Parallel Verses
Bible in Basic English
Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?
New American Standard Bible
For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few
King James Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Holman Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow?
A Conservative Version
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
American Standard Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Amplified
For who [
Darby Translation
For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
Julia Smith Translation
For who shall know what is for man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he will make them as a shadow? for who shall announce to man what shall be after him under the sun?
King James 2000
For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Lexham Expanded Bible
For who knows what [is] good for a man in his life during the few days of his fleeting life, which are fleeting as a shadow? For who can tell anyone what will happen {in the future} under the sun?
Modern King James verseion
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?
NET Bible
For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.
New Heart English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
The Emphasized Bible
For who knoweth what is good for a man throughout his life, for the number of the days of his life of vanity, seeing he will make them, like a shadow, - for who can tell a man, what shall be after him, under the sun?
Webster
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
World English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
Youngs Literal Translation
For who knoweth what is good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?
Themes
Life » Uncertainty of physical » Only a handbreadth in extent
Life » Brief » Only a handbreadth in extent
natural Life » Is compared to » A shadow
natural Life » Described as » Vain
natural Life » We know not what is good for us in
Man » Not profited by all his labor and travail
Man » Ignorant of what is good for him
Topics
Interlinear
Yada`
Towb
Chay
Micpar
Nagad
References
Hastings
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:12
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Future Is Inscrutable To Humans
11 There are words without number for increasing what is to no purpose, but what is man profited by them? 12 Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
He comes out like a flower, and is cut down: he goes in flight like a shade, and is never seen again.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work--because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?
Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it will not be well for the evil-doer; he will not make his days long like a shade, because he has no fear before God.
James 4:14
When you are not certain what will take place tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist, which is seen for a little time and then is gone.
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we, as all our fathers were, are like men from a strange country before you, who have got a place for a time in the land; our days on the earth are like a shade, and there is no hope of going on.
Job 8:9
(For we are but of yesterday, and have no knowledge, because our days on earth are gone like a shade:)
Job 14:21
His sons come to honour, and he has no knowledge of it; they are made low, but he is not conscious of it.
Psalm 4:6
There are numbers who say, Who will do us any good? the light of his face has gone from us.
Psalm 16:5
The Lord is my heritage and the wine of my cup; you are the supporter of my right.
Psalm 39:5-6
You have made my days no longer than a hand's measure; and my years are nothing in your eyes; truly, every man is but a breath. (Selah.)
Psalm 47:4
He will give us our heritage, the glory of Jacob who is dear to him. (Selah.)
Psalm 89:47
See how short my time is; why have you made all men for no purpose?
Psalm 109:23
I am gone like the shade when it is stretched out: I am forced out of my place like a locust.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I made a search with my heart to give pleasure to my flesh with wine, still guiding my heart with wisdom, and to go after foolish things, so that I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
No one is certain what is to be, and who is able to say to him when it will be?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Their love and their hate and their envy are now ended; and they have no longer a part for ever in anything which is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
This is the last word. All has been said. Have fear of God and keep his laws; because this is right for every man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
I said to myself, The Lord is my heritage; and because of this I will have hope in him.
Micah 6:8
He has made clear to you, O man, what is good; and what is desired from you by the Lord; only doing what is right, and loving mercy, and walking without pride before your God.