Ecclesiastes 6:4 — Compare All Translations

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

For in vanity he came in, and in darkness he goeth, and in darkness his name is covered,

English ASV

for it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and the name thereof is covered with darkness;

English Amplified

For [the untimely one] comes in futility and goes into darkness, and in darkness his name is covered.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

For [the untimely one] comes in futility and goes into darkness, and in darkness his name is covered.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

For a stillborn child enters in futility and departs in darkness, and his name is shrouded in obscurity.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

For it cometh in vanity, and departeth in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness;

English EASY 2024

The child's birth has no purpose. He immediately goes to a dark place. Nobody ever speaks his name.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

It is senseless when a baby is born dead. The baby is quickly buried in a dark grave, without even a name.

For it comes in vanity and goes in darkness, and in darkness its name is covered.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

It does that baby no good to be born; it disappears into darkness, where it is forgotten.

English God's Word - GW 1995

A stillborn baby arrives in a pointless birth and goes out into the darkness. The darkness then hides its name.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.

English KJV 1611

For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness.

English LSB

for that one comes in vanity and goes into darkness; and that one’s name is covered in darkness.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

for the child comes in vanity, and then leaves in darkness, and in darkness his name is covered up.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!

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

Though it came in vain and goes into darkness and its name is enveloped in darkness;

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Though the stillborn child came into the world for no reason and departed into darkness, though its name is shrouded in darkness,

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

That kind of birth doesn't have any meaning. The baby dies in darkness and leaves this world. And in darkness it is forgotten.

English NIV

It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.

English NKJ 1982

for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness.

English NLT

I realize that his birth would have been meaningless and ended in darkness. He wouldn't even have had a name,

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered;

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered;

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

For though his birth would then be futile and end in darkness, without even a name,

English Tyndale 1537

For he cometh to naught, and goeth his way into darkness, and his name is forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 6:4 — Compare Translations