Ecclesiastes 3:12-18
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 3
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; 13moreover, that every person who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it. And God has so worked, that people will fear Him. 15That which is, is what has already been, and that which will be has already been; and God seeks what has passed by.
16Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
17I said to myself, 'God will judge the righteous and the wicked,' for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.
18I said to myself regarding the sons of mankind, 'God is testing them in order for them to see that they are as animals, they to themselves.'
King James Version
Chapter 3
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 3
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. 13It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts. 14I know that everything God does will last forever; there is no adding to it or taking from it. God works so that people will be in awe of him. 15Whatever is, has already been, and whatever will be, already is. However, God seeks justice for the persecuted.
16I also observed under the sun: there is wickedness at the place of judgment and there is wickedness at the place of righteousness.
17I said to myself, "God will judge the righteous and the wicked, since there is a time for every activity and every work."
18I said to myself, "This happens so that God may test the children of Adam and they may see for themselves that they are like animals."
New Living Translation
Chapter 3
12So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. 13And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.
14And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.
15What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.
English Standard Version
Chapter 3
12I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil — this is God 's gift to man.
14I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.
15That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.
16Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.
17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.
18I said in my heart with regard to the children of man that God is testing them that they may see that they themselves are but beasts.
New International Version
Chapter 3
12I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.New King James Version
