Ecclesiastes 1:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Ecclesiastes 1:2

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

General references

Bible References

General references

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."

For the fate of humans and the fate of animals are the same: As one dies, so dies the other; both have the same breath. There is no advantage for humans over animals, for both are fleeting.

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.

The one who loves money will never be satisfied with money, he who loves wealth will never be satisfied with his income. This also is futile.

The more one argues with words, the less he accomplishes. How does that benefit him?

So, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all, but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many -- all that is about to come is obscure.

"Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, "All of these things are futile!"

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.

Men are nothing but a mere breath; human beings are unreliable. When they are weighed in the scales, all of them together are lighter than air.

People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears.

For the creation was subjected to futility -- not willingly but because of God who subjected it -- in hope