pleaseth him God giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To the man with whom he is pleased, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the sinner he gives the work of getting goods together and storing up wealth, to give to him in whom God has pleasure. This again is to no purpose and desire for wind.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For to a man who <FI>is<Fi> good before Him, He hath given wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; and to a sinner He hath given travail, to gather and to heap up, to give to the good before God. Even this <FI>is<Fi> vanity and vexation of spirit.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

God hath given to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he hath given vexation, and superfluous care, to heap up and to gather together, and to give it to him that hath pleased God: but this also is vanity, and a fruitless solicitude of the mind.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good inGod's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Context

v.25For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

v.26This passage

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 13:22

    A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children; And the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the righteous.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

  • Job 27:16

    Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay;

  • Isaiah 3:10

    Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Proverbs 3:13

    Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.

  • Colossians 3:16

    Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.

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