Parallel Verses
Amplified
For who [
New American Standard Bible
For who knows what is good for a man during his lifetime, during the few
King James Version
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?
Holman Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, in the few days of his futile life that he spends like a shadow?
A Conservative Version
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?
American Standard Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in his 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?
Bible in Basic English
Who is able to say what is good for man in life all the days of his foolish life which he goes through like a shade? who will say what is to be after him under the sun?
Darby Translation
For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
Julia Smith Translation
For who shall know what is for man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he will make them as a shadow? for who shall announce to man what shall be after him under the sun?
King James 2000
For who knows what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Lexham Expanded Bible
For who knows what [is] good for a man in his life during the few days of his fleeting life, which are fleeting as a shadow? For who can tell anyone what will happen {in the future} under the sun?
Modern King James verseion
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?
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
For who knoweth what is good for man living, in the days of his vain life, which is but a shadow? Or, who will tell a man what shall happen after him under the Sun?
NET Bible
For no one knows what is best for a person during his life -- during the few days of his fleeting life -- for they pass away like a shadow. Nor can anyone tell him what the future will hold for him on earth.
New Heart English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
The Emphasized Bible
For who knoweth what is good for a man throughout his life, for the number of the days of his life of vanity, seeing he will make them, like a shadow, - for who can tell a man, what shall be after him, under the sun?
Webster
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?
World English Bible
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
Youngs Literal Translation
For who knoweth what is good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?
Themes
Life » Uncertainty of physical » Only a handbreadth in extent
Life » Brief » Only a handbreadth in extent
natural Life » Is compared to » A shadow
natural Life » Described as » Vain
natural Life » We know not what is good for us in
Man » Not profited by all his labor and travail
Man » Ignorant of what is good for him
Topics
Interlinear
Yada`
Towb
Chay
Micpar
Nagad
References
Hastings
Word Count of 19 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:12
Verse Info
Context Readings
The Future Is Inscrutable To Humans
11
For there are many other words that increase futility. What then is the advantage for a man?
12 For who [
Names
Cross References
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
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are
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]!
Psalm 47:4
He chooses our inheritance for us,
The glory and excellence of Jacob whom He loves.
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
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]?