Ecclesiastes 4:8

English Standard Version

8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. (Ps 39:6; Pr 27:20; Ec 1:8; Ec 1:13; Ec 2:18; 1Jo 2:16) 

New International Version

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! 

New International Reader’s Version

8 A man lived all by himself. He didn’t have any sons or brothers. His hard work never ended. But he wasn’t happy with what he had. ‘Who am I working so hard for?’ he asked. ‘Why don’t I get the things I enjoy?’ That doesn’t have any meaning either. In fact, it’s a very bad deal! 

King James Version

8 There 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. 

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