10 So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are (A)soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility. 11 Because the (B)sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore (C)the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. 12 Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may (D)lengthen his life, still I know that it will be (E)well for those who fear God, who fear [a]Him openly. 13 But it will (F)not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a (G)shadow, because he does not fear God.

14 There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are (H)righteous men to whom it [b]happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are (I)evil men to whom it [c]happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. 15 So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for (J)a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his [d]toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:12 Lit before Him
  2. Ecclesiastes 8:14 Lit strikes
  3. Ecclesiastes 8:14 Lit strikes
  4. Ecclesiastes 8:15 Lit labor

10 Then too, I saw the wicked buried(A)—those who used to come and go from the holy place and receive praise[a] in the city where they did this. This too is meaningless.

11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong. 12 Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better(B) with those who fear God,(C) who are reverent before him.(D) 13 Yet because the wicked do not fear God,(E) it will not go well with them, and their days(F) will not lengthen like a shadow.

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.(G) This too, I say, is meaningless.(H) 15 So I commend the enjoyment of life(I), because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink(J) and be glad.(K) Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 8:10 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint (Aquila); most Hebrew manuscripts and are forgotten