Parallel Verses

NET Bible

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

New American Standard Bible

Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

King James Version

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

Holman Bible

“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”

International Standard Version

"Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Everything is pointless."

A Conservative Version

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, all is vanity.

American Standard Version

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

Amplified

“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”

Bible in Basic English

All things are to no purpose, says the Preacher, all is to no purpose.

Darby Translation

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

Julia Smith Translation

Vanity of vanities, said the preacher; all is vanity.

King James 2000

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.

Lexham Expanded Bible

"Vanity of vanity!" says the Teacher. "Everything [is] vanity!"

Modern King James verseion

Vanity of vanities, says the preacher; all is vanity.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

All is but vanity - sayeth the preacher - all is but plain vanity.

New Heart English Bible

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity.

The Emphasized Bible

Vanity of vanities, saith the Proclaimer, all, is vanity.

Webster

Vanity of vanities saith the preacher; all is vanity.

World English Bible

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher. "All is vanity!"

Youngs Literal Translation

Vanity of vanities, said the preacher, the whole is vanity.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

the preacher
קהלת 
Qoheleth 
Usage: 7

References

Hastings

Context Readings

Motto Restated

7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the life's breath returns to God who gave it. 8 "Absolutely futile!" laments the Teacher, "All of these things are futile!" 9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.

Cross References

Ecclesiastes 1:2

"Futile! Futile!" laments the Teacher, "Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!"

Psalm 62:9

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.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

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

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 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 6:12

For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.

Ecclesiastes 8:8

Just as no one has power over the wind to restrain it, so no one has power over the day of his death. Just as no one can be discharged during the battle, so wickedness cannot rescue the wicked.

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