Bible Lynx Logo

The Book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 6, Verse 9

View Previous Verses
8
For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?
King James Version
Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.
American Standard Version
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
New English Translation
It is better to be content with what the eyes can see than for one’s heart always to crave more. This continual longing is futile– like chasing the wind.
World English Bible
Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
10
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.
11
Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what [is] man the better?
12
For who knoweth what [is] good for man in [this] life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
1
A good name [is] better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2
[It is] better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that [is] the end of all men; and the living will lay [it] to his heart.
3
Sorrow [is] better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4
The heart of the wise [is] in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools [is] in the house of mirth.
5
[It is] better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so [is] the laughter of the fool: this also [is] vanity.
7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.