Ecclesiastes 2:26

Translations

Modern

To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Traditional

For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Literal

For to the man who is good in His eyes, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; and to the sinner He gives the task to gather and to heap up, to give to the good before the face of God. This also is vapor, and a striving after the wind.

Latin

Homini bono in conspectu suo dedit Deus sapientiam, et scientiam, et lætitiam; peccatori autem dedit afflictionem et curam superfluam, ut addat, et congreget, et tradat ei qui placuit Deo; sed et hoc vanitas est, et cassa sollicitudo mentis.

Original

Hebrew

English

To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

Notes

Ecclesiastes 2:26

If a sinner becomes wealthy, it is meaningless because God takes the wealth away.

Ecclesiastes 2:24–26

Even though life under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:3) is like a vapor (2:23, futile), we should enjoy God's gifts of food, work, and wisdom.

Ecclesiastes 1:12–2:26

The Teacher examines how wisdom, work, and pleasure relate to each other.

Theme notes and profiles

Laziness and Hard Work

Related verses

Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
Job 27:16–17
Though he heaps up silver like dust and piles up a wardrobe like clay,
Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.
John 16:24
Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
Isaiah 3:10–11
Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Proverbs 3:13–18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
Colossians 3:16–17
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
2 Chronicles 31:20–21
So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.
Colossians 1:9–12
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Luke 1:6
Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
Job 32:8
But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Glossary

Book of Ecclesiastes

Topics

Boredom Gifts from God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to Both Temporal and Spiritual God: Providence of God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The Happiness of the Righteous Joy: God Gives Joy: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Riches: The Wicked: Heap Up The Gifts of God are Dispensed According to his Will Vanity: Heaping up Riches Is Wicked (People): Punishment of Wisdom: Spiritual, from God Wisdom: Worldly

Ecclesiastes 2:26

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Translations

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Notes

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