Ecclesiastes 6:9

In 11 translations

BSB

Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.

KJV

¶ Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit.than…: Heb. than the walking of the soul

WEB

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

ASV

Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

LSV

Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This [is] also vanity and distress of spirit.

YLT

Better [is] the sight of the eyes than the going of the soul. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit.

DBY

Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.

DRC

Better it is to see what thou mayst desire, than to desire that which thou canst not know. But this also is vanity, and presumption of spirit.

GNV

The sight of ye eye is better then to walke in ye lustes: this also is vanitie, and vexation of spirit.

JPS

Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire; this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

LXXE

The sight of the eyes is better than that which wanders in soul: this is also vanity, and waywardness of spirit.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

ט֛וֹב מַרְאֵ֥ה עֵינַ֖יִם מֵֽהֲלָךְ־נָ֑פֶשׁ גַּם־זֶ֥ה הֶ֖בֶל וּרְע֥וּת רֽוּחַ׃

LXX-Br

Ἀγαθὸν ὅραμα ὀφθαλμῶν ὑπερπορευόμενον ψυχῇ· καί γε τοῦτο ματαιότης καὶ προαίρεσις πνεύματος.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Ecclesiastes 1:14I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
• Job 31:7If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,
• Ecclesiastes 4:4I saw that all labor and success spring from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
• Ecclesiastes 3:12–13I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.
• Ecclesiastes 5:18Here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of life that God has given him—for this is his lot.
• Ecclesiastes 11:9Rejoice, O young man, while you are young, and let your heart be glad in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you to…
• Ecclesiastes 2:11Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
• Ecclesiastes 1:2“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”
• Ecclesiastes 2:22–24For what does a man get for all the toil and striving with which he labors under the sun? Indeed, all his days are filled with grief, and his task is sorrowful; even at night, his mind does not rest. This too is…
• Jeremiah 2:20“For long ago you broke your yoke and tore off your chains, saying, ‘I will not serve!’ Indeed, on every high hill and under every green tree you lay down as a prostitute.
• Ecclesiastes 6:2God gives a man riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing his heart desires; but God does not allow him to enjoy them. Instead, a stranger will enjoy them. This is futile and a grievous affliction.
• Proverbs 30:15–16The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).