English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
1
The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
2
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?
3
What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.
4
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.
5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
5
The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.
6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns.
6
The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.