Ecclesiastes 2:26
24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten hereunto, more than I?
For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- KJV
- For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
- WEB
- For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- ASV
- For to the man that pleaseth him [God] giveth wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that pleaseth God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- DARBY
- For he giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he giveth travail to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good in God's sight. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
- BLB
- For to the man who [is] good in His eyes, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; and to the sinner He gives the task to gather and to heap up, to give to the good before the face of God. This also [is] vapor, and a striving after the wind.
- ÅB
- For det menneske som tekkes ham, gir han visdom og kunnskap og glede; men synderen gir han den umak å sanke og samle for å gi til den som tekkes Gud; også dette er tomhet og jag etter vind.
- OTB
- Til den som behager Ham, gir Gud visdom, kunnskap og lykke, men til synderen gir Han oppgaven med å samle og lagre rikdom for å overlevere den til den som behager Gud. Også dette er meningsløst, et jag etter vind.
- B1930
- For det menneske som tekkes ham, gir han visdom og kunnskap og glede; men synderen gir han den umak å sanke og samle for å gi til den som tekkes Gud; også dette er tomhet og jag efter vind.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Read in contextJob 27:16–17
Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
Read in contextProverbs 28:8
He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.
Read in contextJohn 16:24
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Read in contextIsaiah 3:10–11
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
Read in contextProverbs 3:13–18
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Read in context2 Chronicles 31:20–21
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
Read in contextColossians 3:16–17
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Read in context