Ecclesiastes 9:4-10
English Standard Version
4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but (A)the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for (B)the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Enjoy Life with the One You Love
7 Go, (C)eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 (D)Let your garments be always white. Let not (E)oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your (F)vain[a] life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your (G)portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, (H)do it with your might,[b] (I)for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Ecclesiastes 9:9 The Hebrew term hebel can refer to a “vapor” or “mere breath” (see note on 1:2)
- Ecclesiastes 9:10 Or finds to do with your might, do it
Ecclesiastes 9:4-10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
4 But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost.(A) 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun.(B)
7 Go, eat your bread with enjoyment and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has long ago approved what you do.(C) 8 Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head.(D) 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun,[a] because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.(E) 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.(F)
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 9.9 Cn: Heb sun, all the days of your vanity
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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.