Parallel Verses

International Standard Version

I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind.

New American Standard Bible

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.

King James Version

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Holman Bible

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

A Conservative Version

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

American Standard Version

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Amplified

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a futile grasping and chasing after the wind.

Bible in Basic English

I have seen all the works which are done under the sun; all is to no purpose, and desire for wind.

Darby Translation

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

Julia Smith Translation

I saw all the works they did under the sun; and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit

King James 2000

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and like grasping the wind.

Lexham Expanded Bible

I saw all the works that are done under the sun. Look! Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind.

Modern King James verseion

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

Thus I have considered all the things that come to pass under the Sun, and lo, they are all but vanity and vexation of mind.

NET Bible

I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile -- like chasing the wind!

New Heart English Bible

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

The Emphasized Bible

I saw all the works which were done under the sun, - and lo! all, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.

Webster

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

World English Bible

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.

Youngs Literal Translation

I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit!

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
ראה 
Ra'ah 
Usage: 1308

all the works
מעשׂה 
Ma`aseh 
Usage: 234

under the sun
שׁמשׁ 
Shemesh 
Usage: 134

and, behold, all is vanity
הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

and vexation
רעוּת 
R@`uwth 
Usage: 7

Verse Info

Context Readings

Qohelet Introduces His Quest

13 I dedicated myself to using wisdom for study and discovery of everything that is done under heaven. God uses terrible things so human beings will struggle with life. 14 I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind. 15 What is crooked cannot be made straight; what is not there cannot be counted.



Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble it's all pointless, like chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

1 Kings 4:30-32

Solomon was wiser than any of the eastern leaders and wiser than anyone in Egypt.

Psalm 39:5-6

Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude

Ecclesiastes 1:17-18

So I dedicated myself to learn about wisdom and knowledge, and about insanity and foolishness. And I discovered that this is also like chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain