For whoever is joined to all the living, there is hope; for better a live dog, than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but the dead (A)do not know anything, nor do they have a reward any longer, for their (B)memory is forgotten. Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a (C)share in all that is done under the sun.

Go then, (D)eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. See that your (E)clothes are white all the time, and that there is no lack of (F)oil on your head. [a]Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your (G)futile life which He has given you under the sun, [b]all the days of your futility; for this is your (H)reward in life and in your work which you have labored under the sun.

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, (I)do it with all your might; for there is no (J)activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in (K)Sheol where you are going.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Lit See
  2. Ecclesiastes 9:9 all...your futility not found in some ancient versions

Whoever is among the living can be certain about this. A living dog is definitely better off than a dead lion, because the living know that they will die. But the dead know nothing at all. There is no more reward for them; even the memory of them is lost. Their love and their hate, as well as their zeal, are already long gone. They will never again have a stake in all that happens under the sun.

Go, eat your food joyfully and drink your wine happily because God has already accepted what you do. Let your garments always be white; don’t run short of oil for your head. Enjoy life with your dearly loved spouse all the days of your pointless life that God[a] gives you under the sun—all the days of your pointless life![b]—because that’s your part to play[c] in this life and in your hard work under the sun. 10 Whatever you are capable of doing, do with all your might because there’s no work, thought, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave,[d] which is where you are headed.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Or he or that are given you
  2. Ecclesiastes 9:9 This phrase is missing in some LXX sources, Syr, and Tg.
  3. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Or portion
  4. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Or underworld; Heb Sheol