Parallel Verses
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?
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?
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?
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?
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 {Increasing words only multiplies futility}, how does that profit anyone? 12 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?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
Like a flower he comes up, and he withers away; and he flees like a shadow, but he does not last.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
So I concluded that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy [the fruit of] his labor, for this is his lot in life. {For no one knows what will happen in the future.}
Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it will not go well with the wicked, and they will not prolong [their] days, like the shadow; because there is no fearing {God's presence}.
James 4:14
you who do not know {what will happen tomorrow}, {what your life will be like}. For you are a smoky vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears.
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we [are] strangers before you and sojourners like all our ancestors. Our days [are] like the shadow upon earth, and there is no hope [of abiding].
Job 8:9
for we [are of] yesterday, and we do not know, for our days on earth [are] a shadow.
Job 14:21
His children may [come to] honor, but he does not know [it]; or they may become lowly, but he does not realize it.
Psalm 4:6
Many are saying, "Who will show us [something] good?" Lift up over us the light of your face, O Yahweh.
Psalm 16:5
Yahweh [is] the portion [which is] my share and my cup. You hold my lot.
Psalm 17:15
[By contrast,] I in righteousness shall see your face. Upon awakening I will be satisfied [seeing] your form.
Psalm 39:5-6
Look, you have made my days [mere] handbreadths, and my lifespan as nothing next to you. Surely every person standing firm [is] complete vanity. Selah
Psalm 47:4
He chooses for us our inheritance, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
Psalm 89:47
Remember what my lifespan [is]. [Remember] for what vanity you have created all [the] children of humankind.
Psalm 90:10-12
As for the days of our years, within them [are] seventy years or if by strength eighty years, and their pride [is] trouble and disaster, for it passes quickly and we fly [away].
Psalm 102:11
My days [are] like a lengthened shadow, and I wither like grass.
Psalm 109:23
Like a lengthening shadow I am passing away; I am shaken off like a locust.
Psalm 144:4
Humankind is like a breath, his days like a passing shadow.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I also {explored} {the effects of indulging my flesh} with wine. My mind guiding me with wisdom, {I investigated} folly so that I might discover what [is] good under heaven for {humans} to do {during the days of their lives}.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
Surely no one knows what will be, so who can tell anyone what will happen?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
What they loved and hated, as well as what they desired, has already perished. They no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Now that all has been heard, here is the final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commandments, for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
"Yahweh is my portion," says my soul, "Thus I will hope on him."
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O mortal, what [is] good, and what does Yahweh ask from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?