36 Bible Verses about Vanity

Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up.

The human person is a mere empty breath; his days are like a fading shadow.

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.

However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly,

Remind others about these things, and warn them before God not to argue over words. Arguing does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening.

Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion.

I despise those who trust vain idols; but I have trusted in the LORD.

Everyone is stupid and senseless. They follow worthless instruction from a piece of wood!

Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up.

They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do.

Now, all the forming of images means nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their own witnesses cannot see, and they know nothing. So they will be put to shame. Who would shape a god or cast an image that profits nothing?

This happened because the Israelis had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up from the land of Egypt and from the domination of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, because they were fearing other gods, and because they were following the rules of the nations whom the LORD had expelled before the Israelis and that the kings of Israel had practiced. The Israelis practiced secret things that were not right, offending the LORD their God. In addition, they built high places for use by all their towns, watchtowers, and fortified cities. read more.
They set up pillars and Asherim on every high hill and in the shade of every green tree, where they made offerings on all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD had expelled before them. They also practiced other wickedness, provoking the LORD to become angry, and they served idols, a practice that the LORD had warned them, "You are not to do this." Nevertheless, the LORD had warned both Israel and Judah by means of every prophet and seer: "Turn away from your evil practices and keep my commandments and statutes according to the entire Law that I gave your ancestors and that I sent to you through my servants, the prophets." But they would not listen. Instead, they were stubborn, just like their ancestors had been, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected the LORD's statutes, the covenant that he had made with their ancestors, and his warnings that he gave them. They pursued meaninglessness and became meaningless themselves as they followed the lifestyles of the nations that surrounded them, a practice that the LORD had warned them not to do. They abandoned all of the commands given by the LORD their God, crafted for themselves cast images of two calves, constructed an Asherah, worshipped all of the stars in heaven, and served Baal. They passed their sons and daughters through fire, practiced divination, cast spells, and sold themselves to practice what the LORD considered to be evil, thereby provoking him. As a result, the LORD was angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. No one was left except for the tribe of Judah. But Judah, too, did not keep the commands of the LORD their God. Instead, they lived the lifestyle that Israel had chosen, so the LORD rejected all of the descendants of Israel, afflicted them, and handed them over to the control of plunderers until he had thrown them away from his presence. He ripped them away from the heritage of David, even as the people appointed Nebat's son Jeroboam to be king. Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the LORD and made them commit great sin. The Israelis practiced all the sins that Jeroboam had practiced, and never wavered from them until the LORD removed Israel from his presence, just as he had warned through all of his prophets who served him. So Israel was carried off into exile from their own land into Assyria, where they remain to this day.

Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.

"Therefore, this is what the LORD says: "Ask the nations. Who has ever heard of anything like this? You have done a most horrible thing, virgin Israel. Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Or does the cold water from a foreign land ever cease to flow? Yet my people have forgotten me, and they burn incense to worthless idols that make them stumble in their journey on the ancient paths. They walk on trails, on a way that is not built up. read more.
They make their land into a desolate place, an object of lasting scorn. All who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads. "Like the east wind, I'll scatter them before the enemy. I'll show them my back and not my face, on the day of their downfall.'"

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the pointless discussions and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.

But avoid foolish controversies, arguments about genealogies, quarrels, and fights about the Law. These things are useless and worthless.

However, avoid pointless discussions. For people will become more and more ungodly,

Remind others about these things, and warn them before God not to argue over words. Arguing does not do any good but only destroys those who are listening.

Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the Law, yet they do not understand either what they are talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently.

After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

Consider someone who is alone, having neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his work, and he is never satisfied with wealth. "So for whom do I work," he asks, "and deprive myself of pleasure?" This, too, is pointless and a terrible tragedy.

Their mouth is full of curses, lies, and oppression, their tongues spread trouble and iniquity.

Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives.

The one who comes to visit me speaks lies; in his heart he thinks slanderous things about me and goes around spreading them.

You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David, "Why do the unbelievers rage, and the people devise useless plots?

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Why are the nations in an uproar, and their people involved in a vain plot?

Therefore, I tell you and insist on in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of their ignorance and hardness of heart. Since they have lost all sense of shame, they have abandoned themselves to sensuality and practice every kind of sexual perversion without restraint.

For God's wrath is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of those who in their wickedness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible attributes his eternal power and divine nature have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse. read more.
For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Though claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images that looked like mortal human beings, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.

Help us in our distress, for human help is worthless.

