Ecclesiastes 3:19 deepens the despair of 2:20 by noting humans share the same fate as beasts—death levels all toil.

Ecclesiastes 7:25 shows the opposite response to futility—a determined search for wisdom instead of despair.

Job 17:11-15 expresses total hopelessness as plans are shattered—directly mirroring the despair over labor's futility here.

Psalm 39:6 laments heaping up wealth for someone else—the exact same frustration that drives the despair here over laboring for an unknown heir.

Psalm 39:7 turns from despair to hope in the Lord—a direct contrast to the hopelessness expressed here.

1 Corinthians 15:19 says if hope is only for this life we are pitiable—contrasting this life-only perspective with eternal hope.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 describes despair that leads to reliance on God who raises the dead—contrasting with the unresolved despair here.

Psalm 127:2 echoes the futility of anxious toil but offers a divine alternative—God gives sleep to those He loves.