Ecclesiastes 1:4
2 “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”
3 What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises.
6 The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
- KJV
- One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
- WEB
- One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
- ASV
- One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.
- DARBY
- [One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever.
- BLB
- A generation is going and a generation is coming, and the earth is standing forever.
- ÅB
- Slekt går, og slekt kommer, men jorden står evindelig.
- OTB
- Slekter kommer og slekter går, men jorden forblir den samme gjennom tidene.
- B1930
- Slekt går, og slekt kommer, men jorden står evindelig.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Psalms 104:5
He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.
Read in contextZechariah 1:5
Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever?
Read in contextEcclesiastes 6:12
For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?
Read in contextMatthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
Read in contextPsalms 119:90–91
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
Read in contextPsalms 89:47–48
Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!
Read in context2 Peter 3:10–13
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Read in contextPsalms 102:24–28
I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.
Read in context