Ecclesiastes 3:1-17 in English

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ 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;

⁸ 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 wherein he laboreth?

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

¹¹ He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity 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 nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

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

¹⁴ I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.

¹ To all things there is a time, and a season for every matter under heaven.

² A time of birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

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

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to lament, and a time to dance;

⁵ a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to abstain from embracing;

⁶ 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 be silent, and a time to speak;

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

⁹ What advantage has he that works in those things wherein he labours?

¹⁰ I have seen all the trouble, which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.

¹¹ All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: he has also set the whole world in their heart, that man might not find out the work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

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

¹³ Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, and see good in all his labour, this is a gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatsoever things God has done, they shall be for ever: it is impossible to add to it, and it is impossible to take away from it: and God has done it, that men may fear before him.

¹⁵ That which has been is now; and whatever things are appointed to be have already been; and God will seek out that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, there was the ungodly one; and the place of righteousness, there was the godly one.

¹⁷ And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: for there is a time there for every action and for every work.

¹ 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ A time to get, 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;

⁸ 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?

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

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his 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.

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

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it 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 doeth 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.

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.

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.

¹ 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ A time to get, 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;

⁸ 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?

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

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his 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.

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

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it 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 doeth 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.

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.

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.

¹ To all things there is a time, and a season for every matter under heaven.

² A time of birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

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

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to lament, and a time to dance;

⁵ a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to abstain from embracing;

⁶ 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 be silent, and a time to speak;

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

⁹ What advantage has he that works in those things wherein he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen all the trouble, which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.

¹¹ All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: he has also set the whole world in their heart, that man might not find out the work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

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

¹³ Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, and see good in all his labor, this is a gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever things God has done, they shall be for ever: it is impossible to add to it, and it is impossible to take away from it: and God has done it, that men may fear before him.

¹⁵ That which has been is now; and whatever things are appointed to be have already been; and God will seek out that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, there was the ungodly one; and the place of righteousness, there was the godly one.

¹⁷ And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: for there is a time there for every action and for every work.

¹ 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ 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;

⁸ 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 wherein he laboureth?

¹⁰ I have seen the travail 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, 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 nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, 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.

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.

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.

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.

¹ There is a right/correct time for everything, a time for everything that we do in this world.

² There is a time to be born, and there is a time to die. There is a time to plant seeds, and there is a time to harvest crops.

³ There is a time to kill people, and there is a time to heal people. There is a time to tear things down, and there is a time to build things.

⁴ There is a time to cry, and there is a time to laugh. There is a time to mourn, and there is a time to dance joyfully.

⁵ There is a time to throw away stones from a field, and there is a time to gather stones to build walls/houses. There is a time to embrace people, and there is a time to not embrace people.

⁶ There is a time to search for things, and there is a time to stop searching for things. There is a time to keep/save things, and there is a time to throw things away.

⁷ There is a time to tear our old clothes, and there is a time to mend clothes. There is a time to say nothing, and there is a time when we should speak.

⁸ There is a time when we should love things that people do, and there is a time when we should hate things that people do. There is a time for war, and there is a time for peace.

⁹ ◄What do people gain from all the work that they do?/It seems that people gain very little from all the work that they do RHQ►.

¹⁰ I have seen the work that God has given people to do.

¹¹ God has appointed a time that is right/correct for everything to happen. He has also caused people to realize that there are things that will endure forever. But in spite of that, no one can completely understand everything that God has done, from the time that he starts doing things until he finishes them.

¹² I know that the best LIT thing for us people to do is to rejoice and to do good things all during the time that we are alive.

¹³ And I also know that everyone should eat and drink, and enjoy the work that they do. Those are things that God gives to us.

¹⁴ I also know that what God does endures forever. No one can add to what God does, and no one can take away from the things that God does. God does those things in order that people would revere him.

¹⁵ Things that exist now have already existed previously, and things that will happen in the future have already happened previously; God causes the same things to happen many times.

¹⁶ Furthermore, I saw that on this earth MTY, even in the courts where we expect judges to make right decisions about what people had done, they did many wicked DOU things.

¹⁷ So I said to myself SYN, “God will judge both righteous people and wicked people; there is a time for him to do that, because there is a time for him to do everything.”

¹ To all things there is a time, and a season for every matter under heaven.

² A time of birth, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

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

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to lament, and a time to dance;

⁵ a time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to abstain from embracing;

⁶ 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 be silent, and a time to speak;

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

⁹ What advantage has he that works in those things wherein he labours?

¹⁰ I have seen all the trouble, which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.

¹¹ All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: he has also set the whole world in their heart, that man might not find out the work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

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

¹³ Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, and see good in all his labour, this is a gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever things God has done, they shall be for ever: it is impossible to add to it, and it is impossible to take away from it: and God has done it, that men may fear before him.

