36 Bible Verses about Vanity

But my people have forgotten me. They make smoke offerings to the idols, and they caused them to stumble in their ways, [the] ancient ways, to go [into] {bypaths}, not [one that] is built up.

Humankind is like a breath, his days like a passing shadow.

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted [to you]. Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of [what is] falsely called knowledge,

But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness,

Remind [people] of these [things], solemnly urging [them] before the Lord not to dispute about words. [This is] in no way beneficial [and leads to] the ruin of the hearers.

from which some have deviated, [and] have turned away into fruitless discussion,

I hate those devoted to useless idols, but I trust Yahweh.

{At the same time} they are stupid and foolish, [in the] instruction of idols, it [is] wood.

But my people have forgotten me. They make smoke offerings to the idols, and they caused them to stumble in their ways, [the] ancient ways, to go [into] {bypaths}, not [one that] is built up.

They rejected his statutes, his covenant which he {made} with their ancestors, and his warnings which he gave to them; and they went after the idols, became vain, and [went] after all the nations which [were] all around them, which Yahweh had commanded them not to do as they [did].

All those who form an idol [are] nothing, and their delightful things do not profit. And their witnesses do not see or know, so they will be ashamed. Who would form a god and cast an image of [which] he cannot profit?

Now [this] happened because the {Israelites} had sinned against Yahweh their God when he brought them up from the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh the king of Egypt and they feared other gods. They walked in the statutes of the nations whom Yahweh had driven out from before the {Israelites}, which the kings of Israel had introduced. The {Israelites} secretly did things which [were] not right, against Yahweh their God; they built high places for themselves in all their towns, from the watchtower up to the fortified city. read more.
They set up for themselves stone pillars and poles of Asherah worship on every high hill and under every green tree. They burned incense there on all the high places, like the nations which Yahweh deported before them, and they did evil things to provoke Yahweh. They served idols which Yahweh had said to them, "You shall not do this thing!" Yahweh warned Israel and Judah by the hand of his every prophet, [with] every seer saying, "Turn from all of your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my ordinances, according to all the law which I commanded your ancestors, which I sent to you by the hand of my servants the prophets." But they did not listen and they stiffened their necks, like the necks of their ancestors who did not believe in Yahweh their God. They rejected his statutes, his covenant which he {made} with their ancestors, and his warnings which he gave to them; and they went after the idols, became vain, and [went] after all the nations which [were] all around them, which Yahweh had commanded them not to do as they [did]. They abandoned all the commands of Yahweh their God and made for themselves two molten calf-shaped idols; they made a pole of Asherah worship and bowed down to the army of the heavens and served Baal. They made their sons and their daughters pass through the fire, they practiced divination and read omens, and they sold themselves to do evil in the eyes of Yahweh to provoke him. So Yahweh was very angry with Israel and he removed them from his presence; none remained except the tribe of Judah alone. Even Judah did not keep the commands of Yahweh their God, and they walked in the customs of Israel which they introduced, so Yahweh rejected all the offspring of Israel and punished them, and he gave them into the hand of the plunderers until he banished them from his presence. For he had torn Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king, but Jeroboam detached Israel from following Yahweh, and he made them sin a great sin. The {Israelites} walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he committed, and they did not depart from it, until Yahweh removed Israel from his presence as he had foretold by the hand of all his servants, the prophets. And so he deported Israel from upon his land to Assyria until this day.

Let him not trust in emptiness--he will be deceiving himself-- for worthlessness will be his recompense.

"Therefore thus says Yahweh, 'Please ask among the nations, "Who has heard {the like of this}?" The virgin of Israel has done something very horrible. Does the snow of Lebanon leave from [the] crags of Sirion? Or are [the] cold waters flowing from distant mountains dried up? But my people have forgotten me. They make smoke offerings to the idols, and they caused them to stumble in their ways, [the] ancient ways, to go [into] {bypaths}, not [one that] is built up. read more.
To make their land a horror, [an object of] whistling for eternity. All [who] pass by it will be appalled, and he will shake his head. Like the wind from the east I will scatter them {before} [the] enemy. I will show them [my] back and not [my] face in the day of their disaster.'"

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted [to you]. Turn away from pointless empty talk and contradictions of [what is] falsely called knowledge,

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and contentions and quarrels about the law, for they are useless and fruitless.

