Ecclesiastes 9:4-10
World English Bible
4 For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten. 6 Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither do they any longer have a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.
7 Go your way—eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works. 8 Let your garments be always white, and don’t let your head lack oil. 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity, for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol,[a] where you are going.
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- 9:10 Sheol is the place of the dead.
Ecclesiastes 9:4-10
New American Standard Bible
4 For whoever is joined to all the living, there is hope; for better a live dog, than a dead lion. 5 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. 6 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.
7 Go then, (D)eat your bread in happiness, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. 8 See that your (E)clothes are white all the time, and that there is no lack of (F)oil on your head. 9 [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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- Ecclesiastes 9:9 Lit See
- Ecclesiastes 9:9 all...your futility not found in some ancient versions
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