Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Consider the work of God;
who can make straight what he has made crooked?(A)
14 In the day of prosperity, be joyful, and in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that mortals may not find out anything that comes after them.(B)
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Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
New English Translation
Wisdom Acknowledges God’s Orchestration of Life
13 Consider the work of God:
For who can make straight what he has bent?
14 In times of prosperity[a] be joyful,
but in times of adversity[b] consider this:
God has made one as well as the other,[c]
so that no one can discover what the future holds.[d]
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 tn Heb “the day of good.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 tn Heb “the day of evil.”
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 tn Less probable renderings of this line are “God hath made the one side by side with the other” (ASV) and “God has set the one alongside the other” (NEB).
- Ecclesiastes 7:14 tn Heb “anything after him.” This line is misinterpreted by several versions: “that man may not find against him any just complaint” (Douay); “consequently, man may find no fault with Him” (NJPS); “so that man cannot find fault with him in anything” (NAB).
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