Ecclesiastes 1:4 “Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.”

Ecclesiastes 1:4

Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

World English Bible

One generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.

American Standard Version

One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth for ever.

Geneva Bible 1599

One generation passeth, and another generation succeedeth: but the earth remaineth for euer.

Darby Translation

[One] generation passeth away, and [another] generation cometh, but the earth standeth for ever.

Young's Literal Translation

A generation is going, and a generation is coming, and the earth to the age is standing.

Bible in Basic English

One generation goes and another comes; but the earth is for ever.

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Cross references

“One generation”

Ecclesiastes 6:12 Zechariah 1:5 Genesis 5:3–31 Genesis 11:20–32 Genesis 36:9–19 Genesis 47:9

Ecclesiastes 6:12 · BSB

For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun?

Zechariah 1:5 · BSB

Where are your fathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever?

Genesis 5:3–31 · BSB

When Adam was 130 years old, he had a son in his own likeness, after his own image; and he named him Seth.

Genesis 11:20–32 · BSB

When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug.

Genesis 36:9–19 · BSB

This is the account of Esau, the father of the Edomites, in the area of Mount Seir.

Genesis 47:9 · BSB

“My travels have lasted 130 years,” Jacob replied. “My years have been few and hard, and they have not matched the years of the travels of my fathers.”

“but”

Psalm 104:5 Matthew 24:35 Psalm 102:24–28 2 Peter 3:10–13 Psalm 119:90 Psalm 119:91

Psalm 104:5 · BSB

He set the earth on its foundations, never to be moved.

Matthew 24:35 · BSB

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.

Psalm 102:24–28 · BSB

I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations.

2 Peter 3:10–13 · BSB

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Psalm 119:90 · BSB

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.

Psalm 119:91 · BSB

Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

3What does a man gain from all his labor, at which he toils under the sun?

5The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises.

Read Ecclesiastes 1