Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who [limited by human wisdom] knows what is good for man during his lifetime, during the few days of his futile life? He spends them like a shadow [staying busy, but achieving nothing of lasting value]. For who can tell a man what will happen after him [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun [after his life is over]?

Job 14:2


“Like a flower he comes forth and withers;
He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?

Ecclesiastes 8:13

But it will not be well for the evil man, nor will he lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.

James 4:14

Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining].

Job 8:9


“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].

Job 14:21


“His sons achieve honor, and he does not know it;
They become insignificant, and he is not aware of it.

Psalm 4:6


Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!”
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.

Psalm 16:5


The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, my cup [He is all I need];
You support my lot.

Psalm 17:15


As for me, I shall see Your face in righteousness;
I will be [fully] satisfied when I awake [to find myself] seeing Your likeness.

Psalm 39:5-6


“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah.

Psalm 47:4


He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory and excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.

Psalm 89:47


Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;
For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!

Psalm 90:10-12


The days of our life are seventy years—
Or even, if because of strength, eighty years;
Yet their pride [in additional years] is only labor and sorrow,
For it is soon gone and we fly away.

Psalm 102:11


My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes [with the sun];
And as for me, I wither away like grass.

Psalm 109:23


I am vanishing like a shadow when it lengthens and fades;
I am shaken off like the locust.

Psalm 144:4


Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a shadow that passes away.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 8:7


For no one knows what will happen;
So who can tell him how and when it will happen?

Ecclesiastes 9:6

Indeed their love, their hatred and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share [in this age] in anything that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.

Lamentations 3:24-27


“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.”

Micah 6:8


He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

General references

Bible References

Who knoweth

Ecclesiastes 2:3
I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
When all has been heard, the end of the matter is: fear God [worship Him with awe-filled reverence, knowing that He is almighty God] and keep His commandments, for this applies to every person.
Psalm 4:6

Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see some good!”
Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O Lord.
Psalm 16:5

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, my cup [He is all I need];
You support my lot.
Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall see Your face in righteousness;
I will be [fully] satisfied when I awake [to find myself] seeing Your likeness.
Psalm 47:4

He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory and excellence of Jacob whom He loves. Selah.
Lamentations 3:24

“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul;
“Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.”
Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion),
And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

The days of his vain life

Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it will not be well for the evil man, nor will he lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Indeed their love, their hatred and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share [in this age] in anything that is done under the sun.
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining].
Job 8:9

“For we are only of yesterday and know nothing,
Because our days on earth are [like] a shadow [just a breath or a vapor].
Job 14:2

“Like a flower he comes forth and withers;
He also flees like a shadow and does not remain.
Psalm 39:5

“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,
And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah.
Psalm 89:47

Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;
For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!
Psalm 90:10

The days of our life are seventy years—
Or even, if because of strength, eighty years;
Yet their pride [in additional years] is only labor and sorrow,
For it is soon gone and we fly away.
Psalm 102:11

My days are like an evening shadow that lengthens and vanishes [with the sun];
And as for me, I wither away like grass.
Psalm 109:23

I am vanishing like a shadow when it lengthens and fades;
I am shaken off like the locust.
Psalm 144:4

Man is like a mere breath;
His days are like a shadow that passes away.
James 4:14
Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].

For who can

Ecclesiastes 3:22
So I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should be happy in his own works and activities, for that is his portion (share). For who will bring him [back] to see what will happen after he is gone?
Ecclesiastes 8:7

For no one knows what will happen;
So who can tell him how and when it will happen?
Job 14:21

“His sons achieve honor, and he does not know it;
They become insignificant, and he is not aware of it.

General references

Ecclesiastes 12:8
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher. “All [that is done without God’s guidance] is vanity (futility).”