Ecclesiastes 6:2
God gives a man wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires. Yet God does not enable him to enjoy them, but instead a foreigner eats them. This is meaningless and a grievous misfortune.
Additional Resources
Other Translations
King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
KJV1611 – Modern English
A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all he desires, yet God does not give him the power to eat of it, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
King James Version 1611 (Original)
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers
a man{H376} to whom God{H430} giveth{H5414} riches,{H6239} wealth,{H6239} and honor,{H3519} so that he lacketh{H2638} nothing for his soul{H5315} of all that he desireth,{H183} yet God{H430} giveth him not power{H7980} to eat{H398} thereof, but an alien{H376} eateth{H398} it; this is vanity,{H1892} and it is an evil{H7451} disease.{H2483}
King James Version with Strong's Numbers
A man{H376} to whom God{H430} hath given{H5414}{(H8799)} riches{H6239}, wealth{H5233}, and honour{H3519}, so that he wanteth{H2638} nothing for his soul{H5315} of all that he desireth{H183}{(H8691)}, yet God{H430} giveth him not power{H7980}{(H8686)} to eat{H398}{(H8800)} thereof, but a stranger{H376}{H5237} eateth{H398}{(H8799)} it: this is vanity{H1892}, and it is an evil{H7451} disease{H2483}.
Coverdale Bible (1535)
when God geueth a man riches, goodes & honoure, so that he wanteth nothinge of all that his herte can desyre: and yet God geueth him not leue to enioye the same, but another man spedeth them. This is a vayne thinge & a miserable plage.
Geneva Bible (1560)
A man to whom God hath giuen riches and treasures and honour, and he wanteth nothing for his soule of all that it desireth: but God giueth him not power to eate thereof, but a strange man shall eate it vp: this is vanitie, and this is an euill sicknesse.
Bishops' Bible (1568)
when God geueth a man riches, goodes, and honour, so that he wanteth nothyng of all that his heart can desire, and yet God geueth him not leaue to enioy the same, but another man spendeth them: This is a vayne thyng and a miserable plague.
Authorized King James Version (1611)
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease.
Webster's Bible (1833)
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)
A man to whom God giveth wealth, and riches, and honour, and there is no lack to his soul of all that he desireth, and God giveth him not power to eat of it, but a stranger eateth it; this `is' vanity, and it `is' an evil disease.
American Standard Version (1901)
a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
American Standard Version (1901)
a man to whom God giveth riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacketh nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but an alien eateth it; this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
Bible in Basic English (1941)
A man to whom God gives money, wealth, and honour so that he has all his desires but God does not give him the power to have joy of it, and a strange man takes it. This is to no purpose and an evil disease.
World English Bible (2000)
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.
NET Bible® (New English Translation)
God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor– instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.
Referenced Verses
- Eccl 5:19 : 19 For they seldom reflect on the days of their life because God keeps them occupied with joy in their hearts.
- Ps 17:14 : 14 By your hand, Lord, save me from people of this world whose reward is in this life. Fill their bellies with what you have stored up; let their children be satisfied, and let them leave their wealth to their little ones.
- Ps 73:7 : 7 Their eyes bulge from fatness; their imaginations overflow with malice.
- 1 Kgs 3:13 : 13 I have also given you what you did not ask for: both wealth and honor, so that in your lifetime no king will compare to you.
- Job 21:9-9 : 9 Their homes are safe from fear, and no rod of God is upon them. 10 Their bulls breed without failure; their cows give birth and do not miscarry. 11 They release their young like a flock, and their children skip about. 12 They sing to the tambourine and lyre and rejoice to the sound of the flute. 13 They spend their days in prosperity, and in a moment they go down to Sheol. 14 Yet they say to God, 'Depart from us! We have no desire to know your ways.' 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we profit if we entreat him?
- Luke 12:19-20 : 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take it easy, eat, drink, and be merry.”' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This very night your soul will be required of you, and the things you have prepared—who will they belong to?'
- Ps 39:6 : 6 Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely, every man is but a breath. Selah.
- 1 Chr 29:25 : 25 The LORD greatly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel, and gave him royal majesty greater than that of any king before him in Israel.
- 1 Chr 29:28 : 28 David died at a good old age, having enjoyed a full life of days, riches, and honor. His son Solomon succeeded him as king.
- 2 Chr 1:11 : 11 God said to Solomon, "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for wealth, possessions, honor, the death of your enemies, or even many long years—but have asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king—
- Deut 8:7-9 : 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams of water, springs, and deep waters flowing out in valleys and hills. 8 A land of wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey. 9 A land where you will eat bread without scarcity—where you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you can dig copper. 10 You will eat and be satisfied, and you will bless the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.
- Deut 28:33 : 33 A people you don’t know will eat the fruit of your land and the result of your labor. You will be oppressed and crushed continually.
- Deut 28:43 : 43 The foreigner who resides among you will rise higher and higher above you, but you will sink lower and lower.
