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Ecclesiastes 4:6

ContentmentWorkRest and sabbath

4 I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

5 The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.

7 Again, I saw futility under the sun.

8 There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind.
KJV
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
WEB
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind.
ASV
Better is a handful, with quietness, than two handfuls with labor and striving after wind.
DARBY
Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
BLB
Better the fullness of palm [with] quietness than the fullness of two palms [with] toil and a striving after the wind.
ÅB
Bedre er en håndfull ro enn begge never fulle av strev og jag etter vind.
OTB
Bedre er en håndfull med ro enn to håndfuller med slit og jag etter vinden.
B1930
Bedre er en håndfull ro enn begge never fulle av strev og jag efter vind.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

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