36 Bible Verses about Vanity

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called;

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

From which some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling;

I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. Who hath formed a god, or cast a graven image that is profitable for nothing?

For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel which they had made. And the children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built for themselves high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. read more.
And they set up for themselves images and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree: And there they burnt incense on all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: For they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, Ye shall not do this thing. Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them. And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompense.

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ask ye now among the heathen, who hath heard such things: the virgin of Israel hath done a very horrible thing. Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which cometh from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; read more.
To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called;

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they contend not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.

From which some having swerved, have turned aside to vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor concerning what they affirm.

For God giveth to a man who is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth toil, to gather, and to amass, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yes, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yes, it is a grievous labor.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

And if he cometh to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God, is manifest in them; for God hath shown it to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: read more.
Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools: And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping animals.

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and revive thou me in thy way.

Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied in them.

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?

I lothe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. read more.
If he shall cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him? For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it? For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild ass's colt.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

Who, by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination to me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot endure; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel; And he said to them, Set your hearts to all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is not a vain thing for you: because it is your life; and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

For there is a man whose labor is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not labored in it, shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.

They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

And if he cometh to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.

When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;

Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and revive thou me in thy way.

Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

I sought in my heart, to give myself to wine, yet acquainting my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.

And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity.

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honor, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat of it, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

O LORD, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things in which there is no profit.

For I reckon, that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope: read more.
Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

It is vain for you to rise early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.

He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase.

He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that had quite escaped from them who live in error.

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain course of life received by tradition from your fathers;

For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope:

Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Behold, thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth; and my age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

If any man among you seemeth to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man sayeth he hath faith, and hath not works? can faith save him?

O LORD, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come to thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things in which there is no profit.

For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild ass's colt.

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild ass's colt.

For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee.

I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water with them the wood that bringeth forth trees: read more.
I procured me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings, and of the provinces: I procured me men-singers and women-singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompense.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that had quite escaped from them who live in error.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.

When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

To thee it was shown, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none besides him.

I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity.