Man Cannot Know God's Ways

14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people (A)to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people (B)to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity. 15 And I commend joy, for man (C)has nothing better under the sun but to (D)eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.

16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see (E)the business that is done on earth, how neither (F)day nor night do one's eyes see sleep, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that (G)man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, (H)he cannot find it out.

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14 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve.(A) This too, I say, is meaningless.(B) 15 So I commend the enjoyment of life(C), because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink(D) and be glad.(E) Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

16 When I applied my mind to know wisdom(F) and to observe the labor that is done on earth(G)—people getting no sleep day or night— 17 then I saw all that God has done.(H) No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.(I)

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