36 Bible Verses about Vanity

But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway,

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Remind them of these things, and charge them before Godnot to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,

I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.

They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!

But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway,

They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in do not profit. Their witnesses neither see nor know, that they may be put to shame. Who fashions a god or casts an idol that is profitable for nothing?

And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had 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 customs of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel, and in the customs that the kings of Israel had practiced. And the people of Israel did secretly against the LORD their God things that were not right. They built for themselves high places in all their towns, from watchtower to fortified city. read more.
They set up for themselves pillars and Asherim on every high hill and under every green tree, and there they made offerings on all the high places, as the nations did whom the LORD carried away before them. And they did wicked things, provoking the LORD to anger, and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, "You shall not do this." Yet the LORDwarned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets." But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They despised his statutes and his covenant that he made with their fathers and the warnings that he gave them. They went after false idols and became false, and they followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal. And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and removed them out of his sight. None was left but the tribe of Judah only. Judah also did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the customs that Israel had introduced. And the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and gave them into the hand of plunderers, until he had cast them out of his sight. When he had torn Israel from the house of David, they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. And Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORDand made them commit great sin. The people of Israel walked in all the sins that Jeroboam did. They did not depart from them, until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had spoken by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their own land to Assyria until this day.

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment.

"Therefore thus says the LORD: Ask among the nations, Who has heard the like of this? The virgin Israel has done a very horrible thing. Does the snow of Lebanon leave the crags of Sirion? Do the mountain waters run dry, the cold flowing streams? But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway, read more.
making their land a horror, a thing to be hissed at forever. Everyone who passes by it is horrified and shakes his head. Like the east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. I will show them my back, not my face, in the day of their calamity."

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge,"

But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,

Remind them of these things, and charge them before Godnot to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. read more.
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!

Our eyes failed, ever watching vainly for help; in our watching we watched for a nation which could not save.

They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD."

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

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

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are a breath.

Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. read more.
If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.

So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.

who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations-- I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.

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

You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts?

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them, "Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess."

and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile."

because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Then I said in my heart, "What happens to the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?" And I said in my heart that this also is vanity.

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

You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts?

His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

And when one comes to see me, he utters empty words, while his heart gathers iniquity; when he goes out, he tells it abroad.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off, a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain.

So he made their days vanish like a breath, and their years in terror.

They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns; they have tired themselves out but profit nothing. They shall be ashamed of their harvests because of the fierce anger of the LORD."

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

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

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine--my heart still guiding me with wisdom--and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

a man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous evil.

O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope read more.
that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.

Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.

I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?

Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,

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

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.

But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!

For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

Surely God does not hear an empty cry, nor does the Almighty regard it.

I will declare your righteousness and your deeds, but they will not profit you.

I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. read more.
I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the children of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself, for emptiness will be his payment.

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

the LORD--knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.

When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

Thus says the LORD: "What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?

He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

"Behold, you trust in deceptive words to no avail.

To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.

I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself." But behold, this also was vanity.