| 1:1 |
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: |
The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem: |
| 1:2 |
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. |
Emptiness! Emptiness! says the Teacher; Emptiness! Emptiness! Everything is emptiness. |
| 1:3 |
What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun? |
What does a person gain from all their labor they do under the sun? |
| 1:9 |
That which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun. |
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun. |
| 1:10 |
Is there a thing of which it may be said, Behold, this is new? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us. |
Is there a thing of which it may be said, Look, this is new? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us. |
| 1:11 |
There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after. |
There is no memory of the former; neither will there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that come after. |
| 1:12 |
I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. |
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. |
| 1:14 |
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and I see that all is emptiness and a chasing after wind. |
| 1:16 |
I said to myself, Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. |
I said to myself, Look, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. |
| 2:1 |
I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure; and behold, this also was vanity. |
I said in my heart, Come now, I will test you with mirth; therefore enjoy pleasure. But this also was emptiness. |
| 2:2 |
I said of laughter, It is foolishness; and of mirth, What does it accomplish? |
I said of laughter, It is foolishness, and of pleasure, What does it accomplish? |
| 2:11 |
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. |
Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and I saw that everything was emptiness and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun. |
| 2:12 |
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly; for what can the kings successor do? Just that which has been done long ago. |
I turned myself to consider wisdom, madness, and folly. What can the kings successor do other than what has been done long ago? |
| 2:14 |
The wise mans eyes are in his head, and the fool walks in darkness—and yet I perceived that one event happens to them all. |
The wise person has eyes in their head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I came to realize that the same event comes to them all. |
| 2:15 |
Then I said in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is vanity. |
Then I said in my heart, As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart that this also is emptiness. |
| 2:16 |
For of the wise man, even as of the fool, there is no memory forever, since in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. Indeed, the wise man must die just like the fool! |
For there will be no lasting memory of the wise, the same as the fool, since in the days to come everything will be long forgotten. Indeed, the wise will die just like the fool! |
| 2:17 |
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me. All is emptiness and a chasing after wind. |
| 2:18 |
I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. |
I hated all my labor in which I labored under the sun, because I must leave it to the one who comes after me. |
| 2:19 |
Who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. |
Who knows whether they will be wise or a fool? Yet they will have rule over all of my labor in which I have labored, and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is emptiness. |
| 2:21 |
For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. |
For there is a person whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness, yet they must leave their portion to someone who has not labored for it. This also is emptiness and a great evil. |
| 2:22 |
For what does a man have of all his labor and of the striving of his heart, in which he labors under the sun? |
For what does someone get from all their labor and from the striving of their heart through which they labor under the sun? |
| 2:23 |
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. |
For all his days are sorrows, and his travail is grief; yes, even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is emptiness. |
| 2:24 |
There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it is from the hand of God. |
There is nothing better for a person than that they should eat and drink, and consider in their soul the good of their labor. I have seen that it is from the hand of God. |
| 2:26 |
For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
For to the person who pleases ʜɪᴍ, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner ʜᴇ gives the task of gathering and accumulating, so that ʜᴇ may give to someone who pleases God. This also is emptiness and a chasing after wind. |
| 3:11 |
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man cant find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end. |
Hᴇ has made everything beautiful in its time. Hᴇ has set eternity in their hearts, but no one can find out the work that God has done from the beginning to the end. |
| 3:13 |
Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. |
That every person should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all their labor, is the gift of God. |
| 3:14 |
I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him. |
I know that whatever God does, it will be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that people will fear ʜɪᴍ. |
| 3:19 |
For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity. |
For that which happens to the children of humanity happens to animals. The same thing happens to both. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath, and humankind has no advantage over the animals, for all is emptiness. |
| 3:21 |
Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth? |
Who knows the human spirit, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth? |
| 3:22 |
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him? |
Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a person should rejoice in their works, for that is their lot. For who can show them what will come after them? |
| 4:1 |
Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. |
Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. Look, the tears of those who were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. |
| 4:4 |
Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a mans neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. |
Then I saw that all the labor and achievement come from the envy of ones neighbor. This also is emptiness and a striving after wind. |
| 4:7 |
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun. |
Then I returned and saw emptiness under the sun. |
| 4:8 |
There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity. Yes, it is a miserable business. |
There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then do I labor and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is emptiness. Yes, it is a miserable business. |
| 4:12 |
If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. |
If someone overpowers one person, two can withstand him. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. |
| 4:16 |
There was no end of all the people, even of all them over whom he was—yet those who come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