Our eyes failed, searching in vain for hope; we kept watching and looking for a nation that would not help.

They have sown wheat, but they have harvested thorns. They have tired themselves out, but they don't show a profit. Now be disappointed about your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed.

Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things, and revive me by your ways.

Keep deception and lies far away from me, and give me neither poverty nor wealth. Feed me with food that I need for today,

Physical exercise is of limited value, but Godliness is very dear, a pledge of life, both there and here.

Stop being carried away by all kinds of unusual teachings, for it is good that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by food laws that have never helped those who follow them.

I hate the thought of living forever! Leave me alone, because my days are pointless."

In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.

Therefore, I tell you and insist on in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts.

"Can you search through God's complex things? Can you uncover the limits of the Almighty? These things are higher than the heavens, so what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol, so what can you know? They are longer than the earth's circumference, and broader than the ocean. read more.
"If he bypasses, or imprisons, or convenes a court, who can stop him? For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it? An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!"

Do you want proof, you foolish person, that faith without actions is worthless? Our ancestor Abraham was justified by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar, wasn't he? You see that his faith worked together with what he did, and by his actions his faith was made complete.

When you cry out, let your collection deliver you! The wind will carry them all off, and a mere breath will sweep them all away." "But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.

So he made their days end in futility, and their years with sudden terror.

You said by the Holy Spirit through the voice of our ancestor, your servant David, "Why do the unbelievers rage, and the people devise useless plots?

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their senseless hearts were darkened.

Why are the nations in an uproar, and their people involved in a vain plot?

"When you are praying, don't say meaningless things like the unbelievers do, because they think they will be heard by being so wordy.

Stop bringing useless offerings! Incense is detestable to me, as are your New Moons, Sabbaths, and calling of convocations. I cannot stand iniquity within a solemn assembly.

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?'

You said, "It is futile to serve God,' and, "What did we get out of it when we carried out his requirements and went about like mourners in the presence of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies?'

Human beings are a mere vapor, while people in high positions are not what they appear. When they are placed on the scales, they weigh nothing; even when weighed together, they are less than nothing.

You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

When Moses had finished addressing all of these words to all Israel, he told them, "Take to heart my entire testimony against you today. Command your children to observe carefully every word of this Law, because they're not just empty words for you they are your very life. Through these instructions you will live long in the land that you are about to cross over the Jordan River to possess."

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

For sometimes people who strive to obtain wisdom, knowledge, and equity leave everything as an inheritance to a person who never worked for it. This, too, is pointless and greatly troublesome.

Then I told myself, "Whatever happens to the fool will happen also to me. Therefore what's the point in being so wise?" And I told myself that this also is pointless.

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Where's the profit in talking to him?'

You said, "It is futile to serve God,' and, "What did we get out of it when we carried out his requirements and went about like mourners in the presence of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies?'

Their mouth is full of curses, lies, and oppression, their tongues spread trouble and iniquity.

Everyone speaks lies to his neighbor; they speak with flattering lips and hidden motives.

The one who comes to visit me speaks lies; in his heart he thinks slanderous things about me and goes around spreading them.

When you cry out, let your collection deliver you! The wind will carry them all off, and a mere breath will sweep them all away." "But whoever takes refuge in me will possess the land, and will inherit my holy mountain.

So he made their days end in futility, and their years with sudden terror.

They have sown wheat, but they have harvested thorns. They have tired themselves out, but they don't show a profit. Now be disappointed about your harvest because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed.

You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things, and revive me by your ways.

Keep deception and lies far away from me, and give me neither poverty nor wealth. Feed me with food that I need for today,

Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.

Banish sorrow from your heart, and evil from your body, since both childhood and the prime of life are pointless.

In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.

Therefore, I tell you and insist on in the Lord not to live any longer like the gentiles live, thinking worthless thoughts.

I decided to indulge in wine, while still remaining committed to wisdom. I also tried to indulge in foolishness, just enough to determine whether it was good for human beings under heaven given the short time of their lives.

Whenever I wanted something I had seen, I never refused that desire. Instead, I enjoyed everything I did, and this became the reward in what I had undertaken. Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth.

I told myself, "I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself." But this was pointless.

"Utterly pointless," says the Teacher. "Absolutely pointless; everything is pointless."

a man to whom God gives wealth, riches, and honor, so that he lacks none of his heart's desires but God does not give him the capability to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger consumes them. This is pointless and a grievous affliction.

LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in a time of difficulty, to you the nations will come, and from the ends of the earth they'll say, "Surely our ancestors inherited deception, things that are worthless, and in which there is no profit."

