Ecclesiastes 1 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 1 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
ASV The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
WEB The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
YLT Words of a preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
DRB The words of Ecclesiastes, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.
DBY The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
GNV The wordes of the Preacher, the sonne of Dauid King in Ierusalem.
LSB The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.
Verse 2
KJV Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
ASV Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
WEB “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
YLT Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, Vanity of vanities: the whole <FI>is<Fi> vanity.
DRB Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes: vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.
DBY Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity.
GNV Vanitie of vanities, sayth the Preacher: vanitie of vanities, all is vanitie.
LSB “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”
Verse 3
KJV What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
ASV What profit hath man of all his labor wherein he laboreth under the sun?
WEB What does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
YLT What advantage <FI>is<Fi> to man by all his labour that he laboureth at under the sun?
DRB What hath a man more of all his labour, that he taketh under the sun?
DBY What profit hath man of all his labour wherewith he laboureth under the sun?
GNV What remaineth vnto man in all his trauaile, which he suffereth vnder ye sunne?
LSB What advantage does man have in all his labor In which he labors under the sun?
Verse 4
KJV One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
ASV One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.
WEB One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
YLT A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is standing.
DRB One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth standeth for ever.
DBY [One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever.
GNV One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth for euer.
LSB A generation goes and a generation comes, But the earth stands forever.
Verse 5
KJV The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.
ASV The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.
WEB The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
YLT Also, the sun hath risen, and the sun hath gone in, and unto its place panting it is rising there.
DRB The sun riseth, and goeth down, and returneth to his place: and there rising again,
DBY The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.
GNV The sunne riseth, and ye sunne goeth downe, and draweth to his place, where he riseth.
LSB Also, the sun rises and the sun sets; And hastening to its place it rises there again.
Verse 6
KJV The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.
ASV The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it turneth about continually in its course, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
WEB The wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
YLT Going unto the south, and turning round unto the north, turning round, turning round, the wind is going, and by its circuits the wind hath returned.
DRB Maketh his round by the south, and turneth again to the north: the spirit goeth forward surveying all places round about, and returneth to his circuits.
DBY The wind goeth towards the south, and turneth about towards the north: it turneth about continually, and the wind returneth again to its circuits.
GNV The winde goeth toward the South, and compasseth towarde the North: the winde goeth rounde about, and returneth by his circuites.
LSB Going toward the south, Then circling toward the north, The wind goes circling along; And on its circular courses the wind returns.
Verse 7
KJV All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.
ASV All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
WEB All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
YLT All the streams are going unto the sea, and the sea is not full; unto a place whither the streams are going, thither they are turning back to go.
DRB All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea doth not overflow: unto the place from whence the rivers come, they return, to flow again.
DBY All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full: unto the place whither the rivers go, thither they go again.
GNV All the riuers goe into the sea, yet the sea is not full: for the riuers goe vnto ye place, whence they returne, and goe.
LSB All the rivers go into the sea, Yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers go, There they continually go.
Verse 8
KJV All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
ASV All things are full of weariness; man cannot utter [it]: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
WEB All things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
YLT All these things are wearying; a man is not able to speak, the eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor filled is the ear from hearing.
DRB All things are hard: man cannot explain them by word. The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing.
DBY All things are full of toil; none can express it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
GNV All things are full of labour: man cannot vtter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the eare filled with hearing.
LSB All things are wearisome; Man is not able to speak of it. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor is the ear filled with hearing.
Verse 9
KJV The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
ASV That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
WEB That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
YLT What <FI>is<Fi> that which hath been? it <FI>is<Fi> that which is, and what <FI>is<Fi> that which hath been done? it <FI>is<Fi> that which is done, and there is not an entirely new thing under the sun.
DRB What is it that hath been? the same thing that shall be. What is it that hath been done? the same that shall be done.
DBY That which hath been is that which shall be; and that which hath been done is that which will be done: and there is nothing new under the sun.
GNV What is it that hath bene? that that shalbe: and what is it that hath bene done? that which shalbe done: and there is no newe thing vnder the sunne.
LSB That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.
Verse 10
KJV Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
ASV Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
WEB Is there a thing of which it may be said, “Behold, this is new?” It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
YLT There is a thing of which <FI>one<Fi> saith: `See this, it <FI>is<Fi> new!' already it hath been in the ages that were before us!
DRB Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us.
DBY Is there a thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? It hath been already in the ages which were before us.
GNV Is there any thing, whereof one may say, Beholde this, it is newe? it hath bene already in the olde time that was before vs.
