Ecclesiastes 2:18-3:8
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
18 I hated all my toil in which I had toiled under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to my successor,(A) 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or foolish? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned and gave my heart up to despair concerning all the toil of my labors under the sun,(B) 21 because sometimes one who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave all to be enjoyed by another who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.(C) 22 What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which they toil under the sun?(D) 23 For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.(E)
24 There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink and find enjoyment in their toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God,(F) 25 for apart from him[a] who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he gives the work of gathering and heaping, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.(G)
Everything Has Its Time
3 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:(H)
2 a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;(I)
3 a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to break down and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;(J)
5 a time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing;(K)
6 a time to seek and a time to lose;
a time to keep and a time to throw away;
7 a time to tear and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent and a time to speak;(L)
8 a time to love and a time to hate;
a time for war and a time for peace.(M)
Footnotes
- 2.25 Gk Syr: Heb apart from me
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.