Parallel Verses
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?
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 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?
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 multiplying vanity; what advantage is to man? 12 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?
Names
Cross References
Job 14:2
As a flower he hath gone forth, and is cut off, And he fleeth as a shadow and standeth not.
Ecclesiastes 3:22
And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works, for it is his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after him?
Ecclesiastes 8:13
And good is not to the wicked, and he doth not prolong days as a shadow, because he is not fearing before God.
James 4:14
who do not know the thing of the morrow; for what is your life? for it is a vapour that is appearing for a little, and then is vanishing;
1 Chronicles 29:15
for sojourners we are before Thee, and settlers, like all our fathers; as a shadow are our days on the land, and there is none abiding.
Job 8:9
(For of yesterday we are, and we know not, For a shadow are our days on earth.)
Job 14:21
Honoured are his sons, and he knoweth not; And they are little, and he attendeth not to them.
Psalm 4:6
Many are saying, 'Who doth show us good?' Lift on us the light of Thy face, O Jehovah,
Psalm 16:5
Jehovah is the portion of my share, and of my cup, Thou -- Thou dost uphold my lot.
Psalm 17:15
I -- in righteousness, I see Thy face; I am satisfied, in awaking, with Thy form!
Psalm 39:5-6
Lo, handbreadths Thou hast made my days, And mine age is as nothing before Thee, Only, all vanity is every man set up. Selah.
Psalm 47:4
He doth choose for us our inheritance, The excellency of Jacob that He loves. Selah.
Psalm 89:47
Remember, I pray Thee, what is life-time? Wherefore in vain hast Thou created All the sons of men?
Psalm 90:10-12
Days of our years, in them are seventy years, And if, by reason of might, eighty years, Yet is their enlargement labour and vanity, For it hath been cut off hastily, and we fly away.
Psalm 102:11
My days as a shadow are stretched out, And I -- as the herb I am withered.
Psalm 109:23
As a shadow when it is stretched out I have gone, I have been driven away as a locust.
Psalm 144:4
Man to vanity hath been like, His days are as a shadow passing by.
Ecclesiastes 2:3
I have sought in my heart to draw out with wine my appetite, (and my heart leading in wisdom), and to take hold on folly till that I see where is this -- the good to the sons of man of that which they do under the heavens, the number of the days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 8:7
For he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?
Ecclesiastes 9:6
Their love also, their hatred also, their envy also, hath already perished, and they have no more a portion to the age in all that hath been done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 12:13
The end of the whole matter let us hear: -- 'Fear God, and keep His commands, for this is the whole of man.
Lamentations 3:24-27
My portion is Jehovah, hath my soul said, Therefore I hope for Him.
Micah 6:8
He hath declared to thee, O man, what is good; Yea, what is Jehovah requiring of thee, Except -- to do judgment, and love kindness, And lowly to walk with thy God?