Ecclesiastes 5:12

What does Ecclesiastes 5:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Ecclesiastes 5:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The sleep of a working man is sweet, if he has little food or much; but to him who is full, sleep will not come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Sweet <FI>is<Fi> the sleep of the labourer whether he eat little or much; and the sufficiency of the wealthy is not suffering him to sleep.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The sleep of the labourer is sweet, whether he have eaten little or much; but the fulness of the rich doth not suffer him to sleep.

Context

v.11When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding of them with his eyes?

v.12This passage

v.13There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 31:26

    Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me.

  • Psalms 127:2

    It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; Forso he giveth unto his beloved sleep.

  • Psalms 4:8

    In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety.

  • Proverbs 3:24

    When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

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