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Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New International Version
7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.(A)
Riches Are Meaningless
8 If you see the poor oppressed(B) in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
King James Version
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
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Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
English Standard Version
7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;[a] but[b] (A)God is the one you must fear.
The Vanity of Wealth and Honor
8 (B)If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, (C)do not be amazed at the matter, (D)for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.
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- Ecclesiastes 5:7 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath”; also verse 10 (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or For when dreams and vanities increase, words also grow many; but
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New King James Version
7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But (A)fear God.
The Vanity of Gain and Honor
8 If you (B)see the oppression of the poor, and the violent [a]perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for (C)high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
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- Ecclesiastes 5:8 wresting
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New American Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 5:7-8
New American Standard Bible
7 For in many dreams and in many words there is futility. Rather, [a](A)fear God.
8 If you see (B)oppression of the poor and (C)denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be (D)shocked at the [b]sight; for one [c]official watches over another [d]official, and there are higher [e]officials over them.
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- Ecclesiastes 5:7 Or revere
- Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit delight
- Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit high one
- Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit high one
- Ecclesiastes 5:8 Lit ones
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.