Ecclesiastes 6:12 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

¹² For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹² 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?

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹² For who [limited to human wisdom] knows what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow [going through the motions but accomplishing nothing]? For who can tell a man what will happen [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun after he is gone?

American Standard Version (1901)

¹² 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?

Common English Bible

¹² Because who knows what’s good for human beings during life, during their brief pointless life, which will pass away like a shadow? Who can say what the future holds for people under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 6:12 Cross References

1 Chronicles 29:15

For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.

Job 14:2

comes up like a flower and withers, flees like a shadow and does not last.

Job 14:21

Their children come to honor, and they do not know it; they are brought low, and it goes unnoticed.

Job 8:9

for we are but of yesterday, and we know nothing, for our days on earth are but a shadow.

Psalm 102:11

My days are like a lengthening shadow; I wither away like grass.

Psalm 109:23

I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust.

Psalm 144:4

They are like a breath; their days are like a passing shadow.

Psalm 16:5

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.

Psalm 17:15

As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake I shall be satisfied, beholding your likeness.

Psalm 4:6

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”

Psalm 47:4

He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

Psalm 89:47

Remember how short my time is— for what vanity you have created all mortals!

Ecclesiastes 10:14

yet fools talk on and on. No one knows what is to happen, and who can tell anyone what the future holds?

Ecclesiastes 12:13

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of everyone.

Ecclesiastes 2:24

There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,

Ecclesiastes 2:3

I searched with my mind how to cheer my body with wine—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, until I might see what was good for mortals to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

Ecclesiastes 3:22

So I saw that there is nothing better than that all should enjoy their work, for that is their lot; who can bring them to see what will be after them?

Ecclesiastes 6:11

The more words, the more vanity, so how is one the better?

Ecclesiastes 7:15

In my vain life I have seen everything; there are righteous people who perish in their righteousness, and there are wicked people who prolong their life in their evildoing.

Ecclesiastes 8:13

but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.

Ecclesiastes 8:7

Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?

Ecclesiastes 9:6

Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9:9

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?

James 4:14

Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.