Ecclesiastes 2:20 “So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under…”

Ecclesiastes 2:20

So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

World English Bible

Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.

American Standard Version

Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore I went about to make mine heart abhorre all the labour, wherein I had trauailed vnder the sunne.

Darby Translation

Then I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour wherewith I had laboured under the sun.

Young's Literal Translation

And I turned round to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour that I laboured at under the sun.

Bible in Basic English

So my mind was turned to grief for all the trouble I had taken and all my wisdom under the sun.

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Cross references

“Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.”

Genesis 43:14 Job 17:11–15 1 Corinthians 15:19 2 Corinthians 1:8–10 Psalm 39:6 Psalm 39:7

Genesis 43:14 · BSB

May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, that he may release your other brother along with Benjamin. As for me, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved.”

Job 17:11–15 · BSB

My days have passed; my plans are broken off— even the desires of my heart.

1 Corinthians 15:19 · BSB

If our hope in Christ is for this life alone, we are to be pitied more than all men.

2 Corinthians 1:8–10 · BSB

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

Psalm 39:6 · BSB

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Psalm 39:7 · BSB

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

19And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.

21When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, and he must give his portion to a man who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great evil.

Read Ecclesiastes 2