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Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
English Standard Version
Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
English Standard Version
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that (A)the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and (B)madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. 4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but (C)the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for (D)the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Enjoy Life with the One You Love
7 Go, (E)eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 (F)Let your garments be always white. Let not (G)oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your (H)vain[a] life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your (I)portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, (J)do it with your might,[b] (K)for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:9 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Or finds to do with your might, do it
Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
New International Version
Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
New International Version
3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all.(A) The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live,(B) and afterward they join the dead.(C) 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope[a]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;(D)
they have no further reward,
and even their name(E) is forgotten.(F)
6 Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.(G)
7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine(H) with a joyful heart,(I) for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white,(J) and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife,(K) whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot(L) in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever(M) your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,(N) for in the realm of the dead,(O) where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.(P)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:4 Or What then is to be chosen? With all who live, there is hope
Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
King James Version
Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
King James Version
3 This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
8 Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
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English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.