Ecclesiastes 1:2

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all [is] vanity.
- King James Version

"Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.""
- New American Standard Version (1995)

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
- American Standard Version (1901)

All is to no purpose, said the Preacher, all the ways of man are to no purpose.
- Basic English Bible

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity.
- Darby Bible

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
- Webster's Bible

Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
- World English Bible

Vanity of vanities, said the Preacher, Vanity of vanities: the whole [is] vanity.
- Youngs Literal Bible

Vanity of vanities, saith Koheleth; vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Ecclesiastes 1:2

1:2 Vanity - Not only vain, but vanity in the abstract, which denotes extreme vanity. Saith - Upon deep consideration and long experience, and by Divine inspiration. This verse contains the general proposition, which he intends particularly to demonstrate in the following book. All - All worldly things. Is vanity - Not in themselves for they are God's creatures and therefore good in their kinds, but in reference to that happiness, which men seek and expect to find in them. So they are unquestionably vain, because they are not what they seem to be, and perform not what they promise, but instead of that are the occasions of innumerable cares, and fears, and sorrows, and mischiefs. Nay, they are not only vanity but vanity of vanities, the vainest vanity, vanity in the highest degree. And this is redoubled, because the thing is certain, beyond all possibility of dispute.