vain
What does the Bible say about vain? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
17 passages · most helpful first
1A Canticle in steps: of Solomon. Unless the Lord has built the house, those who build it have labored in vain. Unless the Lord has guarded the city, he who guards it watches in vain.
13Grant us help from tribulation. For salvation from man is empty.
30Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
2Ecclesiastes said: Vanity of vanities! Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity!
58And so, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and unmovable, abounding always in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not useless in the Lord.
7And when praying, do not choose many words, as the pagans do. For they think that by their excess of words they might be heeded.
30I have struck your children to no effect; they have not accepted discipline. Your own sword has devoured your prophets. Your generation is like a raging lion.
7So then, truly man passes by like an image; even so, he is disquieted in vain. He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things.
13You should no longer offer sacrifice in vain. Incense is an abomination to me. The new moons and the Sabbaths and the other feast days, I will not receive. Your gatherings are iniquitous.
20And again: “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
3Let nothing be done by contention, nor in vain glory. Instead, in humility, let each of you esteem others to be better than himself.
11But when I turned myself toward all the works that my hands had made, and to the labors in which I had perspired to no purpose, I saw emptiness and affliction of the soul in all things, and that nothing is permanent under the sun.
2The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, against the Lord and against his Christ:
8See to it that no one deceives you through philosophy and empty falsehoods, as found in the traditions of men, in accord with the influences of the world, and not in accord with Christ.
19I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth. I have not said to the offspring of Jacob, “Seek me in vain.” I am the Lord, who speaks justice, who announces what is right.
5Or do you think that Scripture says in vain: “The spirit which lives within you desires unto envy?”
7For Egypt will offer assistance, but without purpose or success. Therefore, concerning this, I cried out: “It is only arrogance! Remain calm.”