Ecclesiastes 2:17 - 2:26

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17 So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is vanity and striving after wind.

The Vanity of Labor

18 Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a man of simpleminded folly? Yet he will have power over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored and for which I have acted wisely under the sun. This too is vanity. 20 Therefore I turned my heart to despair of all my labor for which I had labored under the sun. 21 When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, then he gives his portion to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. 22 For what does a man get in all his labor and in the striving of his heart with which he labors under the sun? 23 Because all his days his endeavor is painful and vexing; even at night his heart does not lie down. This too is vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and have his soul see good in his labor. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. 25 For who can eat and who can have enjoyment outside of Him? 26 For to a man who is good before Him, He has given wisdom and knowledge and gladness, while to the sinner He has given the endeavor of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is good before God. This too is vanity and striving after wind.

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