¹⁵ That which has been is now; and whatever things are appointed to be have already been; and God will seek out that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgement, there was the ungodly one; and the place of righteousness, there was the godly one.

¹⁷ And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: for there is a time there for every action and for every work.

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labours?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun.

² A time for birth and a time for death; a time for planting and a time for uprooting;

³ A time to put to death and a time to make well; a time for pulling down and a time for building up;

⁴ A time for weeping and a time for laughing; a time for sorrow and a time for dancing;

⁵ A time to take stones away and a time to get stones together; a time for kissing and a time to keep from kissing;

⁶ A time for search and a time for loss; a time to keep and a time to give away;

⁷ A time for undoing and a time for stitching; a time for keeping quiet and a time for talk;

⁸ A time for love and a time for hate; a time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What profit has the worker in the work which he does?

¹⁰ I saw the work which God has put on the sons of man.

¹¹ He has made everything right in its time; but he has made their hearts without knowledge, so that man is unable to see the works of God, from the first to the last.

¹² I am certain that there is nothing better for a man than to be glad, and to do good while life is in him.

¹³ And for every man to take food and drink, and have joy in all his work, is a reward from God.

¹⁴ I am certain that whatever God does will be for ever. No addition may be made to it, nothing may be taken from it; and God has done it so that man may be in fear before him.

¹⁵ Whatever is has been before, and what is to be is now; because God makes search for the things which are past.

¹⁶ And again, I saw under the sun, in the place of the judges, that evil was there; and in the place of righteousness, that evil was there.

¹⁷ I said in my heart, God will be judge of the good and of the bad; because a time for every purpose and for every work has been fixed by him.

¹ To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens:

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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ 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;

⁸ 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 from that wherein he laboureth?

¹⁰ I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men to toil in.

¹¹ He hath made everything beautiful in its time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that man findeth not out from the beginning to the end the work that God doeth.

¹² I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;

¹³ yea also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, it is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it, nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God bringeth back again that which is past.

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

¹ All things have their season, and in their times all things pass 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.

³ A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.

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

⁵ A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.

⁶ A time to get, 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.

⁸ A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.

⁹ What hath man more of his labour?

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

¹¹ He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.

¹² And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.

¹³ For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared.

¹⁵ That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.

¹⁶ I saw under the sun in the place of judgment wickedness, and in the place of justice iniquity.

¹⁷ And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing.

¹ Everything has its own time—a time for all that happens here:

² A time of birth, and a time of death. A time of planting, and a time of harvest.

³ A time of killing, and a time of healing. A time of tearing down, and a time of building up.

⁴ A time of crying, and a time of laughing. A time of mourning, and a time of dancing.

⁵ A time of throwing away stones, and a time of gathering up stones. A time of embracing, and a time of avoiding embracing.

⁶ A time of searching, and a time of giving up searching. A time of keeping, and a time of throwing away.

⁷ A time of tearing, and a time of mending. A time of keeping quiet, a time of speaking up.

⁸ A time of loving, and a time of hating. A time of warfare, and a time of peace.

⁹ So what do you get for all your hard work?

¹⁰ I have examined what God gives us to do.

¹¹ Everything God does is beautifully timed, and even though he has also placed the idea of eternity in our minds, we can't fully understand what God does from beginning to end.

¹² I concluded that there's nothing better than being happy and looking for the good in life.

¹³ In addition everyone should eat and drink and enjoy their work—this is God's gift to us.

¹⁴ I also concluded that everything God does lasts forever: nothing can be added to it or taken away from it. God acts in this way so that people may stand in awe of him.

¹⁵ Whatever was, is; and whatever will be, has been, and God examines the whole of time.

¹⁶ I also observed that here on earth there was evil even in the place where there was supposed to be justice; even where things were meant to be right, there was evil.

¹⁷ But then I thought to myself, “Ultimately God will judge both those who do right and those who do wrong, and every deed and action, at the appointed time.”

¹ To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen.

² A time to bee borne, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to plucke vp that which is planted.

³ A time to slay, and a time to heale: a time to breake downe, and a time to builde.

⁴ A time to weepe, and a time to laugh: a time to mourne, 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 be farre from embracing.

⁶ A time to seeke, and a time to lose: a time to keepe, and a time to cast away.

⁷ A time to rent, and a time to sowe: a time to keepe silence, and a time to speake.

⁸ A time to loue, and a time to hate: a time of warre, and a time of peace.

⁹ What profite hath hee that worketh of the thing wherein he trauaileth?

¹⁰ I haue seene the trauaile that God hath giuen to ye sonnes of men to humble them thereby.

¹¹ He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also he hath set the worlde in their heart, yet can not man finde out the worke that God hath wrought from the beginning euen to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing good in them, but to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.

