Add parallel Print Page Options

But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 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) 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)

Go, eat your bread with enjoyment and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has long ago approved what you do.(C) Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head.(D) 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 chapter

Footnotes

  1. 9.9 Cn: Heb sun, all the days of your vanity

Death Deprives Humans of Everything in Life

Whoever is joined[a] to all the living has hope. After all, even a live dog is better than a dead lion! For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything. They no longer have a reward, and even the memory of them is forgotten. What they loved and hated, as well as what they desired, has already perished. They no longer have any share in what is done under the sun.

Enjoy Life While It Lasts

Go—eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart! For God already has approved your deeds. Always be clothed in white garments, and never let your head lack oil! Enjoy life with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which he gives you under the sun, because this is your lot in life and in the toil with which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do—do it with all your might; for in Sheol—where you are going—no one works, plans, knows, or thinks about anything.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:4 The Kethib reads “chosen,” but the Qere as well as all the versions and numerous medieval Hebrew manuscripts read “joined”