Ecclesiastes 6:11
9 Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10 Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.
For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
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?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For the more words, the more futility—and how does that profit anyone?
- KJV
- Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
- WEB
- For there are many words that create vanity. What does that profit man?
- ASV
- Seeing there are many things that increase vanity, what is man the better?
- DARBY
- For there are many things that increase vanity: what is man advantaged?
- BLB
- For there are many words, multiplying vapor—what advantage [is] for man?
- ÅB
- for der er mange ord som bare øker tomheten - hva gagn har mennesket av det?
- OTB
- Jo flere ord, desto større tomhet, og hva nytte er det for noen?
- B1930
- for der er mange ord som bare øker tomheten - hvad gagn har mennesket av det?
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 4:16
There is no limit to all the people who were before them. Yet the successor will not be celebrated by those who come even later. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 5:7
For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
Read in contextHosea 12:1
Ephraim chases the wind and pursues the east wind all day long; he multiplies lies and violence; he makes a covenant with Assyria and sends olive oil to Egypt.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 2:3–11
I sought to cheer my body with wine and to embrace folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 4:1–4
Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 1:17–18
So I set my mind to know wisdom and madness and folly; I learned that this, too, is a pursuit of the wind.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 1:6–9
The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 4:8
There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.
Read in context