Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher.
“Vanity of vanities! All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity [futile, meaningless—a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes, merely chasing the wind].”
Ecclesiastes 12:8
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”
Romans 8:20
For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope
Psalm 39:5-6
“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]!
Psalm 144:4
Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a shadow that passes away.
Psalm 62:9-10
Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion).
In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value];
They are together lighter than a breath.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:15
Then I said to myself, “As it happens to the fool, so death will also happen to me. What use is it then for me to be extremely wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This too is vanity (meaningless).”
Ecclesiastes 2:17
So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun caused me only great sorrow; because all is futility and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 2:19
And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit).
Ecclesiastes 2:21
For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil.
Ecclesiastes 2:23
For all his days his work is painful and sorrowful; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity (worthless).
Ecclesiastes 2:26
For to the person who pleases Him God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 3:19
For the [earthly] fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no preeminence or advantage for man [in and of himself] over an animal, for all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
I have seen that every [effort in] labor and every skill in work comes from man’s rivalry with his neighbor. This too is vanity (futility, false pride) and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:8
There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task.
Ecclesiastes 4:16
There is no end to all the people; to all who were before them. Yet those who come later will not be happy with him. Surely this also is vanity (emptiness) and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity (emptiness).
Ecclesiastes 6:11
For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?
Ecclesiastes 11:8
Yes, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is to come will be futility.
Ecclesiastes 11:10
Therefore, remove sorrow and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, for childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]!
Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion).
In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value];
They are together lighter than a breath.
Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a shadow that passes away.