33 Bible Verses about Vanity

For my people have forgotten me. They have burned incense to FALSE [gods]. And they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up,

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

O Timothy, keep the entrustment, avoiding the profane babblings and objections of the falsely-called knowledge,

But shun profane babblings, for they will advance to greater impiety,

Remind them of these things, solemnly testifying in the sight of the Lord, not to brawl verbally, to nothing useful, to the ruin of those who hear.

From which some having swerved have turned aside to empty talk,

I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in LORD.

But they are together brutish and foolish, the instruction of idols! It is but a block of wood.

For my people have forgotten me. They have burned incense to FALSE [gods]. And they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up,

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them. And they followed vanity, and became vain, and [went] after the nations that were round about them, c

Those who fashion a graven image are all of them vanity. And the things that they delight in shall not profit. And their own witnesses see not, nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who has fashioned a god, or molded an image that is profitable for nothing?

And it was so, because the sons of Israel had sinned against LORD their God who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom LORD cast out from before the sons of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. And the sons of Israel did things secretly that were not right against LORD their God. And they built for them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city. read more.
And they set up for them pillars and Asherim upon every high hill, and under every green tree, and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as the nations did whom LORD carried away before them. And they wrought wicked things to provoke LORD to anger. And they served idols, of which LORD had said to them, Ye shall not do this thing. Yet LORD testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent Notwithstanding, they would not hear, but stiffened their neck, like the neck of their fathers who did not believed in LORD their God. And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them. And they followed vanity, and became vain, and [went] after the nations that were round about them, c And they forsook all the commandments of LORD their God, and made for them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of LORD to provoke him to anger. Therefore LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight. There was none left but only the tribe of Judah. Also Judah did not keep the commandments of LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. And LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. For he tore Israel from the house of David. And they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following LORD, and made them sin a great sin. And the sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did. They did not depart from them until LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself. For vanity shall be his recompense.

Therefore thus says LORD: Ask ye now among the nations, Who has heard such things? The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? [Or] shall the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up? For my people have forgotten me. They have burned incense to FALSE [gods]. And they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, in a way not cast up, read more.
to make their land an astonishment, and a perpetual hissing, everyone who passes by it shall be astonished, and shake his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy. I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

O Timothy, keep the entrustment, avoiding the profane babblings and objections of the falsely-called knowledge,

But avoid foolish questionings, and genealogies, and contentions, and legal fightings, for they are useless and vain.

But shun profane babblings, for they will advance to greater impiety,

Remind them of these things, solemnly testifying in the sight of the Lord, not to brawl verbally, to nothing useful, to the ruin of those who hear.

From which some having swerved have turned aside to empty talk, desiring to be law teachers, understanding neither what they say, nor about what they confidently assert.

For to the man who pleases him [God] gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor. With flattering lip, and with a double heart, they speak.

And if he comes to see [me], he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

He who said through the mouth of thy boy David, Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain things?

Because, although knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their heart was darkened without understanding.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain {things (LXX/NT)}?

This I say therefore, and solemnly declare in Lord, for you to walk no longer as also the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the callousness of their heart. Who, having become callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness for the work of all uncleanness in greed.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all irreverence and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what is knowable of God is apparent in them, for God made it known to them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both his eternal power and divinity, for them to be without excuse. read more.
Because, although knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their heart was darkened without understanding. Professing to be wise, they became foolish, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image like corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed things, and creeping things.

Give us help against the adversary, for vain is the help of man.

Our eyes do yet fail [in looking] for our vain help. In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing. And ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of LORD.

He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and enliven me in thy ways.

Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

For bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is coming.

Be not carried away by various and foreign doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established with grace, not with foods by which those who walked were not benefited.

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?

I loathe [my life]. I would not live always. Let me alone, for my days are vanity.

Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are disquieted in vain. He heaps up, and knows not who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and solemnly declare in Lord, for you to walk no longer as also the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Can thou find out God by searching? Can thou find out the Almighty to perfection? It is high as heaven; what can thou do? Deeper than Sheol; what can thou know? The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. read more.
If he passes through, and shuts up, and all to judgment, then who can hinder him? For he knows FALSE men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it? But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born [as] a wild donkey's colt.

But do thou want to know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not Abraham our father made righteous from works, having offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou see that faith was working with his works, and from the works, faith was fully perfected.

When thou cry, let those whom thou have gathered deliver thee. But the wind shall take them; a breath shall carry them all away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror.

He who said through the mouth of thy boy David, Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain things?

Because, although knowing God, they did not glorify him as God, nor were they thankful, but became vain in their reasonings and their heart was darkened without understanding.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate vain {things (LXX/NT)}?

