Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

World English Bible Catholic

In The King James Version

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

In Context

3Yes, better than them both is him who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

5The fool folds his hands together and ruins himself.

Read all of Ecclesiastes 4

Cross References

Genesis 4:4Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. The LORD respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 26:14He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him.

Genesis 37:2This is the history of the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives. Joseph brought an evil report of them to their father.

1 Samuel 18:9Saul watched David from that day and forward.

1 Samuel 18:29Saul was even more afraid of David; and Saul was David’s enemy continually.

Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Matthew Henry on Ecclesiastes 4:2-4

The Prevalence of Oppression. 1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. 2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun. Solomon had a large soul ( 1 Kings… Read the whole commentary →

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Study Ecclesiastes 4:4