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Journey Through the Bible

Ecclesiastes 2:16-21

16 For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered;
in days to come both will be forgotten.
Like the fool, the wise man too must die!

17 Toil Is Meaningless
So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.

19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.

20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.

21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.

Cross References for Ecclesiastes 2:16-21

Hebrews 9:27 - Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:27 Click to read the verse Hebrews 9:27

Ecclesiastes 9:5 - For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward,... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:5 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:5

Exodus 1:6 - Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, Click to read the verse Exodus 1:6 Click to read the verse Exodus 1:6

Exodus 1:8 - Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. Click to read the verse Exodus 1:8 Click to read the verse Exodus 1:8

Ecclesiastes 9:15 - Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobo... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:15 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:15

Ecclesiastes 2:14 - The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize ... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:14 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:14

Ecclesiastes 3:19 - Man’s fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies th... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 3:19 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 3:19

Malachi 3:16 - Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scrol... Click to read the verse Malachi 3:16 Click to read the verse Malachi 3:16

Psalms 49:10 - For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their w... Click to read the verse Psalms 49:10 Click to read the verse Psalms 49:10

2 Samuel 3:33 - The king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner have died as the lawless die? Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:33 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:33

Isaiah 14:10 - They will all respond, they will say to you, “You also have become weak, as we are; you have be... Click to read the verse Isaiah 14:10 Click to read the verse Isaiah 14:10

Ecclesiastes 8:10 - Then too, I saw the wicked buried—those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 8:10 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 8:10

Psalms 103:16 - the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Click to read the verse Psalms 103:16 Click to read the verse Psalms 103:16

Psalms 88:12 - Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion? Click to read the verse Psalms 88:12 Click to read the verse Psalms 88:12

Psalms 73:4 - They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. Click to read the verse Psalms 73:4 Click to read the verse Psalms 73:4

Ecclesiastes 2:15 - Then I thought in my heart, “The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:15 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:15

Ecclesiastes 1:11 - There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembere... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:11 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:11

Ecclesiastes 6:8 - What advantage has a wise man over a fool? What does a poor man gain by knowing how to conduct ... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 6:8 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 6:8