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us. For the creation is eagerly awaiting the revelation of God's children, because the creation has become subject to futility, though not by anything it did. The one who subjected it did so in the certainty read more.
that the creation itself would also be set free from corrupting bondage in order to share the glorious freedom of God's children.

In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them.

It is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor truly he gives sleep to those he loves.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.

Whoever works his farmland will have abundant food, but whoever chases fantasies will become very poor.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.

Whoever tills his soil will have a lot to eat, but anyone who pursues fantasies lacks sense.

Look, I'm against those who prophesy based on false dreams," declares the LORD, "and relate them and lead my people astray with their lies and their recklessness. I didn't send them; I didn't command them, and they provide no benefit at all to these people," declares the LORD.

I despise the double-minded, but I love your instruction.

Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed.

Nothing good comes from ill-gotten wealth, but righteousness delivers from death.

By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error.

This is what the LORD says: "What did your ancestors find wrong with me that they left me, and pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless?

Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth.

Then I examined all sorts of work, including all kinds of excellent achievements that create envy in others. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind.

For you know that it was not with perishable things like silver or gold that you have been ransomed from the worthless way of life handed down to you by your ancestors,

because the creation has become subject to futility, though not by anything it did. The one who subjected it did so in the certainty

The human person is a mere empty breath; his days are like a fading shadow.

You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

He devises iniquity on his bed and is determined to follow a path that is not good. He does not resist evil.

I do not sit with those committed to what is false, nor do I travel with hypocrites.

The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully.

I despise the double-minded, but I love your instruction.

Look, you have made my life span fit in your hand; It is nothing compared to yours. Surely every person at their best is a puff of wind. Interlude

If anyone thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but instead deceives himself, his religion is worthless.

What good does it do, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions? This kind of faith cannot save him, can it?

LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in a time of difficulty, to you the nations will come, and from the ends of the earth they'll say, "Surely our ancestors inherited deception, things that are worthless, and in which there is no profit."

An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!"

For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it?

An empty-headed person will gain understanding when a wild donkey is born a human being!"

For he knows mankind's deceitfulness; when he sees iniquity, won't he himself consider it?

You people, how long will you malign my reputation? How long will you love what is vain and what is false? Interlude

Theirs is a useless plea God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention.

"I will denounce your righteousness and your works, for your collections of idols will not benefit you.

With respect to my extravagant works, I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. I constructed gardens and orchards for myself, and within them I planted all kinds of fruit trees. I built for myself water reservoirs to irrigate forests that produce trees. read more.
I acquired male and female slaves, and had other slaves born in my house. I also acquired for myself increasing numbers of herds and flocks more than anyone who had lived before me in Jerusalem. I also accumulated silver, gold, and the wealth of kings and their kingdoms. I gathered around me both male and female singers, along with what delights a man all sorts of mistresses. So I became great, greater than anyone who had lived before me in Jerusalem. Throughout all of this, I remained wise. Whenever I wanted something I had seen, I never refused that desire. Instead, I enjoyed everything I did, and this became the reward in what I had undertaken. Then I examined all of my accomplishments that I had brought about by my own efforts, including the work that I had labored so hard to complete and it was all pointless, like chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained on earth.

Let him not trust in a worthless speech. He leads only himself astray, for emptiness will be his reward.

By talking high-sounding nonsense and using sinful cravings of the flesh, they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error.

Even if I give away everything that I have and sacrifice myself, but have no love, I gain nothing.

The LORD knows the thoughts of human beings that they are futile.

The human person is a mere empty breath; his days are like a fading shadow.

You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

This is what the LORD says: "What did your ancestors find wrong with me that they left me, and pursued worthless things, and so they became worthless?

He devises iniquity on his bed and is determined to follow a path that is not good. He does not resist evil.

A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

Human beings are a mere vapor, while people in high positions are not what they appear. When they are placed on the scales, they weigh nothing; even when weighed together, they are less than nothing.

Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless.

"Look, you're trusting in deceptive words that cannot benefit.

"You have been shown this in order to know that "the LORD is God' and there is no one like him.

I do not sit with those committed to what is false, nor do I travel with hypocrites.

The one who has innocent hands and a pure heart; the person who does not delight in what is false and does not swear an oath deceitfully.

You people, how long will you malign my reputation? How long will you love what is vain and what is false? Interlude

I told myself, "I will test you with pleasure, so enjoy yourself." But this was pointless.