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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)

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Footnotes

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

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