Ecclesiastes 2:23

Every day his work is painful and stressful, so at night his soul does not find rest. This also is vapor.

Unlocked Literal Bible

In The King James Version

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

In Context

22For what profit does the person gain who works so hard and tries in his heart to complete his labors under the sun?

24There is nothing better for anyone than to simply eat and drink and be satisfied with what is good in his work. I saw that this truth comes from God's hand.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 2

Cross References

Esther 6:1That night the king could not sleep. He commanded servants to bring the records of the events of his reign, and they were being read aloud to the king.

Job 7:13When I say, 'My bed will comfort me, 1 and my couch will ease my complaint,' 1

Psalms 6:6I am weary with my groaning. 1 All night I drench my bed with tears; 1 I wash my couch away with my tears. 1

Psalms 77:2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; 1 at night I stretched my hands out, and they would not become tired. 1 My soul refused to be comforted. 1

Psalms 90:15Make us glad in proportion to the days you afflicted us 1 and to the years we have experienced trouble. 1

Ecclesiastes 1:18For in the abundance of wisdom there is much frustration, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Sources of Dissatisfaction; The Cheerful Use of Abundance. 17 Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit. 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Ecclesiastes 2:23