36 Bible Verses about Vanity

For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up;

Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

Remind them of these things, charging them in the presence of God, that they do not argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

I hate those who regard lying vanities, but I trust in the LORD.

But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols. it is but a stock.

For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up;

They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them.

Everyone who makes an engraved image is vain. The things that they delight in will not profit. Their own witnesses do not see, nor know, that they may be disappointed. Who has fashioned a god, or molds an image that is profitable for nothing?

It was so, because the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, and walked in the statutes of the nations, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they made. The children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against the LORD their God: and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city; read more.
and they set them up pillars and Asherim on every high hill, and under every green tree; and there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the nations whom the LORD carried away before them; and they worked wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger; and they served idols, of which the LORD had said to them, "You shall not do this thing." Yet the LORD testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer, saying, "Turn from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets." Notwithstanding, they would not listen, but hardened their neck, like the neck of their fathers, who did not believe in the LORD their God. They rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified to them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and followed the nations that were around them, concerning whom the LORD had commanded them that they should not do like them. They forsook all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made an Asherah, and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. They caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, practiced divination and sorcery, and sold themselves to do that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only. Also Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made. The LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight. For he tore Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drove Israel from following the LORD, and made them sin a great sin. The children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them; until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away out of their own land to Assyria to this day.

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; for emptiness shall be his reward.

Therefore thus says the LORD: "Ask now among the nations, who has heard such things; the virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. Shall the snow of Lebanon fail from the rock of the field? Shall the cold waters that flow down from afar be dried up? For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up; read more.
to make their land an astonishment, and a perpetual hissing; everyone who passes thereby shall be astonished, and shake his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity."

Timothy, guard that which is committed to you, turning away from the empty chatter and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;

but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

But shun empty chatter, for they will proceed further in ungodliness,

Remind them of these things, charging them in the presence of God, that they do not argue about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear.

from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm.

For to the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner he gives travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.

There is one who is alone, and he has neither son nor brother. There is no end to all of his labor, neither are his eyes satisfied with wealth. For whom then, do I labor, and deprive my soul of enjoyment? This also is vanity, yes, it is a miserable business.

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of your servant, David, said, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts; who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. So they are without excuse. read more.
Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.

Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.

Our eyes still fail, looking in vain for our help. In our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;

For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good that the heart be established by grace, not by food, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.

For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spends like a shadow? For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?

I loathe my life. I do not want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

"Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

"Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of Shaddai? They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. read more.
If he passes by, or confines, or convenes a court, then who can oppose him? For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it. An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

But do you want to know, foolish man, that faith apart from works is useless? Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;

When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain."

Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror.

who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of your servant, David, said, 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or give him thanks, but their thinking became nonsense, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

And in praying, do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

Bring no more vain offerings. Incense is an abomination to me; new moons, Sabbaths, and convocations: I can't bear with evil assemblies.

What is Shaddai, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'

You have said, 'It is vain to serve God;' and 'What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel; He said to them, "Set your heart to all the words which I testify to you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing you shall prolong your days in the land, where you go over the Jordan to possess it."

And again, "The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless."

For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, with knowledge, and with skillfulness; yet he shall leave it for his portion to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Then said I in my heart, "As it happens to the fool, so will it happen even to me; and why was I then more wise?" Then said I in my heart that this also is vanity.

What is Shaddai, that we should serve him? What profit should we have, if we pray to him?'

You have said, 'It is vain to serve God;' and 'What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.

Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.

If he comes to see me, he speaks falsehood. His heart gathers iniquity to itself. When he goes abroad, he tells it.

When you cry, let those who you have gathered deliver you; but the wind shall take them, a breath shall carry them all away: but he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain."

Therefore he consumed their days in vanity, and their years in terror.

They have sown wheat, and have reaped thorns; they have put themselves to pain, and profit nothing: and you shall be ashamed of your fruits, because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;

If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, and put away evil from your flesh; for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

"Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,

I searched in my heart how to cheer my flesh with wine, my heart yet guiding me with wisdom, and how to lay hold of folly, until I might see what it was good for the sons of men that they should do under heaven all the days of their lives.

Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity.

"Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."

a man to whom God gives riches, wealth, and honor, so that he lacks nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him no power to eat of it, but a foreigner eats it. This is vanity, and it is an evil disease.

"LORD, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, 'Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope read more.
that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

"Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.

Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding.

Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams,' says the LORD, 'and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I did not send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all,' says the LORD.

SAMEKH. I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.

He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.

For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who barely escape from those who live in error;

Thus says the LORD, "What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Then I saw all the labor and achievement that is the envy of a man's neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope

Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.

I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

SAMEKH. I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.

Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.

If anyone thinks himself to be religious while he does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man's religion is worthless.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?

"LORD, my strength, and my stronghold, and my refuge in the day of affliction, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth, and shall say, 'Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, vanity and things in which there is no profit.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.

An empty-headed man becomes wise when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn't consider it.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will Shaddai regard it.

I will declare your righteousness; and as for your works, they shall not profit you.

I made myself great works. I built myself houses. I planted myself vineyards. I made myself gardens and parks, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruit. I made myself pools of water, to water from it the forest where trees were reared. read more.
I bought male servants and female servants, and had servants born in my house. I also had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all who were before me in Jerusalem; I also gathered silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men?musical instruments, and that of all sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me. Whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor, and this was my portion from all my labor. Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind, and there was no profit under the sun.

Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; for emptiness shall be his reward.

For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who barely escape from those who live in error;

If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.

Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.

When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Thus says the LORD, "What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?

He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.

Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.

He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.

Behold, you trust in lying words, that can't profit.

It was shown to you so that you might know that the LORD is God. There is no one else besides him.

I have not sat with deceitful men, neither will I go in with hypocrites.

He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.

You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah.

I said in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure;" and behold, this also was vanity.