Parallel Verses
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?
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?
Amplified
For who [
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 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 things that increase vanity, and what is man the better? 12 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?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
He comes forth like a flower, and withers; he also flees as a shadow, and does not stand.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
Therefore I have seen that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes 8:13
But it shall not be well with the wicked, nor shall he make his days longer like a shadow; because he does not fear before God.
James 4:14
who do not know of the morrow. For what is your life? For it is a vapor, which appears for a little time, and then disappears.
1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are strangers before You, and pilgrims, as our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and none abides.
Job 8:9
for we are but of yesterday and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.
Job 14:21
His sons come to honor, and he knows it not; they fall, but he does not mark it.
Psalm 4:6
There are many who say, Who will show us any good? Jehovah, lift up the light of Your face on us.
Psalm 16:5
Jehovah is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup; You shall uphold my lot.
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your image.
Psalm 39:5-6
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.
Psalm 47:4
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the majesty of Jacob whom He loved. Selah.
Psalm 89:47
Remember, I pray, how short my time is; why have You made all men in vain?
Psalm 90:10-12
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by strength they are fourscore years, yet their pride is labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalm 102:11
My days are like a shadow stretched out; and I wither like grass.
Psalm 109:23
As a shadow when it is stretched out, I am gone; I am shaken off like the locust.
Psalm 144:4
Man is like vanity; his days are like a shadow that passes away.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
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.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he does not know what shall be; for who can tell him when it shall be?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; nor do they any longer have a part forever in all that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God, and keep His commandments. For this is the whole duty of man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
Jehovah is my portion, says my soul; therefore I will hope in Him.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does Jehovah require of you but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God?