There was no end of all the people who were before him, yet those who come after will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is emptiness and a chasing after wind. |
| 5:10 |
He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. |
Whoever loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, and whoever loves abundance will not be satisfied with their income. This also is emptiness. |
| 5:11 |
When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes? |
When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with their eyes? |
| 5:12 |
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep. |
The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether they eat little or much. But the abundance of the rich will not allow them to sleep. |
| 5:13 |
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. |
There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by owners to their harm. |
| 5:14 |
Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. |
Those riches were lost through misfortune, so when they have children, they are empty handed. |
| 5:15 |
As he came out of his mothers womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. |
Just as a person comes naked from their mothers womb, so will they return. They will take nothing for their labor that can be carried by hand. |
| 5:16 |
This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind? |
This also is a grievous evil: just as one enters, so they will go. And what profit does a person have who labors for the wind? |
| 5:17 |
All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath. |
All their days they eat in darkness, with frustration, sickness, and anger. |
| 5:18 |
Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. |
Look, what I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all their labor under the sun, all the days of their life which God has given them; for this is a persons portion. |
| 5:19 |
Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God. |
When God gives someone riches and wealth, along with the ability to enjoy it, take their portion, and rejoice in their labor—this is a gift from God. |
| 5:20 |
For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life, because God occupies him with the joy of his heart. |
For people do not often reflect on the days of their life, because God occupies them with the joy of their heart. |
| 6:1 |
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on men: |
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is heavy on humankind: |
| 6:2 |
a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but an alien eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease. |
a person to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that they lack nothing for their soul desires, yet God has not empowered them to enjoy it, and a foreigner enjoys it. This is emptiness, and it is an evil disease. |
| 6:3 |
If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he; |
If a man fathers a hundred children, and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not filled with good, and moreover he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he; |
| 6:4 |
for it comes in vanity, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. |
for it comes in emptiness, and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. |
| 6:8 |
For what advantage has the wise more than the fool? What has the poor man, that knows how to walk before the living? |
For what advantage does the wise have over the fool? What advantage do the poor gain by knowing how to walk before the living? |
| 6:9 |
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind. |
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is emptiness and a chasing after wind. |
| 6:10 |
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. |
Whatever has been, its name was given long ago; and it is known what humankind is; neither can he contend with him who is mightier than he. |
| 6:11 |
For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man? |
When words increase, emptiness increases. What does that profit humanity? |
| 7:5 |
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than for a man to hear the song of fools. |
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. |
| 7:6 |
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. |
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is emptiness. |
| 7:7 |
Surely extortion makes the wise man foolish; and a bribe destroys the understanding. |
Surely extortion makes the wise person foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding. |
| 7:14 |
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, to the end that man should not find out anything after him. |
In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider; yes, God has made the one side by side with the other, so that no one can find out anything that comes after them. |
| 7:15 |
All this I have seen in my days of vanity: there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who lives long in his evildoing. |
All this I have seen in my days of emptiness: there is a righteous person who perishes in their righteousness, and there is a wicked person who lives long in their evildoing. |
| 7:18 |
It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also dont withdraw your hand from that; for he who fears God will come out of them all. |
It is good that you should take hold of this. Yes, also dont withdraw your hand from the other, for the one who fears God will end up with both. |
| 7:19 |
Wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city. |
Wisdom is a strength to the wise person more than ten rulers who are in a city. |
| 7:20 |
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and doesnt sin. |
Surely there is not a righteous person on earth who does good and never sins. |
| 7:26 |
I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God shall escape from her; but the sinner will be ensnared by her. |
I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and traps, whose hands are chains. Whoever pleases God must escape from her, but the sinner will be ensnared by her. |
| 7:27 |
Behold, I have found this, says the Preacher, to one another, to find an explanation |
Look, I have found this, says the Teacher, by adding one thing to another, to find an explanation |
| 7:28 |
which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those. |
which my soul still seeks, but I have not found. I have found one person among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all those. |
| 7:29 |
Behold, I have only found this: that God made mankind upright; but they search for many inventions. |
I have only found this: that God made humankind upright, but they search for many inventions. |
| 8:1 |
Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A mans wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed. |
Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A humans wisdom makes their face shine, and its hardness is changed. |
| 8:5 |
Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure. |
Whoever keeps the commandment will not come to harm, and a wise heart will know the time and procedure. |
| 8:6 |
For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him. |
For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of a person is heavy on them. |
| 8:8 |
There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it. |