But avoid pointless chatter, for it will progress to greater ungodliness,

Remind [people] of these [things], solemnly urging [them] before the Lord not to dispute about words. [This is] in no way beneficial [and leads to] the ruin of the hearers.

from which some have deviated, [and] have turned away into fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the law, [although they] do not understand either [the things] which they are saying or [the things] concerning which they are speaking confidently.

For to the person who [is] good in his eyes, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and heaping up only to give [it] to [him who is] pleasing to him. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!

Sometimes a man is all alone with no companion; he also has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eye is not satisfied with wealth. [He laments,] "For whom am I toiling and depriving {myself} of pleasure?" This also [is] vanity--it is an unhappy business!

His mouth is filled with cursing, with deceits and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and evil.

They speak falseness {to each other}. [With] flattering lips, [with] {a double heart} they speak.

And when one comes to see [me], he speaks falsely; his heart gathers disaster for itself. He goes out to the street; he speaks.

the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples conspire in vain?

For [although they] knew God, they did not honor [him] as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Why are nations in tumult, and countries plotting in vain?

This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, [that] you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind, being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance [that] is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, who, becoming callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness, for the pursuit of all uncleanness in greediness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all impiety and unrighteousness of people, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is evident among them, for God made [it] clear to them. For from the creation of the world, his invisible [attributes], both his eternal power and deity, are discerned clearly, being understood in the things created, so that they are without excuse. read more.
For [although they] knew God, they did not honor [him] as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings and birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.

Give us help against [the] adversary, for the help of humankind [is] futile.

Still our eyes failed, [looking for] our help in vain; in our watchtower, we kept watch for a nation that could not save.

They have sown wheat and they have reaped thorns. They are exhausted, they do not profit. And they will be ashamed of your produce, because of {the burning anger} of Yahweh."

He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his anger will fail.

Turn away my eyes from looking at [what is] worthless; revive me in your ways.

Keep falsehood and a {lying word} far from me; do not give me poverty or wealth; provide me [with] food [only for] my need.

For the training of the body is {somewhat} profitable, but godliness is profitable for everything, [because it] holds promise for the present life and for the [life] to come.

Do not be carried away by various and strange teachings, for [it is] good [for] the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods by which those who participate have not benefited.

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?

I loathe [my life]; I would not live forever; depart from me, for my days [are] a breath.

Surely a man walks about as a [mere] {shadow}; surely in vain they bustle about. He heaps up [possessions] but does not know who [will] gather them [in].

This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, [that] you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind,

"Can you find [out] the essence of God, or can you find [out] {the ultimate limits} of Shaddai? {It is higher than the heaven}; what can you do? [It is] deeper than Sheol; what can you know? Its measure [is] longer than [the] earth and broader than [the] sea. read more.
"If he passes through and imprisons someone {and summons the assembly}, then who can hinder him? For he knows {those who are worthless}; {when he sees} iniquity, {he will not consider it}. But {an empty-headed person} will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born [as] a human being.

But do you want to know, O foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works [when he] offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was working together with his works, and by the works the faith was perfected.

When {you cry}, let your collection deliver you, and [the] wind will carry all of them away; a breath will take [them] away. But he who takes refuge in me shall take possession [of] [the] land, and he shall inherit my {holy mountain}."

And he consumed their days with futility their years with terror.

the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples conspire in vain?

For [although they] knew God, they did not honor [him] as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasoning, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Why are nations in tumult, and countries plotting in vain?

"But [when you] pray, do not babble repetitiously like the pagans, for they think that because of their many words they will be heard.

You must not {continue} to bring offerings of futility, incense--it [is] an abomination to me; new moon and Sabbath, [the] calling of a convocation-- I cannot endure iniquity with [solemn] assembly.

Who [is] Shaddai that we should serve him, or what would we benefit when we plead with him?'

You have said, '[It is] useless to serve God! What [is the] gain if we keep his requirements, and if we walk as mourners {before} Yahweh of hosts?

Only a vapor [are] men of low degree, a deception [are] men of high degree. {Weighed} in a balance, together they [are lighter] than a vapor.

[When] with rebukes you chastise a man for sin, you {consume} like a moth his delightful [things]. Surely everyone [is] a [mere] vapor. Selah

{And when Moses finished speaking} all these words to all Israel, then he said to them, "{Take to heart all the words} that I [am] admonishing [against] you {today} [concerning] which you should instruct them [with respect to] your children {so that they will observe diligently} all the words of this law, for it [is] not a trifling matter among you, but it [is] your life, and through this word {you will live long in the land} that you [are about] to cross the Jordan [to get] there to take possession of it."

and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."

For although a person may toil with great wisdom and skill, he must leave his reward to someone who has not toiled for it. This also [is] vanity and a great calamity.

So I said {to myself}, "{If I also suffer the same fate as the fool}, {what advantage is my great wisdom}?" So I said {to myself}, "This also [is] vanity!"

Who [is] Shaddai that we should serve him, or what would we benefit when we plead with him?'

You have said, '[It is] useless to serve God! What [is the] gain if we keep his requirements, and if we walk as mourners {before} Yahweh of hosts?

His mouth is filled with cursing, with deceits and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and evil.

They speak falseness {to each other}. [With] flattering lips, [with] {a double heart} they speak.

And when one comes to see [me], he speaks falsely; his heart gathers disaster for itself. He goes out to the street; he speaks.

When {you cry}, let your collection deliver you, and [the] wind will carry all of them away; a breath will take [them] away. But he who takes refuge in me shall take possession [of] [the] land, and he shall inherit my {holy mountain}."

And he consumed their days with futility their years with terror.

They have sown wheat and they have reaped thorns. They are exhausted, they do not profit. And they will be ashamed of your produce, because of {the burning anger} of Yahweh."

He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his anger will fail.

[When] with rebukes you chastise a man for sin, you {consume} like a moth his delightful [things]. Surely everyone [is] a [mere] vapor. Selah

Charm [is] deceit and beauty [is] vain; [but] a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.

Turn away my eyes from looking at [what is] worthless; revive me in your ways.

Keep falsehood and a {lying word} far from me; do not give me poverty or wealth; provide me [with] food [only for] my need.

And if I parcel out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body in order that I will be burned, but do not have love, it benefits [me] nothing.

Banish anxiety from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and vigor [are] vanity.

Surely a man walks about as a [mere] {shadow}; surely in vain they bustle about. He heaps up [possessions] but does not know who [will] gather them [in].

This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, [that] you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind,

I also {explored} {the effects of indulging my flesh} with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, {I investigated} folly so that I might discover what [is] good under heaven for {humans} to do {during the days of their lives}.

I neither withheld anything from my eyes that they desired, nor did I deprive any pleasure from my heart. My heart rejoiced in all my toil, for this was my reward from all my toil. Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"

I said {to myself}, "Come! I will test pleasure {to see whether it is worthwhile}." But look, "This also [is] vanity!"

"Vanity of vanities!" says the Teacher, "Vanity of vanities! All [is] vanity!"

God gives a man wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; yet God does not enable him to enjoy it--instead someone else ends up enjoying it. This [is] vanity--indeed, it [is] a grievous ill!

Yahweh, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in [the] day of distress, to you [the] nations will come from the ends of [the] earth, and they will say, "Our ancestors have inherited only lies, vanity, and there is no profit in them.

For I consider that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory that is about to be revealed to us. For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected [it], in hope read more.
that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Surely a man walks about as a [mere] {shadow}; surely in vain they bustle about. He heaps up [possessions] but does not know who [will] gather them [in].

[It is] in vain for you who rise early [and] sit late, eating the bread of anxious toil, [when] thus he provides for his beloved in [his] sleep.

Wealth [gained] from haste will dwindle, but he who gathers {little by little} will increase it.

He who tills his ground will have plenty bread, but he who follows fantasies will have plenty [of] poverty.

Wealth [gained] from haste will dwindle, but he who gathers {little by little} will increase it.

He who works his land will have plenty of food, but he who follows worthless things lacks {sense}.

Look, I [am] against those who prophesy dreams of lies," {declares} Yahweh, "and tell them, and they caused my people to err through their lies, and in their recklessness, when I myself have not sent them nor commanded them, so they profit not this people at all," {declares} Yahweh.

I hate {the double-minded}, but I love your law.

He who sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his anger will fail.

Treasures of wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

{For by speaking high-sounding but empty words}, they entice with desires of the flesh [and] with licentiousness those who are scarcely escaping from those who live in error,

Thus says Yahweh: "What injustice did your ancestors find in me that they were far from me, and they went after the vanity, and they became vain?

Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"

I also realized that all [of the] toil and all [of] the skillful work that is done--it [is] envy between one man and {another}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!

[because you] know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your ancestors not with perishable things like silver or gold,

For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected [it], in hope

Humankind is like a breath, his days like a passing shadow.

[When] with rebukes you chastise a man for sin, you {consume} like a moth his delightful [things]. Surely everyone [is] a [mere] vapor. Selah

He plans sin on his bed. He puts himself on a way [that is] not good. He does not reject evil.

I do not sit with deceitful people, nor will I go about with hypocrites.

He who is innocent of hands and pure of heart, who does not lift up his soul to falseness, and does not swear deceitfully.

I hate {the double-minded}, but I love your law.

Look, you have made my days [mere] handbreadths, and my lifespan as nothing next to you. Surely every person standing firm [is] complete vanity. Selah

If anyone thinks he is religious, [although he] does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion [is] worthless.

What [is] the benefit, my brothers, if someone says [that he] has faith but does not have works? That faith [is] not able to save him, [is it]?

Yahweh, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in [the] day of distress, to you [the] nations will come from the ends of [the] earth, and they will say, "Our ancestors have inherited only lies, vanity, and there is no profit in them.

But {an empty-headed person} will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born [as] a human being.

For he knows {those who are worthless}; {when he sees} iniquity, {he will not consider it}.

But {an empty-headed person} will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born [as] a human being.

For he knows {those who are worthless}; {when he sees} iniquity, {he will not consider it}.

O sons of man, how long will my honor be a disgrace? [How long] will you love vanity? [How long] will you seek lies? Selah

"Surely God does not hear an empty plea, and Shaddai does not regard it.

I myself will declare your righteousness and your works, but they will not benefit you.

{I accomplished great things}. I built for myself houses; I planted for myself vineyards. I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted all [sorts of] fruit trees in them. I made for myself pools of water from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees. read more.
I acquired male slaves and female slaves, as well as children [born in my] house. I also had livestock, cattle, and flocks more than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered to myself silver and gold--the royal and provincial treasuries. I acquired for myself male and female singers, as well as the delight of {men}, {voluptuous concubines}. Thus, {I accomplished far more} than anyone who [was] before me in Jerusalem--indeed, my wisdom stood by me. I neither withheld anything from my eyes that they desired, nor did I deprive any pleasure from my heart. My heart rejoiced in all my toil, for this was my reward from all my toil. Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"

Let him not trust in emptiness--he will be deceiving himself-- for worthlessness will be his recompense.

{For by speaking high-sounding but empty words}, they entice with desires of the flesh [and] with licentiousness those who are scarcely escaping from those who live in error,

And if I parcel out all my possessions, and if I hand over my body in order that I will be burned, but do not have love, it benefits [me] nothing.

Yahweh knows [the] thoughts of humankind, that {they [are] to no purpose}.

Humankind is like a breath, his days like a passing shadow.

[When] with rebukes you chastise a man for sin, you {consume} like a moth his delightful [things]. Surely everyone [is] a [mere] vapor. Selah

Thus says Yahweh: "What injustice did your ancestors find in me that they were far from me, and they went after the vanity, and they became vain?

He plans sin on his bed. He puts himself on a way [that is] not good. He does not reject evil.

He who makes treasure by a lying tongue [is a] fleeting vapor [and] seeker of death.

Only a vapor [are] men of low degree, a deception [are] men of high degree. {Weighed} in a balance, together they [are lighter] than a vapor.

Whoever loves money is not satisfied [with] money, and whoever loves wealth [is] not [satisfied with] profit. This also [is] vanity!

Look, you [are] relying for yourselves on {deceitful words} without benefiting.

You [yourselves] were shown [this wonder] in order [for you] to acknowledge that Yahweh [is] the God; there is no other [God] {besides him}.

I do not sit with deceitful people, nor will I go about with hypocrites.

He who is innocent of hands and pure of heart, who does not lift up his soul to falseness, and does not swear deceitfully.

O sons of man, how long will my honor be a disgrace? [How long] will you love vanity? [How long] will you seek lies? Selah

I said {to myself}, "Come! I will test pleasure {to see whether it is worthwhile}." But look, "This also [is] vanity!"