Parallel Verses
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?
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 [
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?
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 For there are many things that increase vanity: what is man advantaged? 12 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?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; and he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 8:13
but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days as a shadow, because he feareth not before God.
James 4:14
ye who do not know what will be on the morrow, (for what is your life? It is even a vapour, appearing for a little while, and then disappearing,)
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no hope of life.
Job 8:9
For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, for our days upon earth are a shadow.
Job 14:21
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, and he perceiveth it not.
Psalm 4:6
Many say, Who shall cause us to see good? Lift up upon us the light of thy countenance, O Jehovah.
Psalm 16:5
Jehovah is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalm 39:5-6
Behold, thou hast made my days as hand-breadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before thee; verily, every man, even the high placed, is altogether vanity. Selah.
Psalm 47:4
He hath chosen our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
Psalm 89:47
Remember, as regards me, what life is. Wherefore hast thou created all the children of men to be vanity?
Psalm 90:10-12
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet their pride is labour and vanity, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalm 102:11
My days are like a lengthened-out shadow, and I, I am withered like grass.
Psalm 109:23
I am gone like a shadow when it lengtheneth; I am tossed about like the locust;
Psalm 144:4
Man is like to vanity; his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I searched in my heart how to cherish my flesh with wine, while practising my heart with wisdom; and how to lay hold on folly, till I should see what was that good for the children of men which they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy is already perished; neither have they any more for ever a portion in all that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the end of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
Jehovah is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Micah 6:8
He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good: and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with thy God?