Ecclesiastes 8:7-13
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
7 Indeed, they do not know what is to be, for who can tell them how it will be?(A) 8 No one has power over the wind[a] to restrain the wind[b] or power over the day of death; there is no discharge from the battle, nor does wickedness deliver those who practice it.(B) 9 All this I observed, applying my mind to all that is done under the sun, while one person exercises authority over another to the other’s hurt.(C)
God’s Ways Are Inscrutable
10 Then I saw the wicked approaching to sacrifice;[c] they go in and out of the holy place, and they boast[d] in the city that they have done such things. This also is vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the human heart is fully set to do evil. 12 Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in fear before him,(D) 13 but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days like a shadow, because they do not stand in fear before God.(E)
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Ecclesiastes 8:7-13
Evangelical Heritage Version
7 But no one knows what will be. Indeed, who can tell him what will be?[a] 8 As no one has power to restrain the wind, there is no power over the day of death. No discharge is granted during war, and wickedness will not deliver those who practice it.
Life Is Not Fair
9 All this I saw while I was applying my heart to every work done under the sun, during this time when one man has power over another to harm him.[b] 10 While doing this, I have seen wicked people buried. They had come and gone from the holy place, and they were praised[c] in the city where they had done so! This too is vapor.
11 When the sentence for a crime is not carried out quickly, people’s hearts are emboldened to do evil.
12 Though a sinner commits a hundred crimes and lives for a long time,[d] I nevertheless know that it will turn out well for those who fear God, who stand in awe before him. 13 But it will not be good for the wicked. Such a man will not lengthen his days like a shadow, since he does not stand in fear before God.
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- Ecclesiastes 8:7 Or who can tell him when it will happen
- Ecclesiastes 8:9 Or one man has power over another to his own detriment
- Ecclesiastes 8:10 The translation follows the Greek and some Hebrew manuscripts. Most Hebrew manuscripts read but they were forgotten.
- Ecclesiastes 8:12 Or gets away with it
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.
The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.