Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Bible in Basic English

In The King James Version

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

In Context

10And nothing which was desired by my eyes did I keep from them; I did not keep any joy from my heart, because my heart took pleasure in all my work, and this was my reward.

12And I went again in search of wisdom and of foolish ways. What may the man do who comes after the king? The thing which he has done before.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Genesis 1:31And God saw everything which he had made and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Ecclesiastes 1:3What is a man profited by all his work which he does under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 1:17And I gave my heart to getting knowledge of wisdom, and of the ways of the foolish. And I saw that this again was desire for wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:19And who is to say if that man will be wise or foolish? But he will have power over all my work which I have done and in which I have been wise under the sun. This again is to no purpose.

Habakkuk 2:13See, is it not the pleasure of the Lord of armies that the peoples are working for the fire and using themselves up for nothing?

1 John 2:16Because everything in the world, the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but of the world.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:2-12

Vanity of Worldly Pleasure. 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? 3 I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life. 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 2:11