36 Bible Verses about Vanity

Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways from the old paths, to walk in by-paths, not in the highway,

Man is like vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes away.

O Timothy, guard the Deposit, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named science,

But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Put them in memory of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers.

from which some, having swerved, have turned aside to foolish talking,

I have hated those who take heed to lying vanities; but I trust in Jehovah.

But they are all at once foolish and animal-like; the tree is an example of vanities.

Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways from the old paths, to walk in by-paths, not in the highway,

And they rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them. And they went after the vain thing, and became vain, and after the nations around them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them not to do like them.

Those who make a graven image are all of them vanity; and the things in which they delight shall not help; and they are their own witnesses. They do not see nor know, that they may be ashamed. Who has formed a god, or melted a graven image that is good for nothing?

And it happened because the sons of Israel had sinned against Jehovah 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 statutes of the nations whom Jehovah cast out from before the sons of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which the nations had made. And the sons of Israel secretly did things that were not right against Jehovah their God. And they built high places in all their cities for themselves, from the Watch Tower to the fortified city. read more.
And they set up images and Asherahs for themselves in every high hill, and under every green tree. And they burned incense in all the high places, like the nations whom Jehovah had removed from before them; and did evil things to provoke Jehovah to anger. For they served the idols, of which Jehovah had said to them, You shall not do this thing. And Jehovah testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, by all the seers, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments, My statutes, according to all the Law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets. But they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like the neck of their fathers who did not believe in Jehovah their God. And they rejected His statutes and His covenant which He made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He testified against them. And they went after the vain thing, and became vain, and after the nations around them, concerning whom Jehovah had charged them not to do like them. And they left all the commandments of Jehovah their God, and made molten images, two calves, for themselves. And they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire. And they used divination and incantations, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke Him to anger. So Jehovah was very angry with Israel, and turned them away from His face; not one was left, only the tribe of Judah by itself. Also Judah did not keep the commandments of Jehovah their God, but walked in the statutes which Israel made. And Jehovah 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 away from following Jehovah, and made them sin a great sin. For the sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did. They did not depart from them until Jehovah turned away Israel from His face, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria until this day.

Let not he being deceived trust in vanity; for vanity shall be his reward.

Therefore so says Jehovah, Ask now among the nations; who has heard the like of this? The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. Does the snow of Lebanon forsake the rock of the field? Or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken? Because My people have forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways from the old paths, to walk in by-paths, not in the highway, read more.
to make their land desolate and a hissing forever. Everyone who passes by will be amazed, and will wag 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, guard the Deposit, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of falsely-named science,

But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain.

But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.

Put them in memory of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers.

from which some, having swerved, have turned aside to foolish talking, desiring to be teachers of the law, neither understanding what they say nor that which they affirm.

For God gives wisdom, and knowledge, and joy to a man who is good in His sight. But to the sinner He gives labor, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he has neither son nor brother; yet there is no end to all his labor; and his eyes are not satisfied with riches; and he says, For whom do I labor and take good from my soul? This is also vanity. Yes, it is an evil business.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his tongue are mischief and vanity.

They speak vanity each one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

And when he comes to see me, he speaks vanity; his heart gathers iniquity to itself; he goes out and speaks of it.

who by the mouth of Your servant David has said, "Why did the nations rage and the people imagine vain things?

Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate on a vain thing?

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart. For they, being past feeling, have given themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them. For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse. read more.
Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things.

Give us help against our foe; for vain is the help of man.

While we are, our eyes fail, for our help is vain; in our watching we have watched for a nation; it does not save.

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns. They are worn out, but they do not profit. And they shall be ashamed of your harvests because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his anger shall fail.

Turn away my eyes from seeing vanity; in Your way give me life.

remove far from me vanity and a lying word; give me neither poverty or riches; tear for me my portion of bread,

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is to come.

Do not be carried about with different and strange doctrines, for it is good for the heart to be established with grace, not with foods, in which those who have walked in them were not helped.

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 despise them; I will not live always; let me alone, for my days are vanity.

Surely a man walks about like a shadow! Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Can you by searching find out God? Can you perfectly find out the Almighty? Heights of the heavens! What can you do? It is deeper than hell, what can you know? The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. read more.
If He passes through and shuts up, or gathers together, then who can turn Him back? For He knows vain men; and when He sees wickedness, will He not search it? For foolish man would be wise, and man is born a wild ass's colt.

But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith worked with his works, and from the works faith was made complete?

When you cry, let your gathering deliver you; but the wind shall carry them all away. Vanity shall take them; but he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.

Therefore He ended their days in vanity and their years in trouble.

who by the mouth of Your servant David has said, "Why did the nations rage and the people imagine vain things?

Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate on a vain thing?

But when you pray, do not babble vain words, as the nations. For they think that in their much speaking they shall be heard.

Bring no more vain sacrifice; incense is an abomination to Me; the new moon and sabbath, the going to meeting; I cannot endure evil and the assembly!

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

You have said, It is vain to serve God; and, What profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked as mourners before Jehovah of Hosts?

