Parallel Verses
NET Bible
It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind.
New American Standard Bible
What the eyes
King James Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Holman Bible
Better what the eyes see than wandering desire.
International Standard Version
It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.
A Conservative Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
American Standard Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Amplified
What the eyes see [enjoying what is available] is better than [craving] what the soul desires. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.
Bible in Basic English
What the eyes see is better than the wandering of desire. This is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
Darby Translation
Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Julia Smith Translation
Good the sight of the eyes above the going of the soul. Also this is vanity and striving of spirit
King James 2000
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and grasping after the wind.
Lexham Expanded Bible
{Better to be content with what your eyes see than for your soul to constantly crave more}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Modern King James verseion
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
The sight of the eyes is better, then that the soul should so depart away. Howbeit, this is also a vain thing and a disquietness of mind.
New Heart English Bible
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
The Emphasized Bible
Better what the eyes behold, than the wandering of desire, - even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Webster
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Youngs Literal Translation
Better is the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Interlinear
Towb
`ayin
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:9
Verse Info
Context Readings
One Must Learn To Be Content With What One Has
8 So what advantage does a wise man have over a fool? And what advantage does a pauper gain by knowing how to survive? 9 It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind. 10 Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.
Names
Cross References
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!
Job 31:7
If my footsteps have strayed from the way, if my heart has gone after my eyes, or if anything has defiled my hands,
Proverbs 30:15-16
The leech has two daughters: "Give! Give!" There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, "Enough" --
Ecclesiastes 1:2
"Futile! Futile!" laments the Teacher, "Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!"
Ecclesiastes 2:11
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."
Ecclesiastes 2:22-24
What does a man acquire from all his labor and from the anxiety that accompanies his toil on earth?
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live,
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 5:18
I have seen personally what is the only beneficial and appropriate course of action for people: to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all their hard work on earth during the few days of their life which God has given them, for this is their reward.
Ecclesiastes 6:2
God gives a man riches, property, and wealth so that he lacks nothing that his heart desires, yet God does not enable him to enjoy the fruit of his labor -- instead, someone else enjoys it! This is fruitless and a grave misfortune.
Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, young man, while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes, but know that God will judge your motives and actions.
Jeremiah 2:20
"Indeed, long ago you threw off my authority and refused to be subject to me. You said, 'I will not serve you.' Instead, you gave yourself to other gods on every high hill and under every green tree, like a prostitute sprawls out before her lovers.