Ecclesiastes 4:7
 Ecclesiastes 4:7 
New International Version (©2011)
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

New Living Translation (©2007)
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Again, I saw futility under the sun:

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then I turned to re-examine something else that is pointless on earth:

NET Bible (©2006)
So I again considered another futile thing on earth:

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Next, I turned to look at something pointless under the sun:

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

American King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

American Standard Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

Darby Bible Translation
And I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

English Revised Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

World English Bible
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Young's Literal Translation
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:7,8 Frequently, the more men have, the more they would have; and on this they are so intent, that they get no enjoyment from what they have. Selfishness is the cause of this evil. A selfish man cares for nobody; there is none to take care of but himself, yet he will scarcely allow necessary rest to himself, and the people he employs. He never thinks he has enough. He has enough for his calling, for his family, but he has not enough for his eyes. Many are so set upon the world, that in pursuit of it they bereave themselves, not only of the favour of God and eternal life, but of the pleasures of this life. The distant relations or strangers who inherit such a man's wealth, never thank him. Covetousness gathers strength by time and habit; men tottering on the brink of the grave, grow more grasping and griping. Alas, and how often do we see men professing to be followers of Him, who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, anxiously scraping money together and holding it fast, excusing themselves by common-place talking about the necessity of care, and the danger of extravagance!


Pulpit Commentary

Verses 7-12. - Thirdly, avarice causes isolation and a sense of insecurity, and brings no satisfaction. Verse 7. - Then I returned. Another reflection serves to confirm the uselessness of human efforts. The vanity under the sun is now avarice, with the evils that accompany it.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. Another vanity besides what he had taken notice of, and is as follows. Aben Ezra's note is,

"I turned from considering the words of this fool, and I saw another fool, the reverse of the former.''


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

7. A vanity described in Ec 4:8.


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The Evils of Oppression
6Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit. 7Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he has neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither said he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a sore travail. …

Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business!