- Judg 18:10 : 10 When you arrive, you will find a secure and unsuspecting people. The land is spacious, for God has given it into your hands—a place lacking nothing that is good.
- Eccl 2:4-9 : 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made reservoirs of water to irrigate groves of flourishing trees. 7 I acquired male and female servants and had other servants born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem who had come before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered male and female singers for myself, and the delights of men—many concubines. 9 I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem, and my wisdom stayed with me. 10 Anything my eyes desired, I did not withhold from them; I did not keep my heart from any pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, for this was my reward for all my efforts.
- Eccl 4:4 : 4 And I saw that all toil and all skill in work are driven by one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- Eccl 4:8 : 8 There was a man all alone. He had no son or 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!
- Eccl 5:16 : 16 Throughout his days, he eats in darkness, with great frustration, sickness, and anger.
- Lam 5:2 : 2 Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our homes to foreigners.
- Dan 5:18 : 18 'O king, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty, greatness, glory, and splendor.'
- Hos 7:9 : 9 Foreigners consume his strength, yet he does not realize it. Gray hairs are sprinkled on him, but he does not notice.
Similar Verses (AI)
These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.
- 83%
1 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it is great upon humanity.
- Eccl 5:10-145 verses78%
10 As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owners except to feast their eyes on them?
11 The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits them no sleep.
12 I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners.
13 Or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children, there is nothing left for them to inherit.
14 As everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, so they depart naked as they came. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.
- Eccl 6:3-97 verses77%
3 A man may father a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy life's good things and receives no proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he.
4 For it comes in vain and departs in darkness, and its name is covered in darkness.
5 Though it has never seen the sun or known anything, it has more rest than that man.
6 Even if someone lives a thousand years twice over but does not enjoy their prosperity, do not all go to the same place?
7 All human toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.
8 What advantage has the wise person over the fool? What does the poor person gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before the living?
9 Better is what the eyes see than the wandering of desire. This too is meaningless and a chasing after the wind.
- Eccl 2:21-266 verses77%
21 For there is a person who labors with wisdom, knowledge, and skill, but then must leave everything to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
22 What does a person gain from all their labor and from the striving of their heart under the sun?
23 All their days are full of sorrow, and their work is filled with grief; even at night their mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their work. This too, I realized, is from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat or who can enjoy life apart from Him?
26 To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, He gives the task of gathering and storing wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- Eccl 5:16-194 verses77%
16 Throughout his days, he eats in darkness, with great frustration, sickness, and anger.
17 Behold, what I have seen is good and fitting: to eat and drink and to enjoy the good of all one's labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him, for this is his reward.
18 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and enables them to enjoy it, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
19 For they seldom reflect on the days of their life because God keeps them occupied with joy in their hearts.
- 76%
6 Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely, every man is but a breath. Selah.
- 76%
8 There was a man all alone. He had no son or 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!
- Eccl 6:11-122 verses76%
11 The more words, the more meaningless—and what advantage does that bring to anyone?
12 For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few days of their fleeting life? They pass like a shadow. Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?
- 74%
14 There is a futility that takes place on the earth: righteous people receive what the wicked deserve, and wicked people receive what the righteous deserve. I said, 'This too is vanity.'
- 73%
7 One pretends to be rich yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor yet has great wealth.
- 73%
19 And who knows whether that person will be wise or foolish? Yet they will rule over all the fruit of my labor that I have worked for under the sun. This too is meaningless.
- Eccl 8:9-102 verses72%
9 I observed all this as I considered all the work done under the sun: a time when one man has power over another to hurt them.
10 Then I saw the wicked buried, who used to go in and out of the holy place, but now they are forgotten in the city where they acted this way. This too is meaningless.
- 72%
11 Yet when I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, behold, everything was meaningless—a chasing after the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.
- Job 20:21-222 verses72%
21 Nothing is left for him to consume; therefore, his prosperity will not last.
22 In the fullness of his plenty, he will be distressed; the hand of all who toil will come upon him.
- 72%
10 Lest strangers feast on your strength, and your hard-earned wealth end up in the house of a foreigner.
- 72%
22 A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not consider that poverty will come upon him.
- 72%
19 The rich man lies down, but he will not be gathered; he opens his eyes, and he is no more.
- 72%
3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
- 72%
4 And I saw that all toil and all skill in work are driven by one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- 72%
6 Do not eat the bread of a stingy person, nor crave his delicacies.
- 72%
16 There is no end to all the people who were before them, yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
- 71%
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be arrogant or to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
- 71%
15 In my fleeting life, I have seen it all: The righteous perishing in their righteousness, and the wicked living long in their wickedness.
- 71%
23 An abundance of food may come from the land of the poor, but it is sometimes swept away for lack of justice.
- 71%
16 One who oppresses the poor to increase their wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich will both come to poverty.
- 71%
19 For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over animals, for everything is meaningless.
- 71%
22 So I saw that there is nothing better than for a person to rejoice in their work, for that is their lot. Who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
- 71%
11 Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.
- 71%
26 All day long they crave and crave, but the righteous give and do not hold back.