Ecclesiastes 8:14-17
King James Version
14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15 Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16 When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17 Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Read full chapter
Ecclesiastes 8:14-17
New King James Version
14 There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that there are just men to whom it (A)happens according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the (B)righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 (C)So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.
16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that is done on earth, even though one sees no sleep day or night, 17 then I saw all the work of God, that (D)a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. For though a man labors to discover it, yet he will not find it; moreover, though a wise man attempts to know it, he will not be able to find it.
Read full chapter
Ecclesiastes 8:14-17
English Standard Version
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.
Read full chapterScripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
