Parallel Verses

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?

New American Standard Bible

For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

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? Who can tell man what will happen after him under the sun?

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 [limited by human wisdom] knows what is good for man during his lifetime, during the few days of his futile life? He spends them like a shadow [staying busy, but achieving nothing of lasting value]. For who can tell a man what will happen after him [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun [after his life is over]?

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?

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?

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?

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
אדם 
'adam 
Usage: 541

in this life
חי 
Chay 
Usage: 502

all
מספּר 
Micpar 
Usage: 132

the days
יום 
Yowm 
Usage: 2293

of his vain
הבל הבל 
hebel 
Usage: 73

חי 
Chay 
Usage: 502

as a shadow
צל 
Tsel 
Usage: 49

נגד 
Nagad 
Usage: 370

a man
אדם 
'adam 
Usage: 541

אחר 
'achar 
Usage: 488

References

Hastings

Context Readings

The Future Is Inscrutable To Humans

11 For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? 12 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?

Cross References

Job 14:2

He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down. He also flees like a shadow, and doesn't continue.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow; because he doesn't fear God.

James 4:14

Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are strangers before you, and foreigners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no remaining.

Job 8:9

(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.)

Job 14:21

His sons come to honor, and he doesn't know it. They are brought low, but he doesn't perceive it of them.

Psalm 4:6

Many say, "Who will show us any good?" Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.

Psalm 16:5

Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form. For the Chief Musician. By David the servant of Yahweh, who spoke to Yahweh the words of this song in the day that Yahweh delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said,

Psalm 39:5-6

Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.

Psalm 47:4

He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

Psalm 89:47

Remember how short my time is! For what vanity have you created all the children of men!

Psalm 90:10-12

The days of our years are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty years; yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for it passes quickly, and we fly away.

Psalm 102:11

My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.

Psalm 109:23

I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust.

Psalm 144:4

Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

For he doesn't know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?

Ecclesiastes 9:6

Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.

Lamentations 3:24-27

Yahweh is my portion, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

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