Ecclesiastes 1:1–3
THE words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
¶ The wordes of the Preacher, the son of Dauid, King in Ierusalem.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
*Uanitie of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceChap.12.9 psal.144.4. psal.36.6. and 62.9.
What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
*What profite hath a man of all his labour which hee taketh vnder the Sunne?
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceCha.2.22. and 3.9.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Cross References
15 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 1
- Ecclesiastes 12:8–10Rank 1 from verse 1
8¶ Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
9And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
8¶ *Uanitie of vanities (saith the preacher) all is vanitie.
9‖*And moreouer because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge, yea he gaue good heed, and sought out, and set in order many prouerbes.
10†The preacher sought to finde out acceptable words, and that which was written was vpright, euen wordes of trueth.
- Ecclesiastes 1:12Rank 2 from verse 1
- Ecclesiastes 7:27Rank 3 from verse 1
- 1 Kings 11:42–43Rank 4 from verse 1
42And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
42And the †time that Solomon reigned in Ierusalem, ouer all Israel, was *fourtie yeeres.
43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the citie of Dauid his father: and *Rehoboam his sonne reigned in his stead.
- 2 Chronicles 10:17–19Rank 5 from verse 1
17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
19And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
17But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Iudah, Rehoboam reigned ouer them.
18Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was ouer the tribute, and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died: but king Rehoboam †made speed to get him vp to his charet, to flee to Ierusalem.
19And Israel rebelled against the house of Dauid vnto this day.
- 2 Chronicles 9:30Rank 6 from verse 1
- 2 Peter 2:5Rank 7 from verse 1
- Isaiah 61:1Rank 8 from verse 1
1THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
1¶ *The Spirit of the LORD God is vpon me, because the LORD hath anointed me, to preach good tidings vnto the meeke, hee hath sent me to binde vp the broken hearted, to proclaime libertie to the captiues, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound:
- Nehemiah 6:7Rank 9 from verse 1
7And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
7And thou hast also appointed Prophets to preach of thee at Ierusalem, saying, There is a King in Iudah. And now shall it be reported to the king, according to these wordes. Come now therefore, and let vs take counsell together.
- Psalms 40:9Rank 10 from verse 1
From verse 2
- Psalms 144:4Rank 1 from verse 2
- Romans 8:20Rank 2 from verse 2
- Ecclesiastes 5:10Rank 3 from verse 2
- Psalms 39:5–6Rank 4 from verse 2
5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
5†*Behold, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily euery man at his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.
6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
- Ecclesiastes 12:8Rank 5 from verse 2
- Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 6 from verse 2
26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
26†*For God giueth to a man that is good in his sight, wisedome, and knowledge, and ioy: but to the sinner hee giueth traueile, to gather and to heape vp that he may giue to him that is good before God: This also is vanitie and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 7 from verse 2
11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.
- Ecclesiastes 2:17Rank 8 from verse 2
- Ecclesiastes 2:19Rank 9 from verse 2
19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
19*And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a foole? yet shall he haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue laboured, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the Sunne. This is also vanitie.
- Ecclesiastes 2:23Rank 10 from verse 2
- Ecclesiastes 11:10Rank 11 from verse 2
- Ecclesiastes 2:15Rank 12 from verse 2
15Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity.
15†Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the foole, so it happeneth euen to me, and why was I then more wise? then I said in my heart, That this also is vanitie.
- Ecclesiastes 2:21Rank 13 from verse 2
21For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
21†For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.
- Ecclesiastes 3:19Rank 14 from verse 2
19For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
19*For that which befalleth the sonnes of men, befalleth beastes, euen one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea they haue all one breath, so that a man hath no preheminence aboue a beast; for all is vanitie.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4Rank 15 from verse 2
4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8Rank 16 from verse 2
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.
- Ecclesiastes 6:11Rank 17 from verse 2
- Psalms 62:9–10Rank 18 from verse 2
9Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
10Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
9‖Surely men of low degree are vanitie, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the ballance, they are altogether lighter then vanitie.
10Trust not in oppression, become not vaine in robberie: if riches increase, set not your heart vpon them.
- Ecclesiastes 11:8Rank 19 from verse 2
8But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
8But if a man liue many yeeres, and reioyce in them all; yet let him remember the dayes of darkenesse, for they shall be many. All that commeth is vanitie.
- Ecclesiastes 4:16Rank 20 from verse 2
16There is no end of all the people, even of all that have been before them: they also that come after shall not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and vexation of spirit.
16 There is no end of all the people, euen of all that haue beene before them: they also that come after, shall not reioyce in him: surely this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
From verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 3:9Rank 1 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 2:22Rank 2 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 5:16Rank 3 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 4 from verse 3
11Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.
- Mark 8:36–37Rank 5 from verse 3
27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
27‖Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth vnto euerlasting life, which the Sonne of man shall giue vnto you: *for him hath God the Father sealed.
- Proverbs 23:4–5Rank 7 from verse 3
4Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.
5Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
4*Labour not to bee rich: cease from thine owne wisedome.
5†Wilt thou set thine eyes vpon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselues wings, they fly away as an Eagle toward heauen.
- Ecclesiastes 2:19Rank 8 from verse 3
19And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.
19*And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a foole? yet shall he haue rule ouer all my labour, wherein I haue laboured, and wherein I haue shewed my selfe wise vnder the Sunne. This is also vanitie.
- Isaiah 55:2Rank 9 from verse 3
2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
2†Wherefore doe yee spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently vnto me, and eate ye that which is good, and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse.
- Matthew 16:26Rank 10 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 8:15–17Rank 11 from verse 3
15Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
15*Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the busines that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)
17Then I behelde all the worke of God, that a man cannot finde out the worke that is done vnder the Sunne: because though a man labour to seeke it out, yea further though a wise man thinke to know it, yet shall hee not be able to finde it.
- Habakkuk 2:13Rank 12 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 4:3Rank 13 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 5:18Rank 14 from verse 3
18¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.
18¶ *††Behold that which I haue seene: It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his labour that he taketh vnder the sunne, all the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for it is his portion.
- Ecclesiastes 6:12Rank 15 from verse 3
12For 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?
12†*For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shal be after him vnder the sunne?
- Ecclesiastes 7:11Rank 16 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 9:13Rank 17 from verse 3
- Ecclesiastes 9:3Rank 18 from verse 3
3This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
3This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one euent vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they goe to the dead.
- Ecclesiastes 9:6Rank 19 from verse 3
6Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
6Also their loue, and their hatred, and their enuy is now perished; neither haue they any more a portion for euer in any thing that is done vnder the Sunne.
- Ecclesiastes 4:7Rank 20 from verse 3
- Habakkuk 2:18Rank 21 from verse 3
18¶ What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
18¶ *†What profiteth the grauen image, that the maker thereof hath grauen it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his worke, trusteth therin, to make dumbe idoles.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:1
Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
One who publicly proclaims or teaches a message.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
A sovereign ruler; one exercising royal authority over a kingdom.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Empty or worthless things. 2. Idols or deceptive objects of trust.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
One who publicly proclaims or teaches a message.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 1:3
Sense 1: Benefit or advantage. Sense 2: To benefit, improve, or advance.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Third-person singular present form of take: receives, seizes, carries, accepts, chooses, or lays hold of.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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Surrounding Verses
Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.
1THE words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
1¶ The wordes of the Preacher, the son of Dauid, King in Ierusalem.
Selected passage2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
2*Uanitie of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.
Selected passage3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
3*What profite hath a man of all his labour which hee taketh vnder the Sunne?
Selected passage4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
4 One generation passeth away, and another generation commeth: *but the earth abideth for euer.