Ecclesiastes 4:16

There is no end to all the people, 1 To all who were before them: 1 And the last shall not rejoice in him: 1 For this also is vanity and waywardness of spirit. 1

Updated Brenton Septuagint

In The King James Version

There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

In Context

15I beheld all the living 1 Who were walking under the sun, 1 With the second youth 1 Who shall stand up in each one’s place. 1

17Keep thy foot, whensoever thou goest to the house of God; 1 And when thou art near to hear, 1 Let thy sacrifice be better than the gift of fools: 1 For they know not that they are doing evil.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

2 Samuel 15:12And Absalom sent to Ahithophel the Theconite, the counselor of David, from his city, from Giloh, where he was sacrificing: and there was a strong conspiracy; and the people with Absalom were increasingly numerous.

2 Samuel 19:9Then the king arose, and sat in the gate: and all the people reported, saying, Behold, the king sits in the gate. And all the people went in before the king to the gate; for Israel had fled every man to his tent.

1 Kings 1:40And all the people went up after him, and they danced in choirs, and rejoiced with great joy, and the earth quaked with their voice.

Ecclesiastes 1:14I beheld all the works 1 That were wrought under the sun; 1 And, behold, all were vanity and waywardness of spirit. 1

Ecclesiastes 2:17So I hated life; 1 Because the work that was wrought under the sun 1 Was evil before me: 1 For all is vanity and waywardness of spirit. 1

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:14-16

The Advantages of Society. 13 Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished. 14 For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor. 15 I considered all the living which walk under the sun, with the second child that shall stand up in his stead. 16 There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 4:16