Parallel Verses
Holman Bible
Better what the eyes see than wandering desire.
New American Standard Bible
What the eyes
King James Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
International Standard Version
It is better to focus on what you can see than to meander after your self-interest; this also is pointless and a chasing after wind.
A Conservative Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
American Standard Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
Amplified
What the eyes see [enjoying what is available] is better than [craving] what the soul desires. This too is futility and chasing after the wind.
Bible in Basic English
What the eyes see is better than the wandering of desire. This is to no purpose and a desire for wind.
Darby Translation
Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Julia Smith Translation
Good the sight of the eyes above the going of the soul. Also this is vanity and striving of spirit
King James 2000
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and grasping after the wind.
Lexham Expanded Bible
{Better to be content with what your eyes see than for your soul to constantly crave more}. This also [is] vanity and chasing wind!
Modern King James verseion
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
The sight of the eyes is better, then that the soul should so depart away. Howbeit, this is also a vain thing and a disquietness of mind.
NET Bible
It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one's heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile -- like chasing the wind.
New Heart English Bible
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
The Emphasized Bible
Better what the eyes behold, than the wandering of desire, - even this, was vanity, and a feeding on wind.
Webster
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
World English Bible
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Youngs Literal Translation
Better is the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
Interlinear
Towb
`ayin
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Ecclesiastes 6:9
Verse Info
Context Readings
One Must Learn To Be Content With What One Has
8
What advantage then does the wise man have over the fool?
Names
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun and have found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
Job 31:7
my heart has followed my eyes,
or impurity has stained my hands,
Proverbs 30:15-16
Three things
four never say, “Enough!”:
Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11
When I considered all that I had accomplished
Ecclesiastes 2:22-24
For what does a man get with all his work and all his efforts
Ecclesiastes 3:12-13
I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the
Ecclesiastes 4:4
I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to a man’s jealousy of his friend.
Ecclesiastes 5:18
Here is what I have seen to be good:
Ecclesiastes 6:2
God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor
Ecclesiastes 11:9
and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth.
And walk in the ways of your heart
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all of these things God will bring you to judgment.
Jeremiah 2:20
I
You insisted, “I will not serve!”
On every high hill
and under every green tree
you lie down like a prostitute.