¹³ And also that euery man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commoditie of all his labour. this is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I knowe that whatsoeuer God shall doe, it shalbe for euer: to it can no man adde, and from it can none diminish: for God hath done it, that they should feare before him.

¹⁵ What is that that hath bene? that is nowe: and that that shalbe, hath now bene: for God requireth that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreouer I haue seene vnder the sunne the place of iudgement, where was wickednesse, and the place of iustice where was iniquitie.

¹⁷ I thought in mine heart, God wil iudge the iust and the wicked: for time is there for euery purpose and for euery worke.

¹ 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ 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;

⁸ 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 he laboureth?

¹⁰ 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, 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 nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live.

¹³ 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, 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 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, 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: 'The righteous and the wicked God will judge; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.'

¹ 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ A time to get, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ A time to rent, 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.

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

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

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his 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.

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

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it 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 doeth 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.

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.

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.

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

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;

³ 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;

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;

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

⁷ 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

¹ To all things there is a time, And a season for every matter under heaven.

² A time of birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what has been planted;

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

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

⁵ A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to abstain from embracing;

⁶ 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 be silent, and a time to speak;

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

⁹ What advantage has he that works in those things wherein he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen all the trouble, Which God has given to the sons of men to be troubled with.

¹¹ All the things which he has made are beautiful in his time: He has also set the whole world in their heart, That man might not find out The work which God has wrought from the beginning even to the end.

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

¹³ Also in the case of every man who shall eat and drink, And see good in all his labor, This is a gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatsoever things God has done, They shall be forever: It is impossible to add to it, And it is impossible to take away from it: And God has done it, that men may fear before him.

¹⁵ That which has been is now; And whatever things are appointed to be have already been; And God will seek out that which is past.

¹⁶ And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, There was the ungodly one; And the place of righteousness, There was the godly one.

¹⁷ And I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the ungodly: For there is a time there for every action And for every work.

¹ 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 what is planted.

³ 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.

⁵ 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.

⁷ 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.—

⁹ What profit hath he who laboreth from that with which he wearieth himself?

¹⁰ I have seen the business which God hath given to the sons of men to exercise themselves therewith.

¹¹ 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 a man than that he should rejoice and enjoy good his life long.

¹³ But when a man eateth and drinketh, and enjoyeth good through all his labor, this is the gift of God.

¹⁴ 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, was long ago; and that which is to be, hath already been; and God recalleth that which is past.

¹⁶ Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice there was iniquity; and in the place of righteousness, iniquity.

¹⁷ 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.

¹ For everything there is an appointed time, and a season for every purpose under heaven.

² There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pull up plants,

³ a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build up.

⁴ There is 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 stones, a time to embrace other people, and a time to refrain from embracing.

⁶ There is a time to look for things and a time to stop looking, a time to keep things and a time to throw away things,

⁷ a time to tear clothing and a time to repair clothing, a time to keep silent and a time to speak.

⁸ There is a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

⁹ What profit does the worker gain in his labor?

¹⁰ I have seen the work that God has given to human beings to complete.

¹¹ God has made everything suitable for its own time. He has also placed eternity in their hearts. But mankind cannot understand the deeds that God has done, from their beginning all the way to their end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for anyone than to rejoice and to do good so long as he lives—

¹³ and that everyone should eat and drink, and should understand how to enjoy the good that comes from all his work. This is a gift from God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does lasts forever. Nothing can be added to it or taken away, because it is God who has done it so that people will approach him with honor.

¹⁵ Whatever exists has already existed; whatever will exist has already existed. God makes human beings seek hidden things.

¹⁶ I have seen the wickedness that is under the sun, where there should be justice, and in place of righteousness, wickedness was there.

¹⁷ I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked at the right time for every matter and every deed.”

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labours?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ 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;

³ 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;

⁵ A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; 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;

⁷ 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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose 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;

³ 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;

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;

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

⁷ a time to tear, 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.

⁹ What profit has he who works in that in which he labours?

¹⁰ I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.

¹¹ He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.

¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.

¹³ Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.

¹⁵ That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago. God seeks again that which is passed away.

¹⁶ 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.”

¹ All things have time, and all things under the sun pass by their spaces.

² Time of birth, and time of dying; time to plant, and time to draw up that that is planted.

³ Time to slay, and time to make whole; time to destroy, and time to build.

⁴ Time to weep, and time to laugh; time to bewail, and time to dance.

⁵ Time to scatter stones, and time to gather together; time to embrace, and time to be far from embracings, or embraces.

⁶ Time to get, and time to lose; time to keep, and time to cast away.

⁷ Time to cut, and time to sew together; time to be still, and time to speak.

