Surely men of low degree [are] vanity,
[and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are]
altogether [lighter] than vanity.
BSB
Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor.
WEB
Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
YLT
Only—vanity are the low, a lie the high. In balances to go up they than vanity are lighter.
F.O.G Original
–
F.O.G
–
F.O.G MSG
⁹Surely the lowborn are but a breathᵇ,
the highborn are but a lieᶜ.
If weighed on a balance,
they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
Footnotes:
⁹ᵇ Breath: The Hebrew “hevel” means vapor or vanity, emphasizing the temporary and insubstantial nature of human life apart from God.
⁹ᶜ Lie: Even those of high social standing are ultimately deceptive in their promise of security—only God provides true stability and worth.