
Ecclesiastes 9-12 New International Version (NIV)A Common Destiny for All9 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God’s hands, but no one knows whether love or hate awaits them. 2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad,[a] the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, 3 This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. 4 Anyone who is among the living has hope[b]—even a live dog is better off than a dead lion! 5 For the living know that they will die, 7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do. 8 Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. 9 Enjoy life with your wife, 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 in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift 12 Moreover, no one knows when their hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, Wisdom Better Than Folly13 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: 14 There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded. 17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded 10 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, 5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, 8 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; 10 If the ax is dull 11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, 12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, No one knows what is coming— 15 The toil of fools wearies them; 16 Woe to the land whose king was a servant[c] 18 Through laziness, the rafters sag; 19 A feast is made for laughter, 20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, Invest in Many Ventures11 Ship your grain across the sea; 3 If clouds are full of water, 5 As you do not know the path of the wind, 6 Sow your seed in the morning, Remember Your Creator While Young7 Light is sweet, 9 You who are young, be happy while you are young, 12 Remember your Creator 6 Remember him—before the silver cord is severed, 8 “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher.[e] The Conclusion of the Matter9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. 11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails—given by one shepherd.[f] 12 Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. 13 Now all has been heard; Footnotes:
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New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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