Parallel Verses
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
So I turned me to refrain my mind from all such travail, as I took under the Sun:
New American Standard Bible
Therefore I
King James Version
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.
Holman Bible
So I began to give myself over
International Standard Version
So I came to be in despair about everything I had accomplished on earth.
A Conservative Version
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
American Standard Version
Therefore I turned about to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor wherein I had labored under the sun.
Amplified
So I turned aside and let my heart despair over all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun.
Bible in Basic English
So my mind was turned to grief for all the trouble I had taken and all my wisdom under the sun.
Darby Translation
Then I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour wherewith I had laboured under the sun.
Julia Smith Translation
And I turned about to let my heart despair for all the labor I labored under the sun.
King James 2000
Therefore I gave my heart up to despair of all the labor in which I toiled under the sun.
Lexham Expanded Bible
So {I began to despair} of all the toil with which I toiled under the sun.
Modern King James verseion
And I turned to cause my heart to despair over all the labor which I did under the sun.
NET Bible
So I began to despair about all the fruit of my labor for which I worked so hard on earth.
New Heart English Bible
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
The Emphasized Bible
Then resolved I, to give my heart over to despair, - concerning all the toil, wherein I had toiled, under the sun.
Webster
Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labor which I took under the sun.
World English Bible
Therefore I began to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labor in which I had labored under the sun.
Youngs Literal Translation
And I turned round to cause my heart to despair concerning all the labour that I laboured at under the sun.
Interlinear
Cabab
Leb
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:20
Verse Info
Context Readings
Is There Real Happiness In Life?
19 For who knoweth, whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? And yet shall he be lord of all my labours, which I with such wisdom have taken under the Sun. Is not this a vain thing? 20 So I turned me to refrain my mind from all such travail, as I took under the Sun: 21 Forsomuch as a man should weary himself with wisdom, with understanding and opportunity, and yet be fain to leave his labours unto another, that never sweat for them. This is also a vain thing and a great misery.
Cross References
Genesis 43:14
And God almighty give you mercy in the sight of the man and send you your other brother and also Benjamin, and I will be as a man robbed of his children."
Job 17:11-15
My days are past, my thoughts are vanished away, which have vexed my heart,
Psalm 39:6-7
Yea every man walketh as it were a shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain: he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
1 Corinthians 15:19
If in this life only we believe on Christ, then are we, of all men, the miserablest.
2 Corinthians 1:8-10
Brethren, I would not have you ignorant of our trouble, which happened unto us in Asia. For we were grieved out of measure passing strength, so greatly that we despaired even of life.
1 Thessalonians 3:3-4
that no man should be moved in these afflictions. For ye yourselves know that we are even appointed thereunto.