Verse Comparison: Ecclesiastes 6:12
American Standard Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in `his' life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
Amplified® Bible
For who [limited to human wisdom] knows what is good for man in his life, all the days of his vain life which he spends as a shadow [going through the motions but accomplishing nothing]? For who can tell a man what will happen [to his work, his treasure, his plans] under the sun after he is gone?
Contemporary English Version
Life is short and meaningless, and it fades away like a shadow. Who knows what is best for us? Who knows what will happen after we are gone?
Darby English Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell man what shall be after him under the sun?
Good News Bible
How can anyone know what is best for us in this short, useless life of ours---a life that passes like a shadow? How can we know what will happen in the world after we die?
King James Version
For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?
New American Standard Bible
For who knows what is good for a man during {his} lifetime, {during} the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will be after him under the sun?
New International Version
For who knows what is good for a man in life, during the few and meaningless days he passes through like a shadow? Who can tell him what will happen under the sun after he is gone?
New King James Version
For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
For who knows what seems good for a man during his lifetime, during the few years of his futile life? He will spend them like a shadow. For who can tell a man what will take place after him under the sun?
Revised Standard Version
For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a
Young's Literal Translation
For who knoweth what `is' good for a man in life, the number of the days of the life of his vanity, and he maketh them as a shadow? for who declareth to man what is after him under the sun?