Anyone who is among the living has hope[a]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

For the living know that they will die,
    but the dead know nothing;(A)
they have no further reward,
    and even their name(B) is forgotten.(C)
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.(D)

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine(E) with a joyful heart,(F) for God has already approved what you do. Always be clothed in white,(G) and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife,(H) 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(I) in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever(J) your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,(K) for in the realm of the dead,(L) where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.(M)

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Notas al pie

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:4 Or What then is to be chosen? With all who live, there is hope

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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Notas al pie

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