Surely the sons of men are vanity; the sons of men are a lie; they go up in the scales; they are altogether lighter than vanity.

You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and you make his desires vanish away 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 hearts to all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your sons to observe and to do, all the words of this Law. For it is not a vain thing for you, because it is your life. And by this Word you shall prolong your days in the land where you go over Jordan, there to possess it.

And again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain."

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

Then I said in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so it happens even to me; and why was I then more wise? And I said 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?

You have said, It is vain to serve God; and, What profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked as mourners before Jehovah of Hosts?

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud; under his tongue are mischief and vanity.

They speak vanity each one with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

And when he comes to see me, he speaks vanity; his heart gathers iniquity to itself; he goes out and speaks of it.

When you cry, let your gathering deliver you; but the wind shall carry them all away. Vanity shall take them; but he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain.

Therefore He ended their days in vanity and their years in trouble.

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns. They are worn out, but they do not profit. And they shall be ashamed of your harvests because of the fierce anger of Jehovah.

He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his anger shall fail.

You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and you make his desires vanish away like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.

Turn away my eyes from seeing vanity; in Your way give me life.

remove far from me vanity and a lying word; give me neither poverty or riches; tear for me my portion of bread,

And though I give out all my goods to feed the poor, and though I deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, I am profited nothing.

Therefore remove vexation from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for childhood and prime of life are vanity.

Surely a man walks about like a shadow! Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather them.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should not walk from now on as other nations walk, in the vanity of their mind,

I sought in my heart to drag my flesh with wine, yet leading my heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, until I might see where the good for the sons of men might be, what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my part of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore consider and behold goodness; this also is vanity.

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

a man to whom God has given 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 a stranger eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

O Jehovah, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the nations shall come to You from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and there is no profit in them.

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him who subjected it on hope read more.
that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Surely a man walks about like a shadow! Surely they are in an uproar in vain. He heaps up, and does not know who shall gather them.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be taken away, but he who gathers by hand shall increase.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he pursuing vanities shall have poverty enough.

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be taken away, but he who gathers by hand shall increase.

He who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread; but he who follows vanities lacks heart.

Jehovah says, Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams and tell them, and cause My people to go astray by their lies and by their lightness. Yet I did not send them nor command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says Jehovah.

SAMECH: I hate half-hearted thoughts; but Your Law do I love.

He who sows iniquity shall reap vanity; and the rod of his anger shall fail.

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

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they lure through the lusts of the flesh, by unbridled lust, the ones who were escaping from those who live in error;

So says Jehovah, What injustice 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 done, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun.

Again, I considered all labor, and every right work, that for this a man is envied by his neighbor. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,

For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but because of Him who subjected it on hope

Man is like vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes away.

You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and you make his desires vanish away like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

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

I have not sat with lying men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

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

SAMECH: I hate half-hearted thoughts; but Your Law do I love.

Behold, You have made my days as a handbreadth, and my age is as nothing before You. Surely every man standing is altogether vanity. Selah.

If anyone thinks to be religious among you, yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is vain.

My brothers, what profit is it if a man says he has faith and does not have works? Can faith save him?

O Jehovah, my strength and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the nations shall come to You from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and there is no profit in them.

For foolish man would be wise, and man is born a wild ass's colt.

For He knows vain men; and when He sees wickedness, will He not search it?

For foolish man would be wise, and man is born a wild ass's colt.

For He knows vain men; and when He sees wickedness, will He not search it?

O sons of men, how long will you turn My glory into shame? Will you love vanity and seek after a lie? Selah.

Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty look on it.

I will declare your righteousness, and your works; for they shall not do you any good.

I made my works great; I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and orchards for myself, And I planted trees in them, of all fruit. I made pools of water for myself, to water the forest shooting forth trees. read more.
I bought slaves and slave women, and sons of the house were mine; also livestock, a herd and a great flock were mine, above all that were before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered silver and gold to myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got men singers and women singers for myself, and the delights of the sons of men, a wife and very many wives. I was great and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem; also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them; I did not withhold my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor, and this was my part of all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit; and there is no profit under the sun.

Let not he being deceived trust in vanity; for vanity shall be his reward.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they lure through the lusts of the flesh, by unbridled lust, the ones who were escaping from those who live in error;

And though I give out all my goods to feed the poor, and though I deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, I am profited nothing.

Jehovah knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain.

Man is like vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes away.

You correct a man for iniquity with rebukes, and you make his desires vanish away like a moth. Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

So says Jehovah, What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?

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

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

Surely the sons of men are vanity; the sons of men are a lie; they go up in the scales; they are altogether lighter than vanity.

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, and he who loves abundance not with gain. This is also vanity.

Behold, you trust in lying words that cannot do any good.

It was shown to you so that you might know that Jehovah is God, and no one else beside Him.

I have not sat with lying men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

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

O sons of men, how long will you turn My glory into shame? Will you love vanity and seek after a lie? Selah.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore consider and behold goodness; this also is vanity.