NETBible | Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil 1 and chasing the wind. |
NIV © |
Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. |
NASB © |
One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind. |
NLT © |
They feel it is better to be lazy and barely survive than to work hard, especially when in the long run everything is so futile. |
MSG © |
One handful of peaceful repose Is better than two fistfuls of worried work--More spitting into the wind. |
BBE © |
One hand full of rest is better than two hands full of trouble and desire for wind. |
NRSV © |
Better is a handful with quiet than two handfuls with toil, and a chasing after wind. |
NKJV © |
Better a handful with quietness Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. |
KJV | Better <02896> [is] an handful <03709> [with] quietness <05183>_, than both the hands <02651> full <04393> [with] travail <05999> and vexation <07469> of spirit <07307>_. |
NASB © |
One hand <3709> full <4393> of rest <5183> is better <2896> than <4480> two fists <2651> full <4393> of labor <5999> and striving <7469> after wind .<7307> |
LXXM | agayon <18> A-NSN plhrwma <4138> N-NSN drakov {N-GSF} anapausewv <372> N-GSF uper <5228> PREP plhrwma <4138> N-ASN duo <1417> N-NUI drakwn {N-GPF} mocyou <3449> N-GSM kai <2532> CONJ proairesewv {N-GSF} pneumatov <4151> N-GSN |
NET [draft] ITL | Better <02896> is one handful <03709> handful <04393> with some rest <05183> than two hands <02651> full <04393> of toil <05999> and chasing <07469> the wind .<07307> |
HEBREW | xwr <07307> twerw <07469> lme <05999> Mynpx <02651> almm <04393> txn <05183> Pk <03709> alm <04393> bwj (4:6) <02896> |
NETBible | Better is one handful with some rest than two hands full of toil 1 and chasing the wind. |
NET Notes |
1 sn Qoheleth lists three approaches to labor: (1) the competitive workaholic in 4:4, (2) the impoverished sluggard in 4:5, and (3) the contented laborer in 4:6. The balanced approach rebukes the two extremes. |