Ecclesiastes 8:10-14

Expanded Bible

¹⁰ I saw ·the funerals of evil people [^Lthe wicked buried and departed] who used to go in and out of the holy place [^Cthe Temple]. They were ·honored [praised] in the same towns where they had done evil. This is useless [1:2], too [^Cit is not fair that the wicked thrive in life and are praised after they die].

¹¹ When ·evil people are not punished [^Lthe sentence for an evil deed is not carried out] right away, ·it makes others want to do evil, too [^Lthe human heart is filled with evildoing]. ¹² Though a sinner might do a hundred evil things and ·might live a long time [^Ltheir days are lengthened], I know it will be better for those who ·honor God [^Lfear God because they fear him]. ¹³ I also know it will not go well for evil people, because they do not ·honor [fear] God. Like a shadow, ·they will not last [^Ltheir days will not be lengthened]. ¹⁴ Sometimes something useless [1:2] happens on earth. ·Bad things happen to good people [^LThere are righteous people who are treated as if they did wicked deeds], and ·good things happen to bad people [^Lwicked people who are treated as if they did righteous deeds]. I say that this is also useless [1:2].