Parallel Verses

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 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.

International Standard Version

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

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 decided to carefully and thoroughly examine all that has been accomplished on earth. I concluded: God has given people a burdensome task that keeps them occupied. 14 I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile -- like chasing the wind! 15 What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is missing cannot be supplied.



Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:11

Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless -- like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."

Ecclesiastes 2:17

So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile -- like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner, he gives the task of amassing wealth -- only to give it to the one who pleases God. This task of the wicked is futile -- like chasing the wind!

1 Kings 4:30-32

Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt.

Psalm 39:5-6

Look, you make my days short-lived, and my life span is nothing from your perspective. Surely all people, even those who seem secure, are nothing but vapor.

Ecclesiastes 1:17-18

So I decided to discern the benefit of wisdom and knowledge over foolish behavior and ideas; however, I concluded that even this endeavor is like trying to chase the wind!

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I considered all the skillful work that is done: Surely it is nothing more than competition between one person and another. This also is profitless -- like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9

It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the 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