Ecclesiastes 1:2

New Living Translation

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

Cross References

Job 11:12

An empty-headed person won’t become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.

Psalm 144:4

For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.

Psalm 89:47

Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!

Ecclesiastes 11:10

So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 11:8

When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 12:8

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”

Ecclesiastes 2:11

But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.

Ecclesiastes 2:15

Both will die. So I said to myself, “Since I will end up the same as the fool, what’s the value of all my wisdom? This is all so meaningless!”

Ecclesiastes 2:17

So I came to hate life because everything done here under the sun is so troubling. Everything is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:19

And who can tell whether my successors will be wise or foolish? Yet they will control everything I have gained by my skill and hard work under the sun. How meaningless!

Ecclesiastes 2:21

Some people work wisely with knowledge and skill, then must leave the fruit of their efforts to someone who hasn’t worked for it. This, too, is meaningless, a great tragedy.

Ecclesiastes 2:23

Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 2:26

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:8

I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!

Ecclesiastes 3:19

For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless!

Ecclesiastes 4:16

Endless crowds stand around him, but then another generation grows up and rejects him, too. So it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:4

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 4:8

This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

Ecclesiastes 6:11

The more words you speak, the less they mean. So what good are they?

Romans 8:20

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope,