Ecclesiastes 3:13-18 in English

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.

¹⁸ I said in my 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.

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, concerning the speech of the sons of man, God will judge them, and that to shew that they are beasts.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, concerning the speech of the sons of man, God will judge them, and that to show that they are breasts.

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.

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.

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.”

¹⁸ And regarding humans, I also said to myself, “God is testing us, to show us that in one way people are no different than animals,

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, concerning the speech of the sons of man, God will judge them, and that to show that they are breasts.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, so that God may put them to the test and that they may see themselves as beasts.

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, It is thus with the children of men, that God may prove them, and that they should see that they themselves are but beasts.

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts.

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.”

¹⁸ I also thought to myself, “Regarding what happens to human beings—God proves to us that we're no better than animals.”

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.

¹⁸ I considered in mine heart the state of the children of men that God had purged them: yet to see to, they are in themselues as beastes.

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.'

¹⁸ 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.'

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

¹⁸ I said in my heart, Concerning the speech of the sons of man, God will judge them, And that to show that they are beasts.

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.

¹⁸ 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.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “God tests human beings to show them that they are like animals.”

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.

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.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.”

¹⁸ I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.

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.

¹⁸ I said in mine heart of the sons of men, that God should prove them, and show that they be like beasts.

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.)

¹⁸ I said in mine heart of the sons (and daughters) of men, that God should prove them, and show (them) that they be like beasts.

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.'

¹⁸ I said in my heart concerning the matter of the sons of man that God might cleanse them, so as to see that they themselves are beasts.