Psalm 39:6
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6 Surely everyone goes about like a shadow.
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
they heap up and do not know who will gather.(A)
Luke 12:20-21
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20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’(A) 21 So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”(B)
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Ecclesiastes 2:26
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26 For to the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.(A)
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James 4:14
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14 Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.(A)
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1 Corinthians 7:31
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31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.(A)
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Ecclesiastes 12:13
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13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of everyone.(A)
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Ecclesiastes 5:14
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14 and those riches were lost in a bad venture; though they are parents of children, they have nothing in their hands.
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1 Peter 5:7
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7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.(A)
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Luke 12:29
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29 And do not keep seeking what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying.
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Isaiah 55:2
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2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread
and your earnings for that which does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.(A)
Ecclesiastes 12:8
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8 Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher; all is vanity.
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Ecclesiastes 6:11-12
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11 The more words, the more vanity, so how is one the better? 12 For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?(A)
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Ecclesiastes 4:7-8
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7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 the case of solitary individuals, without sons or brothers; yet there is no end to all their toil, and their eyes are never satisfied with riches. “For whom am I toiling,” they ask, “and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.(A)
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Ecclesiastes 2:17-21
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17 So I hated life because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a chasing after wind.(A)
18 I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to my successor,(B) 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun,(C) 21 because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.(D)
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Ecclesiastes 2:8
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8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and of the provinces; I got singers, both men and women, and delights of the flesh, many concubines.[a](A)
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- 2.8 Meaning of Heb uncertain
Ecclesiastes 1:14
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14 I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun, and see, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.(A)
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Proverbs 13:22
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22 The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children,
but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.(A)
Psalm 127:2
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2 It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil,
for he gives sleep to his beloved.[a](A)
Footnotes
- 127.2 Or for he provides for his beloved during sleep
Psalm 49:10-11
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10 When we look at the wise, they die;
fool and dolt perish together
and leave their wealth to others.(A)
11 Their graves[a] are their homes forever,
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they named lands their own.(B)
Footnotes
- 49.11 Gk Syr Compare Tg: Heb their inward thought
Job 27:16-17
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16 Though they heap up silver like dust
and pile up clothing like clay,(A)
17 they may pile it up, but the just will wear it,
and the innocent will divide the silver.(B)
1 Peter 1:24
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24 For
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,(A)
James 5:3
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3 Your gold and silver have rusted, and their rust will be evidence against you, and it will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure[a] during the last days.
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- 5.3 Or will eat your flesh, since you have stored up fire
Luke 10:40-42
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40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”(A)
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- 10.42 Other ancient authorities read but only one thing is needed
Proverbs 27:24
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
24 for riches do not last forever,
nor a crown for all generations.(A)
Proverbs 23:5
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5 When your eyes light upon it, it is gone,
for suddenly it takes wings to itself,
flying like an eagle toward heaven.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.