'Futility' in the Bible
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher.“Absolute futility. Everything is futile.”
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too was futility.
Then I said to myself, “As it happens to the fool, so death will also happen to me. What use is it then for me to be extremely wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This too is vanity (meaningless).”
So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.
And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity (futility, self-conceit).
For there is a man who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, yet gives his legacy to one who has not labored for it. This too is vanity and a great evil.
For all his days his work is painful and sorrowful; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is vanity (worthless).
For the [earthly] fate of the sons of men and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no preeminence or advantage for man [in and of himself] over an animal, for all is vanity.
There was a certain man—without a dependent, having neither a child nor a brother, yet there was no end to all his labor. Indeed, his eyes were not satisfied with riches and he never asked, “For whom do I labor and deprive myself of pleasure?” This too is vanity (a wisp of smoke, self-conceit); yes, it is a painful effort and an unhappy task.
For many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.
He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its gain. This too is vanity (emptiness).
a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires, yet God has not given him the power or capacity to enjoy them [all those things which are gifts from God], but a stranger [in whom he has no interest succeeds him and] enjoys them. This is vanity and it is a [cause of] great distress.
For he comes in futility and he goes in darkness, and his name is shrouded in darkness.
What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.
For when there are many words, they increase futility. What is the advantage for man?
For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot,So is the laughter of the fool;And this too is futility.
I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness.
So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility.
There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.
Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given you under the sun—all the days of vanity and futility. For this is your reward in life and in your work in which you have labored under the sun.
Yes, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. All that is to come will be futility.
“Absolute futility,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile.”