LSB Is there anything of which one might say, “See this, it is new”? Already it has been for ages Which were before us.
Verse 11
KJV There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
ASV There is no remembrance of the former [generations]; neither shall there be any remembrance of the latter [generations] that are to come, among those that shall come after.
WEB There is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
YLT There is not a remembrance of former <FI>generations<Fi> ; and also of the latter that are, there is no remembrance of them with those that are at the last.
DRB There is no remembrance of former things: nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, shall there be any remembrance with them that shall be in the latter end.
DBY There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be remembrance of things that are to come with those who shall live afterwards.
GNV There is no memorie of the former, neither shall there be a remembrance of the latter that shalbe, with them that shall come after.
LSB There is no remembrance of earlier things; And also of the later things which will be, There will be for them no remembrance Among those who will come later still.
Verse 12
KJV I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
ASV I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
WEB I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
YLT I, a preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
DRB I Ecclesiastes was king over Israel in Jerusalem,
DBY I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
GNV I the Preacher haue bene King ouer Israel in Ierusalem:
LSB I, the Preacher, have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.
Verse 13
KJV And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.
ASV And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
WEB I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
YLT And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It <FI>is<Fi> a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
DRB And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun. This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men, to be exercised therein.
DBY And I applied my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens: this grievous occupation hath God given to the children of men to weary themselves therewith.
GNV And I haue giuen mine heart to search and finde out wisdome by all things that are done vnder the heauen: (this sore trauaile hath GOD giuen to the sonnes of men, to humble them thereby)
LSB And I gave my heart to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous endeavor which God has given to the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
Verse 14
KJV I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
ASV I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
WEB I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
YLT I have seen all the works that have been done under the sun, and lo, the whole <FI>is<Fi> vanity and vexation of spirit!
DRB I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
DBY I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
GNV I haue considered all the workes that are done vnder the sunne, and beholde, all is vanitie, and vexation of the spirit.
LSB I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Verse 15
KJV That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
ASV That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
WEB That which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
YLT A crooked thing <FI>one<Fi> is not able to make straight, and a lacking thing is not able to be numbered.
DRB The perverse are hard to be corrected, and the number of fools is infinite.
DBY That which is crooked cannot be made straight; and that which is wanting cannot be numbered.
GNV That which is crooked, can none make straight: and that which faileth, cannot be nombred.
LSB What is bent cannot be straightened, and what is lacking cannot be counted.
Verse 16
KJV I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
ASV I communed with mine own hear, saying, Lo, I have gotten me great wisdom above all that were before me in Jerusalem; yea, my heart hath had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.
WEB I said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
YLT I--I spake with my heart, saying, `I, lo, I have magnified and added wisdom above every one who hath been before me at Jerusalem, and my heart hath seen abundantly wisdom and knowledge.
DRB I have spoken in my heart, saying: Behold I am become great, and have gone beyond all in wisdom, that were before me in Jerusalem: and my mind hath contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned.
DBY I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I have become great and have acquired wisdom more than all they that have been before me over Jerusalem; and my heart hath seen much of wisdom and knowledge.
GNV I thought in mine heart, and said, Behold, I am become great, and excell in wisdome all them that haue bene before me in Ierusalem: and mine heart hath seene much wisedome and knowledge.
LSB I spoke within my heart, saying, “Behold, I have magnified and increased wisdom more than all who were over Jerusalem before me; and my heart has seen an abundance of wisdom and knowledge.”
Verse 17
KJV And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit.
ASV And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also was a striving after wind.
WEB I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
YLT And I give my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I have known that even this <FI>is<Fi> vexation of spirit;
DRB And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,
DBY And I applied my heart to the knowledge of wisdom, and to the knowledge of madness and folly: I perceived that this also is a striving after the wind.
GNV And I gaue mine heart to knowe wisdome and knowledge, madnes and foolishnes: I knew also that this is a vexation of the spirit.
LSB And I gave my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and simpleminded folly; I came to know that this also is striving after wind.
Verse 18
KJV For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
ASV For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
WEB For in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
YLT for, in abundance of wisdom <FI>is<Fi> abundance of sadness, and he who addeth knowledge addeth pain.'
DRB Because in much wisdom there is much indignation: and he that addeth knowledge, addeth also labour.
DBY For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
GNV For in the multitude of wisedome is much griefe: and he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorowe.
LSB Because in much wisdom there is much vexation, and whoever increases knowledge increases pain.