² Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. ³ What advantage does man have in all his work
Which he does under the sun?
⁴ One generation goes and another generation comes, but the earth remains forever (without end).

Phrases

On Earth

Under the Sun

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 2:11

I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:9

What profit is there to the worker in his work?

Ecclesiastes 5:16

This also is a serious evil. Just as we came we will go. Whatever profit or gain we earned we loose as if we labored for the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:22

What does a man get for all his work, and for the desire of his heart with which he has done his work under the sun?

Proverbs 23:4-5

Do not exhaust yourself to get rich. Be wise and show restraint.

Ecclesiastes 2:19

Who knows if he will be a wise man or a fool? But he will have power over all the work that I have done and in which I have been wise under the sun. This too is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:3

Better off then both of them is the one who has not ever been, who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:7

Then I came back and saw vanity under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

This is what I have seen. It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. He labors under the sun all the days of his life. For God gives this to him as his allotment (inheritance).

Ecclesiastes 6:12

Who knows what is good for man in this life? Are all the days of his vain life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after his existence under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 7:11

Wisdom is good as an inheritance: It is an advantage to those who see the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15-17

Then I commended enjoyment (pleasure), because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry. That will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life, which God gives him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:3

This evil is in all things that are done under the sun. There is one event that comes to all. The heart of the sons of men is full of evil. Madness is in their heart while they live. After that they go to the dead (die).

Ecclesiastes 9:6

Their love, their hatred, and their envy, is now gone, perished! They do not share anything that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:13

I have seen this wisdom under the sun, and it seemed important to me.

Isaiah 55:2

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

Habakkuk 2:13

Is it for Jehovah of Hosts that the peoples labor for the fire? Do the nations weary themselves for vanity?

Habakkuk 2:18

What is an idol worth after the carver is done? It is merely a false god. Why trust a speechless image made by human hands from wood or metal?

Matthew 16:26

What will a man profit, if he gains the whole world, and gives up his life? What will a man give in exchange for his life?

Mark 8:36-37

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?

John 6:27

Do not work for food that perishes but for food that offers everlasting life. The Son of man will give you this food. The Father, even God, has set his seal upon him.