Parallel Verses
Julia Smith Translation
For who shall know what is for man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he will make them as a shadow? for who shall announce to man what shall be after him under the sun?
New American Standard Bible
For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few
King James Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Holman Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow?
A Conservative Version
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
American Standard Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Amplified
For who [
Bible in Basic English
Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?
Darby Translation
For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
King James 2000
For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Lexham Expanded Bible
For who knows what [is] good for a man in his life during the few days of his fleeting life, which are fleeting as a shadow? For who can tell anyone what will happen {in the future} under the sun?
Modern King James verseion
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow? For who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?
NET Bible
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.
New Heart English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
The Emphasized Bible
For who knoweth what is good for a man throughout his life, for the number of the days of his life of vanity, seeing he will make them, like a shadow, - for who can tell a man, what shall be after him, under the sun?
Webster
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
World English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
Youngs Literal Translation
For who knoweth what is good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?
Themes
Life » Uncertainty of physical » Only a handbreadth in extent
Life » Brief » Only a handbreadth in extent
natural Life » Is compared to » A shadow
natural Life » Described as » Vain
natural Life » We know not what is good for us in
Man » Not profited by all his labor and travail
Man » Ignorant of what is good for him
Topics
Interlinear
Yada`
Towb
Chay
Micpar
Nagad
References
Hastings
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:12
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Future Is Inscrutable To Humans
11 For there is many words increasing vanity, what shall remain to man? 12 For who shall know what is for man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he will make them as a shadow? for who shall announce to man what shall be after him under the sun?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
And as a flower he will come forth, and will be cut down: and he will flee as a shadow, and shall not stand.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
And I saw that no good more than that man shall rejoice in his works; for this is his portion: for who shall bring him to look upon what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 8:13
And it shall not be good to the unjust one; he shall not lengthen the days as a shadow, for he feared not from before the face of God.
James 4:14
(Which know not that of the morrow. For what your life? For it is a steam, appearing for a little, and then invisible.)
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers: as a shadow our days upon the earth, and no expectation.
Job 8:9
(For yesterday are we and we shall not know, for our days upon earth are a shadow:)
Job 14:21
His sons will be honored and he knew not: they will be brought low, and he will not understand for them.
Psalm 4:6
Many saying, Who will cause us to see good? Lift up upon us the light of thy face, O Jehovah.
Psalm 16:5
Jehovah the portion of my part and of my cup: thou didst hold up my lot.
Psalm 17:15
I in justice shall see thy face: I shall be satisfied in awaking with thine appearance.
Psalm 39:5-6
Behold, thou gavest my days a hand-breadth, and my life as nothing before thee: but every man stood all vanity. Silence.
Psalm 47:4
He will choose for us our inheritance, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Silence.
Psalm 89:47
Remember me what is life: wherefore in vain didst thou create all the sons of man?
Psalm 90:10-12
The days of our years, in them seventy years; and if in strengths, eighty years, and their pride labor and vanity; for being soon cut off and we shall fly away.
Psalm 102:11
My days declining as a shadow, and I shall be dried up as grass.
Psalm 109:23
As the shadow according to its declining I was gone: I was shaken off as the locust.
Psalm 144:4
Man was likened to vanity: his days as a shadow passing away.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I examined in my heart to draw my flesh with wine, and my heart led in wisdom; and to lay hold upon folly till that I shall see what this good to the sons of man which they will do under the heavens the number of the days of their life.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he will not know what shall be: for as it shall be who shall announce to him?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Also their love, also their hatred, also their envy perished already; and no more portion to them forever in all which was done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
We will hear the end of all the word: Fear thou God, and watch his commands: for this is all man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
Jehovah my portion, said my soul; for this I will hope toward him.
Micah 6:8
He announced to thee, O man, what was good; and what did Jehovah require of thee but to do judgment and to love mercy, and being humbled, to go with thy God?