Parallel Verses
International Standard Version
Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth.
New American Standard Bible
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had
King James Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Holman Bible
When I considered all that I had accomplished
A Conservative Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
American Standard Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Amplified
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.
Bible in Basic English
Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Darby Translation
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that it had cost me to do them; and behold, all was vanity and pursuit of the wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Julia Smith Translation
And I looked upon all my works my hands made, and upon the labor I labored to do, and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit, and no profit under the sun.
King James 2000
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had made, and on the labor that I had expended on it: and, behold, all was vanity and like grasping the wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"
Modern King James verseion
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
But when I considered all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labours that I had taken therein: Lo, all was vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun.
NET Bible
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."
New Heart English Bible
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
The Emphasized Bible
When, I, looked upon all my works, which my hands had made, and on my toil, whereon I had toilsomely wrought, then lo! all, was vanity, and feeding on wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Webster
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
World English Bible
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Youngs Literal Translation
and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun!
Themes
worldly Amusements and pleasures » Are all vanity
Amusements and worldly pleasures » Vain
Dissatisfaction » With the sinful life
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Music » Vanity of all unsanctified
Toil » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Worldliness » Seen in the tendency to imitate worldly customs, etc » Unprofitable
Topics
Interlinear
Panah
Yad
`amal
Yithrown
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:11
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Personal Accomplishment
10 Whenever I wanted something I had seen, I never refused that desire. Instead, I enjoyed everything I did, and this became the reward in what I had undertaken. 11 Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth. 12 Next I turned to examine wisdom, insanity, and foolishness, because what can a person do who succeeds the king except what has already been accomplished?
Phrases
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 1:3
What does a man gain from all of the work that he undertakes on earth?
Genesis 1:31
Now God saw all that he had made, and indeed, it was very good! The twilight and the dawn were the sixth day.
Exodus 39:43
Moses blessed them when he saw all the work and that they had completed it. They had done it just as the LORD had commanded.
Ecclesiastes 2:17-23
So I hated life, because whatever is done on earth causes me trouble it's all pointless, like chasing after the wind.
Habakkuk 2:13
Is it not because of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies that people grow tired putting out fires, and nations weary themselves over nothing?
1 Timothy 6:6
Of course, godliness with contentment does bring a great profit.
1 John 2:16-17
For everything that is in the world the desire for fleshly gratification, the desire for possessions, and worldly arrogance is not from the Father but is from the world.