⁸ Time to love, and time of hatred; time of battle, and time of peace.

⁹ What hath a man more of his travail?

¹⁰ I saw the torment, which God gave to the sons of men, that they be occupied therein.

¹¹ God made all things good in their time, and gave the world to disputing of them, that a man find not the work that God hath wrought from the beginning unto the end.

¹² And I knew that nothing was better to a man, but to be glad, and to do good works in his life.

¹³ For why each man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his travail; this is the gift of God.

¹⁴ I have learned that all the works, that God made, last steadfastly unto without end; we may not add anything to those works, neither take away from those things, which God made, that he be dreaded.

¹⁵ That thing that is made, dwelleth perfectly; those things that shall come, were before; and God restoreth that, that is gone.

¹⁶ I saw under the sun unfaithfulness in the place of doom; and wickedness in the place of rightfulness.

¹⁷ And I said in mine heart, The Lord shall deem a just or rightwise man, and an unfaithful man; and the time of each thing shall be then.

¹ All things have time, and all things under the sun pass by their spaces. (All things have a time, and all things under the sun pass forth in their places.)

² Time of birth, and time of dying; time to plant, and time to draw up that that is planted. (Time to be born, and time to die; time to plant, and time to draw up what is planted.)

³ Time to slay, and time to make whole, (or Time to kill, and time to heal); time to destroy, and time to build.

⁴ Time to weep, and time to laugh; time to bewail, and time to dance.

⁵ Time to scatter stones, and time to gather (them) together; time to embrace, and time to be far from embracings, or embraces.

⁶ Time to get, and time to lose; time to keep, and time to cast away. (Time to get, and time to set free; time to keep, and time to throw away.)

⁷ Time to cut, and time to sew together; time to be still, and time to speak, (or time to be silent, and time to speak).

⁸ Time to love, and time of hatred; time of battle, and time of peace. (Time to love, and time to hate; time to fight, and time to make peace.)

⁹ What hath a man more of his travail? (What more hath a person for all of his labour?)

¹⁰ I saw the torment, which God gave to the sons of men, that they be occupied therein. (I saw the torment, which God gave to the sons and daughters of men, and with which they be occupied.)

¹¹ God made all things good in their time, and gave the world to disputing of them, that a man find not (out) the work that God hath wrought from the beginning unto the end. (God made all things good in their time, and let the world dispute over them, but no one shall understand the work that God hath wrought from the beginning unto the end.)

¹² And I knew that nothing was better to a man, but to be glad, and to do good works in his life. (And so I know that there is nothing better for a person, but to be happy, and to do good works in his life.)

¹³ For why each man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his travail; this is the gift of God. (For each person who eateth, and drinketh, and seeth the good that cometh from all of his labour; yea, this is the gift of God.)

¹⁴ I have learned that all the works, that God made, last steadfastly unto without end; we may not add anything to those works, neither take away from those things, which God made, that he be dreaded, (or which God made, so that he be feared or so that he be revered).

¹⁵ That thing that is made, dwelleth perfectly; those things that shall come, were before; and God restoreth that, that is gone, (or and God restoreth what is gone).

¹⁶ I saw under the sun unfaithfulness in the place of doom; and wickedness in the place of rightfulness. (I saw under the sun unfaithfulness in place of judgement, or of justice; and wickedness in place of righteousness, or of uprightness.)

¹⁷ And I said in mine heart, The Lord shall deem a just man, and an unfaithful man; and the time of each thing shall be then. (And I said in my heart, The Lord shall judge the righteous, and the unfaithful; and then shall be the proper time for each thing.)

¹ To everything — a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:

² A time to bring forth, And a time to die. A time to plant, And a time to eradicate the planted.

³ A time to slay, 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 skip.

⁵ A time to cast away stones, And a time to heap up stones. A time to embrace, And a time to be far from embracing.

⁶ A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.

⁷ A time to rend, And a time to sew. A time to be silent, And a time to speak.

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

⁹ What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring at?

¹⁰ I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.

¹¹ The whole He hath made beautiful in its season; also, that knowledge He hath put in their heart without which man findeth not out the work that God hath done from the beginning even unto the end.

¹² I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,

¹³ yea, even every man who eateth and hath drunk and seen good by all his labour, it is a gift of God.

¹⁴ I have known that all that God doth is to the age, to it nothing is to be added, and from it nothing is to be withdrawn; and God hath wrought that they do fear before Him.

¹⁵ What is that which hath been? already it is, and that which is to be hath already been, and God requireth that which is pursued.

¹⁶ And again, I have seen under the sun the place of judgment — there is the wicked; and the place of righteousness — there is the wicked.

¹⁷ I said in my heart, 'The righteous and the wicked doth God judge, for a time is to every matter and for every work there.'