Ecclesiastes 2:17 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.

◄ Ecclesiastes 2:17 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
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.

English Standard Version
So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

New American Standard Bible
So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.

King James Bible
Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

International Standard Version
So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble—it's all pointless, like chasing after the wind.

American Standard Version
So I hated life, because the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Darby Bible Translation
And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Young's Literal Translation
And I have hated life, for sad to me is the work that hath been done under the sun, for the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

2:12-17 Solomon found that knowledge and prudence were preferable to ignorance and folly, though human wisdom and knowledge will not make a man happy. The most learned of men, who dies a stranger to Christ Jesus, will perish equally with the most ignorant; and what good can commendations on earth do to the body in the grave, or the soul in hell? And the spirits of just men made perfect cannot want them. So that if this were all, we might be led to hate our life, as it is all vanity and vexation of spirit.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. Disappointed in one experiment after another, he is weary of life. The backslider ought to have rather reasoned as the prodigal (Ho 2:6, 7; Lu 15:17, 18).

grievous unto me—(Job 10:1).