Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

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.

22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?

23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.

Cross References for Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Ecclesiastes 1:13 - I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy ... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:13 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:13

Ecclesiastes 1:3 - What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun? Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:3 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 1:3

Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has gi... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:9 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 9:9

Psalms 17:14 - O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life... Click to read the verse Psalms 17:14 Click to read the verse Psalms 17:14

Luke 12:20 - “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who ... Click to read the verse Luke 12:20 Click to read the verse Luke 12:20

Ecclesiastes 2:26 - To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he giv... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:26 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:26

Ecclesiastes 5:18 - Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:18 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:18

1 Corinthians 3:10 - By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is bu... Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 3:10 Click to read the verse 1 Corinthians 3:10

Psalms 39:6 - Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up we... Click to read the verse Psalms 39:6 Click to read the verse Psalms 39:6

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

Acts 20:29-30 - I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Click to read the verse Acts 20:29-30 Click to read the verse Acts 20:29-30

Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 - I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:13-14 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 5:13-14

Luke 16:27-28 - “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, Click to read the verse Luke 16:27-28 Click to read the verse Luke 16:27-28

Ecclesiastes 2:4-9 - I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:4-9 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 2:4-9

Ecclesiastes 4:3 - But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under t... Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 4:3 Click to read the verse Ecclesiastes 4:3

1 Kings 11:11-13 - So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 11:11-13 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 11:11-13