Ecclesiastes 4:3-8
New American Standard Bible
4I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a person and his neighbor. This too is futility and striving after wind.
5The fool folds his hands and consumes his own flesh.
6One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind.
7Then I looked again at futility under the sun.
8There was a man without a dependent, having neither a son nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches, and he never asked, 'And for whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?' This too is futility, and it is an unhappy task.
King James Version
4Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
5The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.
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; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Christian Standard Bible
5The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.
6Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.
7Again, I saw futility under the sun:
8There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "Who am I struggling for," he asks, "and depriving myself of good things? " This too is futile and a miserable task.
New Living Translation
7I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.
8This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, 'Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?' It is all so meaningless and depressing.
English Standard Version
New International Version