Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. New Living Translation Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! English Standard Version He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Berean Standard Bible He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. King James Bible He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. New King James Version He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. New American Standard Bible One who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor one who loves abundance with its income. This too is futility. NASB 1995 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. NASB 1977 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity. Legacy Standard Bible He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its produce. This too is vanity. Amplified Bible He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity (emptiness). Christian Standard Bible The one who loves silver is never satisfied with silver, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile. American Standard Version He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. Contemporary English Version If you love money and wealth, you will never be satisfied with what you have. This doesn't make a bit of sense. English Revised Version He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this also is vanity. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with more income. Even this is pointless. Good News Translation If you love money, you will never be satisfied; if you long to be rich, you will never get all you want. It is useless. International Standard Version Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. Majority Standard Bible He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. NET Bible The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile. New Heart English Bible He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity. Webster's Bible Translation He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. World English Bible He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhoever is loving silver is not satisfied [with] silver, nor he who is in love with stores [with] increase. Even this [is] vanity. Young's Literal Translation Whoso is loving silver is not satisfied with silver, nor he who is in love with stores with increase. Even this is vanity. Smith's Literal Translation He loving silver shall not be satisfied with silver; and whoever loved not the increase with the multitude. Also this is vanity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleA covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loveth riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible The covetous are never satisfied with money, nor lovers of wealth with their gain; so this too is vanity. New Revised Standard Version The lover of money will not be satisfied with money; nor the lover of wealth, with gain. This also is vanity. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who loves money shall not be satisfied with money; and he who loves wealth shall not retain it. This is also vanity. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver and he who loves money will not keep it, and this also is futility OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase; this also is vanity. Brenton Septuagint Translation He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver: and who has loved gain, in the abundance thereof? this is also vanity. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Futility of Wealth…9The produce of the earth is taken by all; the king himself profits from the fields. 10He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile. 11When good things increase, so do those who consume them; what then is the profit to the owner, except to behold them with his eyes?… Cross References 1 Timothy 6:9-10 Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Luke 12:15 And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Proverbs 23:4-5 Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky. Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.” Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. James 5:1-3 Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like foliage. Matthew 19:23-24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. / Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. Proverbs 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. Psalm 62:10 Place no trust in extortion or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. Luke 18:24-25 Seeing the man’s sadness, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! / Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but one eager to be rich will not go unpunished. Treasury of Scripture He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loves abundance with increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 4:8 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. Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labour of man is for his mouth, and yet the appetite is not filled. Psalm 52:1,7 To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually… this Ecclesiastes 1:17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 2:11,17,18,26 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun… Ecclesiastes 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. Jump to Previous Abundance Enough Gain Income Increase Loves Loving Meaningless Money Profit Purpose Satisfied Silver Stores Vanity WealthJump to Next Abundance Enough Gain Income Increase Loves Loving Meaningless Money Profit Purpose Satisfied Silver Stores Vanity WealthEcclesiastes 5 1. vanities in divine service8. in murmuring against oppression 9. and in riches 18. Joy in riches is the gift of God. He who loves money is never satisfied by money This phrase highlights the insatiable nature of human desire for wealth. In biblical context, the love of money is often portrayed as a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). The pursuit of wealth can lead to a never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction, as material possessions cannot fulfill spiritual needs. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, were agrarian and valued wealth in terms of land, livestock, and produce. The warning here is timeless, emphasizing that material wealth cannot bring true contentment or happiness. and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income This too is futile Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings. His experiences provide a backdrop for the reflections in Ecclesiastes. 2. Israel - The nation over which Solomon reigned. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time influences the themes of wealth and satisfaction in Ecclesiastes. 3. The Preacher (Qoheleth) - The voice in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment. Teaching Points The Futility of MaterialismThe pursuit of wealth as a source of satisfaction is ultimately futile. True contentment cannot be found in material possessions. The Insatiable Nature of Greed A love for money leads to an endless cycle of desire and dissatisfaction. Recognizing this can help redirect our focus to more meaningful pursuits. Contentment in Godliness True satisfaction comes from a relationship with God and living according to His principles, rather than accumulating wealth. The Danger of Idolatry Placing wealth above God can become a form of idolatry, drawing us away from our spiritual priorities. Stewardship Over Ownership Viewing wealth as a tool for stewardship rather than ownership can shift our perspective from accumulation to generosity and service.Verses 10-17. - The thought of the acts of injustice and oppression noticed above, all of which spring from the craving for money, leads the bard to dwell upon the evils that accompany this pursuit and possession of wealth, which is thus seen to give no real satisfaction. Avarice has already been noticed (Ecclesiastes 4:7-12); the covetous man now reprobated is one who desires wealth only for the enjoyment he can get from it, or the display which it enables him to make, not, like the miser, who gloats over its mere possession. Various instances are given in which riches are unprofitable and vain. Verse 10. - He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver. "Silver," the generic name for money, as Greek ἀργύριον and French argent. The insatiableness of the passion for money is a common theme of poets, moralists, and satirists, and is found in the proverbs of all nations. Thus Horace ('Ep.,' 1:2. 56): "Semper avarus eget;" to which St Jerome alludes ('Epist.,' 53), "Antiquum dictum est, Avaro tam deest, quod habet, quam quod non habet." Comp. Juvenal, 'Sat.,' 14:139 - "Interea pleno quum forget sacculus ere, "Creverunt etopes et opum furiosa cupido, Hebrew He who lovesאֹהֵ֥ב (’ō·hêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 157: To have affection f money כֶּ֙סֶף֙ (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money is never לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no satisfied יִשְׂבַּ֣ע (yiś·ba‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7646: To be sated, satisfied or surfeited by money, כֶּ֔סֶף (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3701: Silver, money and he who וּמִֽי־ (ū·mî-) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix loves אֹהֵ֥ב (’ō·hêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 157: To have affection f wealth בֶּהָמ֖וֹן (be·hā·mō·wn) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth is never לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no satisfied by income. תְבוּאָ֑ה (ṯə·ḇū·’āh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 8393: Product, revenue This זֶ֖ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that too גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and is futile. הָֽבֶל׃ (hā·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory Links Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIVEcclesiastes 5:10 NLT Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV Ecclesiastes 5:10 NASB Ecclesiastes 5:10 KJV Ecclesiastes 5:10 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 5:10 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 5:10 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 5:10 French Bible Ecclesiastes 5:10 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver shall not be (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.) |