Ecclesiastes 6:9–10
9 Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.
The Future—Determined and Unknown
10 Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there’s no use arguing with God about your destiny.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — The New International Version (NIV)
9 Better what the eye sees
than the roving of the appetite.
This too is meaningless,
a chasing after the wind.
10 Whatever exists has already been named,
and what humanity is has been known;
no one can contend
with someone who is stronger.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. 10 That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire.
This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
10 Whatever one is, he has been named already,
For it is known that he is man;
And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — New Century Version (NCV)
9 It is better to see what you have
than to want more.
Wanting more is useless—
like chasing the wind.
10 Whatever happens was planned long ago.
Everyone knows what people are like.
No one can argue with God,
who is stronger than anyone.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — American Standard Version (ASV)
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.
10 Whatsoever hath been, the name thereof was given long ago; and it is known what man is; neither can he contend with him that is mightier than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
9 Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind. 10 That which is hath already been named; and what man is, is known, and that he cannot contend with him that is mightier than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
9 It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. ⸤It’s like⸥ trying to catch the wind.
10 Whatever has happened ⸤in the past⸥ already has a name. Mortals are already known for what they are. Mortals cannot argue with the one who is stronger than they.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
9 Better what the eyes see than wandering desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
10 Whatever exists was given its name long ago, and it is known what man is. But he is not able to contend with the One stronger than he.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire; this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
10 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what human beings are, and that they are not able to dispute with those who are stronger.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
9 Better to be content with what your eyes see
than for your soul to constantly crave more.
This also is vanity and chasing wind!
10 Whatever is—it was already determined,
what will be—it has already been decided.
As for man, he cannot argue
against what is more powerful than him.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
9 Being satisfied with what you have
is better than always wanting more.
That doesn’t have any meaning either.
It’s like chasing the wind.
10 God has already planned what now exists.
He has already decided what man is.
A man can’t argue with the One
who is stronger than he is.
Ecclesiastes 6:9–10 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
9 What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after wind.
10 Whatever exists has already been named, and it is known what man is; for he cannot dispute with him who is stronger than he is.