Ecclesiastes 3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

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

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is 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 cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain 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 lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast 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 for war, and a time for peace.

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

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

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

10 I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.

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

11 He hath made every thing beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even 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 better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

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

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the 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 doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God hath done it, that men should fear before 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 is hath been already; and that which is to be hath already been: and God seeketh again that which is passed 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 saw under the sun, in the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

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 mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

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 mine heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] 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 one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: 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 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

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

21 Who knoweth the spirit of man whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast whether it goeth 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 Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him [back] to see what shall 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?