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

[a]For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil. [b]Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun. 10 Whatsoever thy hand [c]findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.

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Footnotes

  1. Ecclesiastes 9:4 Another reading is, For who is exempted? With all etc., or who can choose? With all etc.
  2. Ecclesiastes 9:9 Or, Enjoy (Hebrew See) life
  3. Ecclesiastes 9:10 Or, attaineth to do by they strength, that do