Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
World English Bible
18 I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals. 19 For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals; for all is vanity. 20 All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again. 21 Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”
22 Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?
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Ecclesiastes 3:18-22
English Standard Version
18 I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but (A)beasts. 19 (B)For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.[a] 20 All go to one place. All are from (C)the dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows whether (D)the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? 22 So I saw that there is (E)nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for (F)that is his lot. Who can bring him to see (G)what will be after him?
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- Ecclesiastes 3:19 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
