Ecclesiastes 3

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

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the 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 that which 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 break 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; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, 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 of war, and a time of peace.

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

9 What profit hath he that worketh in that in which he laboreth?

What profit hath he that worketh in that he laboureth?

10 I have seen the labor, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

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

11 He hath made every [thing] beautiful in its time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

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.

12 I know that [there is] no good in them, but for [a man] to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.

13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labor, it [is] the gift of God.

But also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy pleasure for all his labour, is the gift of God.

14 I know that, whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be added to it, nor any thing taken from it; and God hath so made it, that men should fear before Him.

15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

That which is hath been long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God seeketh that which is pursued.

16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, [that] wickedness [was] there; and the place of righteousness, [that] iniquity [was] there.

And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.

17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked: for [there is] a time there for every purpose and for every work.

I said in my heart: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.'

18 I said in my heart concerning the state of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

I said in my heart: 'It is because of the sons of men, that God may sift them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as 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; yes, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no pre-eminence above a beast: for all [is] vanity.

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; so that man hath no pre-eminence above a beast; for all is vanity.

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

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all return to dust.

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

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

22 Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

Wherefore I perceived that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?