Parallel Verses
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.
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 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
What does the wise have more than the fool? What does the poor have knowing how to walk before man?
9 What the eyes
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun. Behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Job 31:7
If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled,
Proverbs 30:15-16
The leach has two daughters. Each cry: Give, Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes; even four things never say: It is enough!
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-24
What does a man get for all his work, and for the desire of his heart with which he has done his work under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to rejoice and to do good works in life.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
I have learned why people work so hard to succeed. It is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is vanity! It is like chasing the wind.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
This is what I have seen. It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labor. He labors under the sun all the days of his life. For God gives this to him as his allotment (inheritance).
Ecclesiastes 6:2
God has given man riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires. Yet God has not empowered him to partake of them for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction.
Ecclesiastes 11:9
Rejoice, O young man, in your youth. Let your heart cheer you in your early days. Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the desires of your eyes. Yet you know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things.
Jeremiah 2:20
Long ago you broke off your yoke, tore off your bonds, and said that you would not be a slave. You lay down and acted like a prostitute on every high hill and under every large tree.