I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is futility and striving after wind.
Parallel translations
- WEB I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- KJV I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
- BSB I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
- NKJV I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.
- NLT I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Having surveyed all human works, he concludes they are vanity and 'a chasing after wind.' Earthly endeavors cannot be grasped or held, like trying to catch the wind.
Overview
The memorable image of chasing wind captures the elusiveness of meaning found in human achievement. Qoheleth's verdict is comprehensive: everything done 'under the sun' fails to deliver lasting profit. This sober realism is not despair but a summons to look upward, finding in God the substance that earthly striving lacks.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Eccl 2:11Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
- Eccl 2:26For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- Eccl 2:17So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- Eccl 6:9Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- Eccl 1:17–18I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
- Ps 39:5–6Behold, you have made my days hand widths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath.” Selah.
- Eccl 4:4Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man’s neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- 1 Kgs 4:30–32Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
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Christ at the center
The search that finds everything 'under the sun' to be vapor exposes the emptiness of life without God and drives us to the one who alone gives meaning, the resurrection that makes our labor not in vain.
How Ecclesiastes 1:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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