Ecclesiastes 3:1-17
Legacy Standard Bible
A Time for Everything
3 There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a (A)time for every [a]matter under heaven—
2 A time to give birth and a (B)time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A (C)time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to (D)weep and a time to (E)laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to (F)dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to lose;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to (G)be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to (H)hate;
A time for war and a time for peace.
9 (I)What advantage is there to the worker from that in which he labors? 10 I have seen the (J)endeavor which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
God Set Eternity in the Heart of Man
11 He has (K)made everything [b]beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, [c]yet so that man (L)will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
12 I know that [d]there is (M)nothing better for them than to be glad and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13 moreover, that every man who eats and drinks and sees good in all his labor—it is the (N)gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will be forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it—God has so worked that men should [e](O)fear Him. 15 That (P)which is has been already and that which will be has already been, yet God seeks what is pursued.
16 Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is (Q)wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, “(R)God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a (S)time for every [f]matter and for every work is there.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 3:1 Lit delight
- Ecclesiastes 3:11 Or appropriate
- Ecclesiastes 3:11 Or without which man
- Ecclesiastes 3:12 Lit there is nothing good in man except to be glad
- Ecclesiastes 3:14 Or be in awe before Him
- Ecclesiastes 3:17 Or delight
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