Ecclesiastes 2 New American Standard Bible

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Ecclesiastes 2 New American Standard Bible</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/ecclesiastes/2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NASB</a> > Ecclesiastes 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="../menu.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../ecclesiastes/1.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 1">◄</a> Ecclesiastes 2 <a href="../ecclesiastes/3.htm" title="Ecclesiastes 3">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New American Standard Bible</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/nasb/ecclesiastes/2.htm" style="color:#0092f2" title="NASB 1995">►► </a></td></tr></table></div><p class="hdg">The Futility of Pleasure and Possessions</p><p><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>I said<MH559> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[a]</a></span>to myself<MH3820>, “Come<MH1980> now<MH4994>, I will test<MH5254> you with pleasure<MH8057>. So <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[b]</a></span>enjoy<MH7200, 2896b> yourself.” And behold<MH2009>, it too<MH1571> was futility<MH1892>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>I said<MH559> of laughter<MH7814>, “<i>It is</i> senseless<MH1984b>,” and of pleasure<MH8057>, “What<MH4100> does this<MH2088> accomplish<MH6213a>?” <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>I explored<MH8446> with my <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[c]</a></span>mind<MH3820> <i>how</i> to refresh<MH4900> my body<MH1320> with wine<MH3196> while my <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[d]</a></span>mind<MH3820> was guiding<MH5090a> <i>me</i> wisely<MH2451>; and how to seize<MH270> foolishness<MH5531>, until<MH5704, 834> I could see<MH7200> what<MH335, 2088> good<MH2896a> there is for the sons<MH1121> of mankind<MH120> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[e]</a></span>to do<MH6213a> under<MH8478> heaven<MH8064> for the few<MH4557> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[f]</a></span>years<MH3117> of their lives<MH2425b>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>I enlarged<MH1431> my works<MH4639>: I built<MH1129> houses<MH1004> for myself, I planted<MH5193> vineyards<MH3754> for myself; <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>I made<MH6213a> gardens<MH1593> and parks<MH6508> for myself, and I planted<MH5193> in them all<MH3605> kinds of fruit<MH6529> trees<MH6086>; <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>I made<MH6213a> ponds<MH1295> of water<MH4325> for myself from which to irrigate<MH8248> a forest<MH3293a> of growing<MH6779> trees<MH6086>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>I bought<MH7069> male<MH5650> and female<MH8198> slaves<MH8198, 5650>, and I had<MH1961> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[g]</a></span>slaves<MH1121> <i>born</i> at home<MH1004>. I also<MH1571> possessed flocks<MH6629> and herds<MH1241> larger<MH7235a> than<MH4480> all<MH3605> who<MH7945> preceded<MH6440> me in Jerusalem<MH3389>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>I also<MH1571> amassed<MH3664> for myself silver<MH3701> and gold<MH2091>, and the treasure<MH5459> of kings<MH4428> and provinces<MH4082>. I provided<MH6213a> for myself male and female singers<MH7891>, and the pleasures<MH8588> of the sons<MH1121> of mankind<MH120>: many<MH7705> concubines<MH7705>. <p class="paragraph"><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Then I became<MH1431> great<MH1431> and increased<MH3254> more<MH4480> than<MH4480> all<MH3605> who<MH7945> preceded<MH6440> me in Jerusalem<MH3389>. My wisdom<MH2451> also<MH637> stood<MH5975> by me. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>All<MH3605> that my eyes<MH5869> desired<MH7592>, I did not refuse<MH680> them. I did not restrain<MH4513> my heart<MH3820> from any<MH3605> pleasure<MH8057>, for my heart<MH3820> was pleased<MH8056> because<MH4480> of all<MH3605> my labor<MH5999>; and this<MH2088> was my reward<MH2506> for all<MH3605> my labor<MH5999>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>So I considered<MH6437> all<MH3605> my activities<MH4639> which<MH7945> my hands<MH3027> had done<MH6213a> and the labor<MH5999> which<MH7945> I had <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[h]</a></span>exerted<MH6213a>, and behold<MH2009>, all<MH3605> was futility<MH1892> and striving<MH7469> after wind<MH7307>, and there<MH369> was<MH369> no<MH369> benefit<MH3504> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121>. <p class="hdg">Wisdom Surpasses Foolishness</p><p class="paragraph"><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>So I turned<MH6437> to consider<MH7200> wisdom<MH2451>, insanity<MH1947>, and foolishness<MH5531>; for what<MH4100> <i>will</i> the man<MH120> <i>do</i> who<MH7945> will come<MH935> after<MH310> the king<MH4428>, <i>except</i> what<MH834> has already<MH3528> been done<MH6213a>? <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Then I saw<MH7200> that wisdom<MH2451> surpasses<MH3426, 3504, 4480> foolishness<MH5531> as light<MH216> surpasses<MH3504, 4480> darkness<MH2822>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>The wise<MH2450> person’s<MH2450> eyes<MH5869> are in his head<MH7218>, but the fool<MH3684> walks<MH1980> in darkness<MH2822>. And yet<MH1571> I know<MH3045> that one<MH259> <i>and the same</i> fate<MH4745> happens<MH7136a> to <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[i]</a></span>both<MH3605> of them. