Ecclesiastes 9:3-10
New International Version
3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all.(A) The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live,(B) and afterward they join the dead.(C) 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope[a]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
5 For the living know that they will die,
but the dead know nothing;(D)
they have no further reward,
and even their name(E) is forgotten.(F)
6 Their love, their hate
and their jealousy have long since vanished;
never again will they have a part
in anything that happens under the sun.(G)
7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine(H) with a joyful heart,(I) for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white,(J) and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife,(K) whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun—all your meaningless days. For this is your lot(L) in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever(M) your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,(N) for in the realm of the dead,(O) where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.(P)
Footnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:4 Or What then is to be chosen? With all who live, there is hope
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.