36 Bible Verses about Vanity

My people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways. They stray from the ancient paths to walk in pathways and not on a highway.

Man is like a mere breath. His days are like a passing shadow.

O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you. Turn away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from opposition and from false knowledge.

But avoid worldly and empty discussion, for it will lead to further ungodliness.

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to argue about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Some have turned aside to vain talk by deviating from these things.

I hate those who cling to false gods, but I do trust in Jehovah.

They are very stupid and foolish. They teach vanity to a tree. Their idol is wood!

My people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways. They stray from the ancient paths to walk in pathways and not on a highway.

They refused to obey his instructions. They did not keep the covenant he made with their ancestors. They disregarded his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They followed the customs of the surrounding nations, disobeying Jehovah's command not to imitate them.

All who make idols are nothing. The things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind. They are shamefully ignorant. Who shapes a god and casts a useless and good for nothing idol.

The wrath (intense anger) of Jehovah came on Israel because they had done evil against Jehovah their God, who took them out of the land of Egypt from under the yoke of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. They worshipped other gods. They lived by the rules of the nations whom Jehovah sent out from before the children of Israel. The children of Israel secretly did things that were not right according to Jehovah their God. They built high places for themselves in all their towns, from the watchtower to the walled towns. read more.
They erected pillars of stone and wood on every high hill and under every green tree. They burned their offerings in all the high places, as those nations did whom Jehovah sent away from them. They did evil things, moving Jehovah to anger. They made themselves servants of disgusting things. Even though Jehovah said: You should not do this. Jehovah sent his messengers and prophets to warn Israel and Judah: Abandon your evil ways and obey my commands. The commandments contained in the Law I gave to your ancestors. I handed them on to you through my servants the prophets. They would not obey. They were stubborn like their ancestors. They did not trust in Jehovah their God. They refused to obey his instructions. They did not keep the covenant he made with their ancestors. They disregarded his warnings. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. They followed the customs of the surrounding nations, disobeying Jehovah's command not to imitate them. They broke all the laws of Jehovah their God. They made two metal bull-calves to worship. They also made an image of the goddess Asherah. Also they worshiped the stars and served the god Baal. They caused their sons and their daughters to go through the fire to be sacrificed. They made use of secret arts and unnatural powers, and gave themselves up to doing evil in the eyes of Jehovah, till they provoked him to anger. Jehovah was very angry with Israel. He removed them from his sight. Only the tribe of Judah kept its place. But even Judah did not obey the commands of Jehovah their God. They were guided by the rules Israel made. So Jehovah would have nothing to do with all the offspring of Israel. He caused trouble for them. He gave them up into the hands of their attackers, till he had sent them away from before his face. He tore Israel from the house of David and made Jeroboam son of Nebat king. Jeroboam drove them away from the laws of Jehovah and made them do a great sin. The children of Israel walked in all the sins Jeroboam committed. They did not depart from these sins. Jehovah removed Israel from his sight as he said he would through all his servants the prophets. Israel was taken away from their land to Assyria, to this day.

Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless. He will get nothing in return.

This is what Jehovah says: 'Ask among the nations if anyone has ever heard anything like this. The people of Israel have done a very horrible thing. Does the snow of Lebanon forsake the rock of the open country? Or is the cold flowing water from a foreign land ever snatched away? My people have forgotten me. They burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways. They stray from the ancient paths to walk in pathways and not on a highway. read more.
They make their land desolation. It becomes an object of perpetual hissing. Everyone who passes by it will be astonished and shake his head. Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their calamity.'

O Timothy, guard that which is committed to you. Turn away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from opposition and from false knowledge.

You should avoid foolish arguing and dissentions, questioning; and genealogies, and arguing about law, for they are unprofitable and vain.

But avoid worldly and empty discussion, for it will lead to further ungodliness.

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to argue about words. This is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Some have turned aside to vain talk by deviating from these things. They want to be teachers of the Law even though they do not know what they are talking about. They do not understand what they say or what they confidently affirm.

To the man who is good, God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy. But to the sinner he gives the work of getting goods together and storing up wealth, to give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

There is a man who is by himself, without a companion. He is without son or brother. There is no end to all his work. He never has enough wealth. Nor is his eye satisfied with riches. He never asks: For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure? This too is vanity and a terrible problem.

His mouth is full of curses, deception, and oppression. Trouble and wrongdoing are on the tip of his tongue.

People speak lies to one another. They speak with flattering lips and with double-heart. (Double Heart: They say one thing but mean another.)

When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks falsehood. His heart collects gossip. Then he leaves to tell others.

You spoke by the mouth of your servant David: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Psalm 2:1)

for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.

