Ecclesiastes 1:2 — Compare Translations
27 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, Vanity of vanities: the whole [is] vanity.
English ASV
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
English Amplified
Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities! All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory). [Rom. 8:20.]
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, says the Preacher. Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities! All is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vainglory). [Rom. 8:20.]
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity.
English EASY 2024
The Teacher says, ‘Nothing has a purpose. Nothing that ever happens has a purpose.’
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
Everything is so meaningless. The Teacher says that it is all a waste of time!
English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
English GNT (Good News Translation)
It is useless, useless, said the Philosopher. Life is useless, all useless.
English God's Word - GW 1995
"Absolutely pointless!" says the spokesman. "Absolutely pointless! Everything is pointless."
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
"Absolute futility," says the Teacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile."
English KJV 1611
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
English LSB
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
“Vanity of vanities,” says Qoheleth, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity."
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
“Futile! Futile!” laments the Teacher, “Absolutely futile! Everything is futile!”
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
"Meaningless! Everything is meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is completely meaningless! Nothing has any meaning."
English NIV
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
English NKJ 1982
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
English NLT
"Everything is meaningless," says the Teacher, "utterly meaningless!"
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
In my opinion, nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile.
English Tyndale 1537
All is but vanity (sayeth the Preacher) all is but plain vanity.