Ecclesiastes 3

1 For every thing there is a season; and a [proper] time is for every pursuit under the heavens.

For every thing there is a fixed period, and an appointed time to every thing under heaven: —

2 [There is] a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what hath been planted;

A time to be born, and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to breaking down, and a time to build up.

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.

5 A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather up stones; a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embracing;

A time to cast stones asunder, and a time to gather stones together. A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.

6 A time to seek, and a time to let things be lost; a time to keep, and a time to throw away;

A time to seek, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

A time to love, and a time to hate. A time of war, and a time of peace.—

9 What profit hath [now] he that worketh in that wherein he toileth?

What profit hath he who laboreth from that with which he wearieth himself?

10 I have seen the employment, which God hath given to the sons of men to busy themselves therewith.

I have seen the business which God hath given to the sons of men to exercise themselves therewith.

11 Every thing hath he made beautiful in its [proper] time: he hath also placed the eternity in their heart, without a man's being able to find out the work that God hath made from the beginning to the end.

God maketh every thing good in its time; but he hath put the world into the heart of man, so that he understandeth not the work which God doeth, from the beginning to the end.

12 I know that there is nothing good [inherent] in them, but for every one to rejoice and to do what is good during [all] his life.

I know that there is nothing better for a man than that he should rejoice and enjoy good his life long.

13 For also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy what is good for all his toil, is likewise a gift of God.

But when a man eateth and drinketh, and enjoyeth good through all his labor, this is the gift of God.

14 I know that whatsoever God doth, that will be for ever; to it nothing can be added, and from it there is nothing to be diminished: and God hath so made it, that men should be afraid of him.

I know that whatever God doeth, that shall be for ever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it; and God doeth it that men may fear before him.

15 That which hath been hath long since appeared [again]; and what is to be hath already been; and God seeketh [again] that which is sped away.

That which is, was long ago; and that which is to be, hath already been; and God recalleth that which is past.

16 And moreover I have seen under the sun, [that in] the place of justice, even there was wickedness; and [that in] the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness.

Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was iniquity; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity.

17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time for every pursuit; and on account of every deed there [will he judge].

Then said I in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked.” For there shall be a time for every matter and for every work.

18 I said in my heart concerning the speaking of the sons of men, that God might make it clear to them, and that they might see that they by themselves are but beasts.

I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God will prove them, in order that they may see that they are like the beasts.

19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even the same thing befalleth them; as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one kind of spirit: so that the preeminence of man above the beast is nought; for all is vanity.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts: one lot befalleth both. As the one dieth, so dieth the other. Yea, there is one spirit in them, and a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.

20 Every thing goeth unto one place: every thing came from the dust, and every thing returneth to the dust.

All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.

21 Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of man that ascendeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that descendeth downward to the earth?

Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of a beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?

22 And so did I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who can bring him to look with pleasure on what will be after him?

And so I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his labors; for that is his portion. For who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?