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

This I say therefore, and testify (affirm) in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the vanity (futility) (depravity) of their mind (thinking). They are darkened (blinded) (obscured) in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart. They are past feeling. They have given themselves over to loose conduct, to work all uncleanness with greediness (a lust for more).

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. That which is known about God is clear to them, for God revealed it to them. His invisible attributes are clearly seen since the creation of the world. The things made prove His eternal power and divine nature. Mankind has no excuse, read more.
for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

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

Our eyes are still wasting away in looking for our false help. We watch for a nation unable to give salvation.

My people planted wheat. They gathered weeds! They worked hard and got nothing for it. Because of my fierce anger their crops have failed.

He who sows unrighteousness will reap vanity. The rod of his anger will fail.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in your ways.

Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food necessary for me.

Bodily exercise is profitable for a little. However, godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of the life that is to come.

Do not be carried away by varied (different) and strange teachings. It is good that the heart is established by grace and not by food. Those who are occupied by them are not benefited.

Who knows what is good for man in this life? Are all the days of his vain life that he spends like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after his existence under the sun?

I hate my life. I do not want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for these few remaining days.

Every man walks about like a vain illusion. He makes a lot of noise over nothing. He hoards riches and does not know who will receive them.

This I say therefore, and testify (affirm) in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the vanity (futility) (depravity) of their mind (thinking).

Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens. What can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave. What can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. read more.
Who can oppose the one who passes by and confines you in prison and convenes a court? He recognizes deceitful men. When he sees evil, does he not take note? An empty headed man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.

Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)? Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete).

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away. A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

He brought their days to an end like a whisper in the wind. He brought their years to an end in terror.

You spoke by the mouth of your servant David: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? (Psalm 2:1)

for when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God. They did not thank him and were vain in their reasoning, for their foolish hearts were darkened.

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

Large quantities of meaningless words and repetition are not acceptable in prayer. The pagans think their gods will hear long and repetitious prayers.

Do not bring any more worthless grain offerings. Your incense is disgusting to me! So are your New Moon Festivals, your days of worship, and the assemblies you call. I cannot endure your evil assemblies!

Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what do we gain if we pray to him?

You have said: 'There is no value to serve God. What is the use of doing what he says or of trying to show Jehovah of Hosts that we are sorry for what we have done?'

Common people are only a vapor in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a vapor in the wind.

With stern reproof you discipline people for their iniquity. Like a moth you consume what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a breath of air.

When Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, he said to them: Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today. Command your sons to observe carefully all the words of this law. It is not an idle talk! Indeed it is your life. By this word you will prolong your days in the land you to possess on the other side of the Jordan.

And again: Jehovah knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain (useless) (empty). (Psalm 94:11)

Because there is a man whose work has been done with wisdom, with knowledge, and with an expert hand. But one who has done nothing for it will have it for his heritage. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Then I said in my heart: As it happens to the fool, so it will happen to me. Why have I been so wise? Then I said in my heart: This also is vanity.

Who is the Almighty that we should serve him? And what do we gain if we pray to him?

You have said: 'There is no value to serve God. What is the use of doing what he says or of trying to show Jehovah of Hosts that we are sorry for what we have done?'

His mouth is full of curses, deception, and oppression. Trouble and wrongdoing are on the tip of his tongue.

People speak lies to one another. They speak with flattering lips and with double-heart. (Double Heart: They say one thing but mean another.)

When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks falsehood. His heart collects gossip. Then he leaves to tell others.

When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away. A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain.

He brought their days to an end like a whisper in the wind. He brought their years to an end in terror.

My people planted wheat. They gathered weeds! They worked hard and got nothing for it. Because of my fierce anger their crops have failed.

He who sows unrighteousness will reap vanity. The rod of his anger will fail.

With stern reproof you discipline people for their iniquity. Like a moth you consume what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a breath of air.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain. But a woman who respects Jehovah will be praised.

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in your ways.

Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food necessary for me.

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.

Every man walks about like a vain illusion. He makes a lot of noise over nothing. He hoards riches and does not know who will receive them.

This I say therefore, and testify (affirm) in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the nations also walk, in the vanity (futility) (depravity) of their mind (thinking).

I searched in my mind how to stimulate my flesh with wine. My mind guided my heart with wisdom. I possessed foolishness until I could see what was good for the sons of men. I saw what they should do under the heavens all the days of their life.

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold joy from my heart. My heart took pleasure in all my work and this was my reward. I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.

I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with rejoicing. Consider goodness. This also is vanity.

Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

God has given man riches, wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires. Yet God has not empowered him to partake of them for a foreigner enjoys them. This is vanity and a severe affliction.

