Ecclesiastes 2:18

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Ecclesiastes 2:16–20 · Berean Standard Bible

16 For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!

17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. For everything is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

18 I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me.

19 And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile.

20 So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun.

Hebrew words

Data created by STEPBible.org based on work at Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0).

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Cross-references

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge lists these related verses. Scripture text comes from the Berean Standard Bible.

Ecclesiastes 2:4

I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.

Ecclesiastes 2:5

I made gardens and parks for myself, where I planted all kinds of fruit trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:6

I built reservoirs to water my groves of flourishing trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:7

I acquired menservants and maidservants, and servants were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me,

Ecclesiastes 2:8

and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.

Ecclesiastes 2:9

So I became great and surpassed all in Jerusalem who had preceded me; and my wisdom remained with me.

Ecclesiastes 1:13

And I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid upon the sons of men to occupy them!

Ecclesiastes 4:3

But better than both is he who has not yet existed, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

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.

Ecclesiastes 5:13

There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner,

Ecclesiastes 5:14

or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.

1 Kings 11:11

Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

1 Kings 11:12

Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

1 Kings 11:13

Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

Psalms 17:14

from such men, O LORD, by Your hand— from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.

Psalms 39:6

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Psalms 49:10

For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.

Luke 12:20

But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’

Luke 16:27

‘Then I beg you, father,’ he said, ‘send Lazarus to my father’s house,

Luke 16:28

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also end up in this place of torment.’

Acts 20:29

I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Acts 20:30

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

1 Corinthians 3:10

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.