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Then I said<MH559> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[j]</a></span>to myself<MH3820>, “As is the fate<MH4745> of the fool<MH3684>, it will also<MH1571> happen<MH7136a> to me. Why<MH4100> then<MH227> have I been<MH2449> extremely<MH3148> wise<MH2449>?” So <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[k]</a></span>I said<MH1696> to myself<MH3820>, “This<MH2088> too<MH1571> is futility<MH1892>.” <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>For there<MH369> is<MH369> no<MH369> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[l]</a></span>lasting<MH5769> remembrance<MH2146> of the wise<MH2450>, along<MH5973> with<MH5973> the fool<MH3684>, since<MH7945> <i>in</i> the coming<MH935> days<MH3117> everything<MH3605> will <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[m]</a></span>soon<MH3528> be forgotten<MH7911>. And how<MH349> the wise<MH2450> and the fool<MH3684> alike<MH5973> die<MH4191>! <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>So I hated<MH8130> life<MH2425b>, for the work<MH4639> which<MH7945> had been done<MH6213a> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121> was <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[n]</a></span>unhappy<MH7451a> to me; because<MH3588> everything<MH3605> is futility<MH1892> and striving<MH7469> after wind<MH7307>. <p class="hdg">The Futility of Labor</p><p class="paragraph"><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>So I hated<MH8130> all<MH3605> the fruit<MH5999> of<MH5999> my labor<MH5999> for which<MH7945> I had labored<MH6001b> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121>, because I must leave<MH5117> it to the man<MH120> who<MH7945> will come<MH1961> after<MH310> me. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>And who<MH4310> knows<MH3045> whether he will be wise<MH2450> or<MH176> a fool<MH5530>? Yet he will have<MH7980> control<MH7980> over<MH7980> all<MH3605> the fruit<MH5999> of<MH5999> my labor<MH5999> for which<MH7945> I have labored<MH5998> by acting<MH2449> wisely<MH2449> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121>. This<MH2088> too<MH1571> is futility<MH1892>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Therefore I <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[o]</a></span>completely<MH5437, 3820> despaired<MH2976> over<MH5921> all<MH3605> the fruit<MH5999> of<MH5999> my labor<MH5999> for which<MH7945> I had labored<MH5998> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>When<MH3588> there<MH3426> is<MH3426> a person<MH120> who<MH7945> has labored<MH5998> with wisdom<MH2451>, knowledge<MH1847>, and skill<MH3788>, and then gives<MH5414> his <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[p]</a></span>legacy<MH2506> to one<MH120> who<MH7945> has not labored<MH5998> for it; this<MH2088> too<MH1571> is futility<MH1892> and a great<MH7227a> evil<MH7463a>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>For what<MH4100> does a person<MH120> get<MH1933b> in all<MH3605> his labor<MH5999> and in <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[q]</a></span>his striving<MH7475> with which<MH7945> he labors<MH6001b> under<MH8478> the sun<MH8121>? <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Because<MH3588> all<MH3605> his days<MH3117> his activity<MH6045> is painful<MH4341> and irritating<MH3708a>; even<MH1571> at night<MH3915> his <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[r]</a></span>mind<MH3820> does not rest<MH7901>. This<MH2088> too<MH1571> is futility<MH1892>. <p class="paragraph"><span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>There<MH369> is<MH369> nothing<MH369> better<MH2896a> for a person<MH120> <i>than</i> to eat<MH398> and drink<MH8354>, and show<MH7200> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[s]</a></span>himself<MH5315> <i>some</i> good<MH2896b> in his trouble<MH5999>. This<MH2090> too<MH1571> I have seen<MH7200>, that it is from the hand<MH3027> of God<MH430>. <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>For who<MH4310> can eat<MH398> and who<MH4310> can have<MH2363b> enjoyment<MH2363b> without<MH2351, 4480> <span class="fn"><a href="#fn">[t]</a></span>Him? <span class="reftext"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>For to a person<MH120> who<MH7945> is good<MH2896a> in His sight<MH6440>, He has given<MH5414> wisdom<MH2451> and knowledge<MH1847> and joy<MH8057>, while to the sinner<MH2398> He has given<MH5414> the task<MH6045> of gathering<MH622> and collecting<MH3664> so that he may give<MH5414> to one<MH2896a> who is good<MH2896a> in God’s<MH430> sight<MH6440>. This<MH2088> too<MH1571> is futility<MH1892> and striving<MH7469> after wind<MH7307>.<A name="fn"></a></p><br /><br /><span class="footnotesbot">[a]</span> <span class="fnverse">1</span> Lit <i>in my heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[b]</span> <span class="fnverse">1</span> Lit <i>consider with goodness</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[c]</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> Lit <i>heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[d]</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> Lit <i>heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[e]</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> Lit <i>which they do</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[f]</span> <span class="fnverse">3</span> Lit <i>days</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[g]</span> <span class="fnverse">7</span> Lit <i>sons</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[h]</span> <span class="fnverse">11</span> Lit <i>labored to do</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[i]</span> <span class="fnverse">14</span> Lit <i>all of</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[j]</span> <span class="fnverse">15</span> Lit <i>in my heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[k]</span> <span class="fnverse">15</span> Lit <i>I spoke in my heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[l]</span> <span class="fnverse">16</span> Lit <i>forever</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[m]</span> <span class="fnverse">16</span> Lit <i>already</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[n]</span> <span class="fnverse">17</span> Lit <i>evil</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[o]</span> <span class="fnverse">20</span> Lit <i>turned aside my heart to despair</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[p]</span> <span class="fnverse">21</span> Lit <i>share</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[q]</span> <span class="fnverse">22</span> Lit <i>the striving of his heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[r]</span> <span class="fnverse">23</span> Lit <i>heart</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[s]</span> <span class="fnverse">24</span> Lit <i>his soul</i><br><span class="footnotesbot">[t]</span> <span class="fnverse">25</span> As in LXX; Heb <i>me</i><br></div><br /><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">New American Standard Bible<br>Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020<br>by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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Ecclesiastes 2 New American Standard Bible