Jehovah is my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Nations come to you from the most distant parts of the world and say: Our ancestors have inherited lies, worthless and unprofitable gods.

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation is waiting for the manifestation (revelation) (disclosure) of the sons of God. For the creation was subject to corruption, not by it's own will but by reason of the one who subjected it on the basis of hope. read more.
The creation will also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Every man walks about like a vain illusion. He makes a lot of noise over nothing. He hoards riches and does not know who will receive them.

It is vain to work hard for the food you eat by getting up early and going to bed late. Jehovah gives food to those he loves while they sleep.

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished. He who gathers by labor will increase.

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread. He who follows after vain persons will have poverty.

Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished. He who gathers by labor will increase.

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread. He who follows worthless people lacks sense.

Listen to what I, Jehovah, say! I am against the prophets who tell their dreams that are full of lies. They tell these dreams and lead my people astray with their lies and their boasting. I did not send them or order them to go. They are of no help at all to the people. I Jehovah have spoken!

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your law.

He who sows unrighteousness will reap vanity. The rod of his anger will fail.

Treasures of wickedness (the morally wrong) profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

For, uttering arrogant words of vanity, they entice in the desires (lusts) of the flesh, by sensuality (lasciviousness), those who are just escaping from the ones who live in error.

Jehovah says: What bad thing (injustice) did your fathers find in me that they went so far away from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless (lead astray) themselves.

I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.

I have learned why people work so hard to succeed. It is because they envy the things their neighbors have. But it is vanity! It is like chasing the wind.

Know that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers. [The redemption] was not with corruptible things like silver or gold,

For the creation was subject to corruption, not by it's own will but by reason of the one who subjected it on the basis of hope.

Man is like a mere breath. His days are like a passing shadow.

With stern reproof you discipline people for their iniquity. Like a moth you consume what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a breath of air.

He plans wickedness upon his bed. He walks on a path that is not good. He does not despise evil.

I do not sit with deceitful men, and I will not be found among hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up (turned) to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love your law.

Indeed, you have made the length of my days very short. My life span is nothing compared to yours. Certainly, everyone alive is like a whisper in the wind.

If any man thinks he is religious, while he does not control his tongue but deceives his heart, this man's religion is vain (worthless) (useless).

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

Jehovah is my strength and my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Nations come to you from the most distant parts of the world and say: Our ancestors have inherited lies, worthless and unprofitable gods.

An empty headed man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.

He recognizes deceitful men. When he sees evil, does he not take note?

An empty headed man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.

He recognizes deceitful men. When he sees evil, does he not take note?

O sons of men, how long will my glorious honor be turned into shame? How long will you love empty, worthless things and search for the lie?

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

I will declare your righteousness and your works, yet they will not profit you.

I made great works. I built houses for myself. I planted vineyards for myself. I made myself parks and fruit gardens, planting in them fruit-trees of all kinds. I made water pools from which to water the young trees. read more.
I acquired male and female servants, and they gave birth to sons and daughters in my house. I had great wealth of herds and flocks, more than all who were in Jerusalem before me. I gathered silver and gold and the wealth of kings and of countries. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, girls of all sorts to be my brides. I became great and increased more than all who had been before me in Jerusalem and my wisdom remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold joy from my heart. My heart took pleasure in all my work and this was my reward. I looked at all the works my hands accomplished. I saw everything I had worked to do. I saw that all was vanity and grasping for the wind. It was to no purpose for there was no profit under the sun.

Let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless. He will get nothing in return.

For, uttering arrogant words of vanity, they entice in the desires (lusts) of the flesh, by sensuality (lasciviousness), those who are just escaping from the ones who live in error.

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Jehovah knows the thoughts of man. He knows that they a mere vanity.

Man is like a mere breath. His days are like a passing shadow.

With stern reproof you discipline people for their iniquity. Like a moth you consume what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a breath of air.

Jehovah says: What bad thing (injustice) did your fathers find in me that they went so far away from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless (lead astray) themselves.

He plans wickedness upon his bed. He walks on a path that is not good. He does not despise evil.

Wealth acquired by lying is fleeting vapor and a deadly pursuit.

Common people are only a vapor in the wind. Important people are only a delusion. When all of them are weighed on a scale, they amount to nothing. They are less than a vapor in the wind.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth, with gain. This too is vanity.

You are trusting in deceptive words that are of no value to you.

This was shown to you that you might know that JEHOVAH IS GOD! THERE IS NO ONE BESIDES HIM!

I do not sit with deceitful men, and I will not be found among hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up (turned) to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully.

O sons of men, how long will my glorious honor be turned into shame? How long will you love empty, worthless things and search for the lie?

I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with rejoicing. Consider goodness. This also is vanity.