KJV ORIGINAL
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
I have observed the difficult work that God has given to people to keep them busy.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is acknowledging that God has given humans challenging work and struggles as part of their experience in life.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon (or a writer in his tradition) around 950-700 BC. Solomon was reflecting on the meaning of life after experiencing great wealth, wisdom, and power, yet finding much of it empty. The Hebrew word 'travail' suggests both labor and suffering, indicating the burdensome nature of human existence that requires constant effort.
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