Parallel Verses
NET Bible
Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless -- like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth."
New American Standard Bible
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had
King James Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Holman Bible
When I considered all that I had accomplished
International Standard Version
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.
A Conservative Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
American Standard Version
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do; and, behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Amplified
Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.
Bible in Basic English
Then I saw all the works which my hands had made, and everything I had been working to do; and I saw that all was to no purpose and desire for wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Darby Translation
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that it had cost me to do them; and behold, all was vanity and pursuit of the wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Julia Smith Translation
And I looked upon all my works my hands made, and upon the labor I labored to do, and behold, all vanity and striving of the spirit, and no profit under the sun.
King James 2000
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had made, and on the labor that I had expended on it: and, behold, all was vanity and like grasping the wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Lexham Expanded Bible
Yet when I considered all the effort which I expended and the toil with which I toiled to do, then behold, "Everything [is] vanity and chasing wind! There is nothing profitable under the sun!"
Modern King James verseion
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.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
But when I considered all the works that my hands had wrought, and all the labours that I had taken therein: Lo, all was vanity and vexation of mind, and nothing of any value under the Sun.
New Heart English Bible
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
The Emphasized Bible
When, I, looked upon all my works, which my hands had made, and on my toil, whereon I had toilsomely wrought, then lo! all, was vanity, and feeding on wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Webster
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
World English Bible
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
Youngs Literal Translation
and I have looked on all my works that my hands have done, and on the labour that I have laboured to do, and lo, the whole is vanity and vexation of spirit, and there is no advantage under the sun!
Themes
worldly Amusements and pleasures » Are all vanity
Amusements and worldly pleasures » Vain
Dissatisfaction » With the sinful life
Labour » fields of activity » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Music » Vanity of all unsanctified
Toil » Worldly, sometimes disappointing
Worldliness » Seen in the tendency to imitate worldly customs, etc » Unprofitable
Topics
Interlinear
Panah
Yad
`amal
Yithrown
References
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 2:11
Verse Info
Context Readings
Qohelet's Investigation Of Personal Accomplishment
10 I did not restrain myself from getting whatever I wanted; I did not deny myself anything that would bring me pleasure. So all my accomplishments gave me joy; this was my reward for all my effort. 11 Yet when I reflected on everything I had accomplished and on all the effort that I had expended to accomplish it, I concluded: "All these achievements and possessions are ultimately profitless -- like chasing the wind! There is nothing gained from them on earth." 12 Next, I decided to consider wisdom, as well as foolish behavior and ideas. For what more can the king's successor do than what the king has already done?
Phrases
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I reflected on everything that is accomplished by man on earth, and I concluded: Everything he has accomplished is futile -- like chasing the wind!
Ecclesiastes 1:3
What benefit do people get from all the effort which they expend on earth?
Genesis 1:31
God saw all that he had made -- and it was very good! There was evening, and there was morning, the sixth day.
Exodus 39:43
Moses inspected all the work -- and they had done it just as the Lord had commanded -- they had done it exactly -- and Moses blessed them.
Ecclesiastes 2:17-23
So I loathed life because what happens on earth seems awful to me; for all the benefits of wisdom are futile -- like chasing the wind.
Habakkuk 2:13
Be sure of this! The Lord who commands armies has decreed: The nations' efforts will go up in smoke; their exhausting work will be for nothing.
1 Timothy 6:6
Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.
1 John 2:16-17
because all that is in the world (the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the arrogance produced by material possessions) is not from the Father, but is from the world.