No one has power over the wind to contain it, neither does anyone have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither will wickedness deliver those who practice it. |
| 8:9 |
All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt. |
All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which a person has power over another to their own hurt. |
| 8:10 |
So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is vanity. |
So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is emptiness. |
| 8:13 |
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow, because he doesnt fear God. |
But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he lengthen days like a shadow, because he doesnt fear God. |
| 8:14 |
There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. |
There is an emptiness which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is emptiness. |
| 8:15 |
Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun than to eat, to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. |
Then I commended enjoyment, because there is no better thing under the sun than for a person to eat, drink, and be joyful: for that will accompany them in their labor all the days of their life which God has given under the sun. |
| 8:17 |
then I saw all the work of God, that man cant find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he wont find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he wont be able to find it. |
then I saw all the work of God, that person cant find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much someone works to find it out, they will never find it. Yes, even though the wise claim to comprehend it, they cannot find it. |
| 9:1 |
For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, man doesnt know it; all is before them. |
For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, no one knows it. Everything is before them. |
| 9:2 |
All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesnt sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath. |
Everything is the same for everyone. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesnt sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath. |
| 9:6 |
Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither do they any longer have a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun. |
Also their love, their hatred, and their envy perished long ago; neither do they any longer have a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun. |
| 9:9 |
Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity, for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun. |
Live joyfully with your wife, whom you love, all the days of your empty life, which God has given you under the sun, all your days of emptiness, for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun. |
| 9:12 |
For man also doesnt know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them. |
For no one knows their time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them. |
| 9:15 |
Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. |
Now a poor wise person was found in it, and by his wisdom he delivered the city. But no one remembered that same poor man. |
| 9:16 |
Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor mans wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. |
Then I said, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor persons wisdom is despised, and their words are not heard. |
| 10:2 |
A wise mans heart is at his right hand, but a fools heart at his left. |
A wise persons heart is at their right hand, but a fools heart at their left. |
| 10:6 |
Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. |
Fools are appointed to great dignity, and the rich sit in a low place. |
| 10:11 |
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then is there no profit for the charmers tongue. |
If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no profit for the charmers tongue. |
| 10:12 |
The words of a wise mans mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. |
The words of a wise persons mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by their own lips. |
| 10:14 |
A fool also multiplies words. Man doesnt know what will be; and that which will be after him, who can tell him? |
A fool also multiplies words. No one knows what will happen; and who can tell someone what will come after them? |
| 11:1 |
Cast your bread on the waters; for you shall find it after many days. |
Send your grain over the waters, for you will find it after many days. |
| 11:2 |
Give a portion to seven, yes, even to eight; for you dont know what evil will be on the earth. |
Invest in seven shares, or even eight, for you dont know what disaster will be on the earth. |
| 11:3 |
If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there shall it be. |
If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. |
| 11:4 |
He who observes the wind wont sow; and he who regards the clouds wont reap. |
The one who observes the wind wont sow; and the one who regards the clouds wont reap. |
| 11:8 |
Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that comes is vanity. |
Yes, if someone lives many years, let them rejoice in them all; but let them remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that comes is emptiness. |
| 11:9 |
Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you 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 these things God will bring you into judgment. |
Rejoice, young person, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you 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 these things God will bring you into judgment. |
| 11:10 |
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. |
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh, for youth and the dawn of life are emptiness. |
| 12:3 |
in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened, |
in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men will stoop, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look out of the windows are darkened, |
| 12:4 |
and the doors shall be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one shall rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought low; |
and the doors will be shut in the street; when the sound of the grinding is low, and one will rise up at the voice of a bird, and all the daughters of music will be brought low; |
| 12:5 |
yes, they shall be afraid of heights, and terrors will be on the way; and the almond tree shall blossom, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail; because man goes to his everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets; |
yes, they will be afraid of heights, and terrors will be on the way; and the almond tree will blossom, and the grasshopper will be a burden, and desire will fail; because humankind will go to their everlasting home, and the mourners go about the streets; |
| 12:8 |
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher. All is vanity! |
Emptiness! Emptiness! says the Teacher. All is emptiness! |
| 12:9 |
Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs. |
In addition to being wise, the Teacher still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs. |
| 12:10 |
The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. |
The Teacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth. |
| 12:12 |
Furthermore, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. |
Furthermore, my son, be warned: of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearying to the flesh. |