40 Powerful Bible Verses About Vanity

Vanity is often described as excessive pride in one’s appearance, achievements, or status. But beyond outward beauty or pride, the Bible reveals that vanity points to the futility of chasing things that don’t last; riches, fame, or selfish pursuits. Whether you’re searching for spiritual clarity or reflecting on the direction of your life, these bible verses about vanity can guide your heart back to what truly matters.

In this post, we will cover 40 powerful scriptures on vanity and examine examples of vanity in the Bible. These verses will help you reflect, repent, and refocus on God’s eternal truth.

What Does the Bible Say About Vanity?

The Bible frequently speaks about vanity, not just in terms of outward appearance, but in reference to meaningless pursuits, prideful attitudes, and self-centered living. Vanity in Scripture is often linked to futility, boasting, or the pursuit of things that have no lasting value.

King Solomon, known for his wisdom, wrote extensively about vanity in the book of Ecclesiastes, calling many earthly pursuits “vanity of vanities.” These biblical insights challenge us to consider what we value and where we place our hope.

Examples of Vanity in the Bible

Understanding vanity isn’t just about reading scriptures; it helps to look at examples of vanity in the Bible where individuals chose self over God.

1. King Solomon: Despite being the wisest man on earth, Solomon allowed vanity to influence his life. In Ecclesiastes, he reflects on his pursuit of wealth, knowledge, and pleasure, concluding that all is “vanity and a chasing after the wind.”

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” – Ecclesiastes 1:2 (ESV)

2. King Nebuchadnezzar: Nebuchadnezzar’s pride and vanity led to his downfall. He boasted about his kingdom, attributing its glory to himself rather than God, and was humbled dramatically as a result.

“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power…?” – Daniel 4:30 (ESV)

3. Pharisees: In the New Testament, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for their outward show of religion while lacking inward righteousness. Their actions were often rooted in vanity, seeking the praise of men rather than the approval of God.

“They do all their deeds to be seen by others.” – Matthew 23:5 (ESV)

4. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9): People came together to build a tower to “make a name for ourselves.” Their vanity led to their scattering and confusion.

5. The Rich Fool (Luke 12:16–21): Jesus told a parable about a man who built bigger barns to store his wealth but died that night. He pursued material success, not realizing the vanity of earthly riches without spiritual preparation.

These examples of vanity in the Bible serve as warnings for us today, encouraging humility, obedience, and spiritual focus.

40 Powerful Bible Verses About Vanity

Here are 40 bible verses about vanity for you:

Ecclesiastes 1:2 (KJV) “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV) “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV) “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
1 John 2:16 (NIV) “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Psalm 39:5 (ESV) “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 (NIV) “Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.”
Psalm 94:11 (KJV) “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”
Isaiah 40:6-7 (NLT) “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field… the grass withers and the flowers fall.”
Romans 8:20 (KJV) “For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope.”
Jeremiah 9:23 (ESV) “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.”
Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
Galatians 6:3 (NIV) “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
James 4:14 (KJV) “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour…”
Isaiah 2:22 (NIV) “Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?”
Psalm 144:4 (NLT) “For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.”
Ecclesiastes 6:2 (KJV) “A man to whom God hath given riches… yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof… this is vanity.”
Mark 8:36 (NIV) “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”
Isaiah 29:13 (ESV) “This people draw near with their mouth… but their hearts are far from me.”
Philippians 2:3 (KJV) “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind…”
Ecclesiastes 4:4 (NIV) “I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless…”
Job 15:31 (NLT) “Let them no longer trust in empty riches. They are only fooling themselves, for emptiness will be their only reward.”
Psalm 62:9 (KJV) “Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie…”
Isaiah 57:13 (ESV) “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind will carry them off…”
Titus 3:9 (NIV) “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments… because these are unprofitable and useless.”
Proverbs 13:7 (NIV) “One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.”
Jeremiah 10:3 (KJV) “For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest…”
Colossians 2:8 (NIV) “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy…”
Ecclesiastes 2:26 (ESV) “For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy…”
2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV) “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud…”
1 Peter 1:24 (NIV) “All people are like grass… the grass withers and the flowers fall.”
Psalm 119:37 (ESV) “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
Matthew 23:5 (NLT) “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes…”
Ecclesiastes 7:6 (NIV) “Like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is meaningless.”
Isaiah 5:21 (KJV) “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!”
Luke 16:15 (NIV) “What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.”
Proverbs 11:28 (ESV) “Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
James 1:11 (NIV) “For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed…”
1 Corinthians 3:20 (KJV) “The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
Ecclesiastes 8:10 (NIV) “Then too, I saw the wicked buried—those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise in the city…”
Romans 1:21 (KJV) “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God… but became vain in their imaginations…”

Conclusion

These bible verses about vanity remind us that life centered on self or worldly achievements is ultimately empty. God’s Word encourages us to pursue humility, eternal truth, and a heart aligned with His will. By reflecting on these Scriptures and the examples of vanity in the Bible, we are invited to examine our lives, turn from meaningless pursuits, and seek fulfillment in Christ alone.

Let these verses guide your prayers, actions, and values, pointing you to what truly matters. Keep them close as a daily reminder that our worth and purpose come not from appearances or achievements but from walking with God.