Ecclesiastes 6:10 — Compare Translations

27 translations compared side by side

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

What [is] that which hath been? already is its name called, and it is known that it [is] man, and he is not able to contend with him who is stronger than he.

English ASV

Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is know what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.

English Amplified

Whatever [man] is, he has been named that long ago, and it is known that it is man [Adam]; nor can he contend with Him who is mightier than he [whether God or death].

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Whatever [man] is, he has been named that long ago, and it is known that it is man [Adam]; nor can he contend with Him who is mightier than he [whether God or death].

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what mankind is. But he is not able to contend with the one stronger than he.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

That which is hath already been named; and what man is, is known, and that he cannot contend with him that is mightier than he.

English EASY 2024

Everything that is here today already has its name. Everyone knows what we humans are like. It is useless to argue with someone who is more powerful than we are.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

You are only what you were created to be—a human, and it is useless to argue about it. People cannot argue with God about this because he is more powerful than they are, and a long argument will not change that fact.

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Everything that happens was already determined long ago, and we all know that you cannot argue with someone who is stronger than you.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Whatever has happened {in the past} already has a name. Mortals are already known for what they are. Mortals cannot argue with the one who is stronger than they.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and who man is, is known. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he.

English KJV 1611

That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

English LSB

Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; and he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

What has already been has been named and determined, and it is already designated what will happen to a person; he cannot contend with Him who is stronger than he.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Whatever is, was long ago given its name, and the nature of man is known, and that he cannot contend in judgment with one who is stronger than he.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Whatever has happened was foreordained, and what happens to a person was also foreknown. It is useless for him to argue with God about his fate because God is more powerful than he is.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

God has already planned what now exists. He has already decided what man is. A man can't argue with the One who is stronger than he is.

English NIV

Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with one who is stronger than he.

English NKJ 1982

Whatever one is, he has been named already, For it is known that he is man; And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.

English NLT

Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what human beings are, and that they are not able to dispute with those who are stronger.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

All things are decided by fate; it was known long ago what each man would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.

English Tyndale 1537

What is more excellent than man? Yet can he not in the law get the victory of him that is mightier than he: