Ecclesiastes 1:2

New American Bible - revised edition

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!

Cross References

Psalm 144:4

Man is but a breath, his days are like a passing shadow.

Romans 8:20

for creation was made subject to futility, not of its own accord but because of the one who subjected it, in hope

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Where there are great riches, there are also many to devour them. Of what use are they to the owner except as a feast for the eyes alone?

Ecclesiastes 12:8

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, all things are vanity! Epilogue.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

For to the one who pleases God, he gives wisdom and knowledge and joy; but to the one who displeases, God gives the task of gathering possessions for the one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chase after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:19

And who knows whether that one will be wise or a fool? Yet that one will take control of all the fruits of my toil and wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:11

But when I turned to all the works that my hands had wrought, and to the fruit of the toil for which I had toiled so much, see! all was vanity and a chase after wind. There is no profit under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

Every day sorrow and grief are their occupation; even at night their hearts are not at rest. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:17

Therefore I detested life, since for me the work that is done under the sun is bad; for all is vanity and a chase after wind. To Others the Profits.

Ecclesiastes 11:8

However many years mortals may live, let them, as they enjoy them all, remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that is to come is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 6:11

For the more words, the more vanity; what profit is there for anyone?

Ecclesiastes 4:8

those all alone with no companion, with neither child nor sibling—with no end to all their toil, and no satisfaction from riches. For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good things? This also is vanity and a bad business.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I saw that all toil and skillful work is the rivalry of one person with another. This also is vanity and a chase after wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For the lot of mortals and the lot of beasts is the same lot: The one dies as well as the other. Both have the same life breath. Human beings have no advantage over beasts, but all is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 2:21

For here is one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and that one’s legacy must be left to another who has not toiled for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Ecclesiastes 11:10

Banish misery from your heart and remove pain from your body, for youth and black hair are fleeting.

Ecclesiastes 4:16

There is no end to all this people, to all who were before them; yet the later generations will not have joy in him. This also is vanity and a chase after wind. Vanity of Many Words.

Ecclesiastes 2:15

So I said in my heart, if the fool’s lot is to befall me also, why should I be wise? Where is the profit? And in my heart I decided that this too is vanity.

Job 11:12

An empty head will gain understanding, when a colt of a wild jackass is born human.

Psalm 89:47

How long, Lord? Will you hide forever? Must your wrath smolder like fire?

Ecclesiastes 2:8

I amassed for myself silver and gold, and the treasures of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and delights of men, many women.