(A)All things come alike to all:

One event happens to the righteous and the wicked;
To the [a]good, the clean, and the unclean;
To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good, so is the sinner;
He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.

This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

For the living know that they will die;
But (B)the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For (C)the memory of them is forgotten.
Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.

Go, (D)eat your bread with joy,
And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works.
Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.

[b]Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; (E)for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.

10 (F)Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your (G)might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:2 LXX, Syr., Vg. good and bad,
  2. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Lit. See life

Bible Gateway Recommends