And while praying do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do, for they think that they will be heard by their much speaking.

Bring no more vain oblations. Incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies--I cannot bear iniquity and the solemn meeting.

What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before LORD of hosts?

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than vanity.

When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel. And he said to them, Set your heart to all the words which I testify to you this day, which ye shall command your sons to observe to do, [even] all the words of this law. For it is no vain thing for you, because it is your life, and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land where ye go over the Jordan to possess it.

and again, Lord knows the thoughts of the wise that they are vain.

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, and with knowledge, and with skillfulness, yet he shall leave it to a man who has not labored in it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Then said I in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it will happen even to me, and why then was I more wise? Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity.

What is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray to him?

Ye have said, It is vain to serve God, and what profit is it that we have kept his charge, and that we have walked mournfully before LORD of hosts?

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

They speak falsehood everyone with his neighbor. With flattering lip, and with a double heart, they speak.

And if he comes to see [me], he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

When thou cry, let those whom thou have gathered deliver thee. But the wind shall take them; a breath shall carry them all away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror.

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns. They have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing. And ye shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of LORD.

He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, [but] a woman who fears LORD, she shall be praised.

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and enliven me in thy ways.

Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

And if I dole out all things possessed by me, and if I deliver my body so that I may be burned, and have not love, I benefit nothing.

Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are disquieted in vain. He heaps up, and knows not who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and solemnly declare in Lord, for you to walk no longer as also the other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine (my heart yet guiding [me] with wisdom), and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of th

And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy. For my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure. And, behold, this also was vanity.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.

A man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

O LORD, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to thee the nations shall come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, [even] vanity and things in whic

For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not comparable to the glory that is going to be revealed for us. For the eager expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope. read more.
Because the creation itself will also be freed from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

Surely every man walks in a shadow. Surely they are disquieted in vain. He heaps up, and knows not who shall gather them.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil, [for] so he gives sleep to his beloved.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he who gathers by labor shall have increase.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who follows after vanity shall have poverty enough.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished, but he who gathers by labor shall have increase.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who pursues vanities is void of understanding.

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says LORD, and tell them. And cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting. Yet I sent them not, nor commanded them, neither do they profit this people at al

I hate those who are of a double mind, but I love thy law.

He who sows iniquity shall reap calamity, and the rod of his wrath shall fail.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

For, uttering swollen things of vanity, they entice (to sensuality by lusts of flesh) those who actually escaped from those who live in error,

Thus says LORD: What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Knowing that ye were redeemed from your vain behavior inherited from fathers, not with perishable silver or gold,

For the creation was made subject to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it in hope.

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

When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

He devises iniquity upon his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He does not abhor evil.

I have not sat with men of falsehood, nor will I go in with dissemblers.

He who has clean hands, and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

I hate those who are of a double mind, but I love thy law.

Behold, thou have made my days [as] handbreadths, and my life-time is as nothing before thee. Surely every man at his best condition is altogether vanity. Selah.

If any man among you seems to be religious, not bridling his tongue but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is futile.

What is the benefit, my brothers, if some man should say to have faith, but has no works? Can the faith save him?

O LORD, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to thee the nations shall come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, [even] vanity and things in whic

But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born [as] a wild donkey's colt.

For he knows FALSE men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?

But vain man is void of understanding. Yea, man is born [as] a wild donkey's colt.

For he knows FALSE men. He also sees iniquity. Will he not then consider it?

O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

Surely God will not hear an empty [cry], nor will the Almighty regard it.

I will declare thy righteousness. And as for thy works, they shall not profit thee.

I made for me great works. I built for me houses. I planted for me vineyards. I made for me gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. I made for me pools of water, to water from there the forest where trees were reared. read more.
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for me silver and gold, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got for me men-singers and women-singers, and the luxuries of the sons of men, [and] a wife and wives. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I kept not from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy. For my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Let him not trust in vanity, deceiving himself. For vanity shall be his recompense.

For, uttering swollen things of vanity, they entice (to sensuality by lusts of flesh) those who actually escaped from those who live in error,

And if I dole out all things possessed by me, and if I deliver my body so that I may be burned, and have not love, I benefit nothing.

LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.

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

When thou have corrected man with rebukes for iniquity, thou make his beauty to disintegrate like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Thus says LORD: What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

He devises iniquity upon his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He does not abhor evil.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.

Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than vanity.

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

It was shown to thee, that thou might know that LORD he is God. There is none else besides him.

I have not sat with men of falsehood, nor will I go in with dissemblers.

He who has clean hands, and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure. And, behold, this also was vanity.