Ecclesiastes 3:8-22 in English

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.

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.

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.

²⁰ All go unto one place; all are of 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?

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?

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.

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.

¹⁹ Also to them is the event of the sons of man, and the event of the brute; one event befalls them: as is the death of the one, so also the death of the other; and there is one breath to all: and what has the man more than the brute? nothing; for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go to one place; all were formed of the dust, and all will return to dust.

²¹ And who has seen the spirit of the sons of man, whether it goes upward? and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?

²² And I saw that there was no good, but that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, for it is his portion, for who shall bring him to see any thing of that which shall be after him?

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.

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.

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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

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

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

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.

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.

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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

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

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

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.

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.

¹⁹ Also to them is the event of the sons of man, and the event of the brute; one event befalls them: as is the death of the one, so also the death of the other; and there is one breath to all: and what has the man more than the brute? nothing; for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go to one place; all were formed of the dust, and all will return to dust.

²¹ And who has seen the spirit of the sons of man, whether it goes upward? and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?

²² And I saw that there was no good, but that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, for it is his portion, for who shall bring him to see any thing of that which shall be after him?

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.

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.

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.

²⁰ All go unto one place; all are of 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?

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?

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.”

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,

¹⁹ because what happens to people happens to animals. Animals die, and people die. We all must breathe to remain alive. With regard to that, people have no advantage over animals, so I have a difficult time understanding that.

²⁰ People and animals all die and are buried. We are all made of soil, and when we die, our corpses become soil again.

²¹ No one knows RHQ for sure that when we die, our souls/spirits go up to heaven and the souls/spirits of animals go down to the place where the dead are.”

²² So I concluded that the best thing for us people to do is to be happy about the work that we do, because that is what God has given to us. I say that because no one of us RHQ knows what happens to us after we die.

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.

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.

¹⁹ Also to them is the event of the sons of man, and the event of the brute; one event befalls them: as is the death of the one, so also the death of the other; and there is one breath to all: and what has the man more than the brute? nothing; for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go to one place; all were formed of the dust, and all will return to dust.

²¹ And who has seen the spirit of the sons of man, whether it goes upward? and the spirit of the beast, whether it goes downward to the earth?

²² And I saw that there was no good, but that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, for it is his portion, for who shall bring him to see any thing of that which shall be after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.

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.

¹⁹ Because the fate of the sons of men and the fate of the beasts is the same. As is the death of one so is the death of the other, and all have one spirit. Man is not higher than the beasts; because all is to no purpose.

²⁰ All go to one place, all are of the dust, and all will be turned to dust again.

²¹ Who is certain that the spirit of the sons of men goes up to heaven, or that the spirit of the beasts goes down to the earth?

²² So I saw that there is nothing better than for a man to have joy in his work — because that is his reward. Who will make him see what will come after him?

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.

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.

¹⁹ For what befalleth the children of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other, and they have all one breath; and man hath no pre-eminence above the beast: for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all return to dust.

²¹ Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?

²² And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

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.

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

¹⁹ Therefore the death of man, and of beasts is one, and the condition of them both is equal: as man dieth, so they also die: all things breathe alike, and man hath nothing more than beast: all things are subject to vanity.

²⁰ And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together.

²¹ Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward?

²² And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him?

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.”

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

¹⁹ For what happens to human beings is the same as what happens to animals—in the same way one dies, the other dies too. They all have the breath of life—so regarding any advantage human beings have over animals, there is none. Definitely this is very hard to understand!

²⁰ They all end up in the same place—they all came from dust, and they all return to dust.

²¹ Who really knows whether the breath of life of human beings goes up above, and the breath of life of animals goes down below to the earth?

²² So I concluded that there's nothing better than for people to enjoy their work. This is what we are meant to do. For who can bring anyone back from the dead to show them what will happen after they die?

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.

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.

¹⁹ For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are euen as one condition vnto them. As the one dyeth, so dyeth the other: for they haue all one breath, and there is no excellency of man aboue ye beast: for all is vanitie.

²⁰ All goe to one place, and all was of the dust, and all shall returne to the dust.

²¹ Who knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend vpward, and the spirit of the beast descend downeward to the earth?

²² Therefore I see that there is nothing better then that a man shoulde reioyce in his affaires, because that is his portion. For who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?

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.'

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.'

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; so that 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 return to dust.

²¹ 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 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?

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.

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.

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; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

¹⁹ Also to them is the event of the sons of man, And the event of the brute; One event befalls them: As is the death of the one, so also the death of the other; And there is one breath to all: And what has the man more than the brute? Nothing; for all is vanity.

²⁰ All go to one place; All were formed of the dust, And all will return to dust.

²¹ And who has seen the spirit of the sons of man, Whether it goes upward? And the spirit of the beast, Whether it goes downward to the earth?

²² And I saw that there was no good, But that wherein a man shall rejoice in his works, For it is his portion, For who shall bring him to see anything of that which shall be after him?

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.

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.

¹⁹ 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 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 a beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?

²² 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?

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.”

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

¹⁹ For the fate of the children of mankind and the fate of animals is the same fate for them. The death of one is like the death of the other. The breath is the same for all of them. There is no advantage for mankind over the animals. For is not everything just a breath?

²⁰ Everything is going to the same place. Everything comes from the dust, and everything returns to the dust.

²¹ Who knows whether the spirit of mankind goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward into the earth?

²² So again I realized that there is nothing better for anyone than to take pleasure in his work, for that is his assignment. Who can bring him back to see what happens after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.”

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.

¹⁹ For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals, for all is vanity.

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

²¹ Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”

²² Therefore I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his works, for that is his portion; for who can bring him to see what will be after him?

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.

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

¹⁹ Therefore one is the perishing of man and of beasts, and even condition is of ever either; as a man dieth, so and those beasts die; all those breathe in like manner, and a man hath nothing more than a beast. All things be subject to vanity,

²⁰ and all things go to one place; those be made of earth, and those turn again altogether into earth.

²¹ Who knoweth, if the spirits of the sons of Adam goeth upward, and if the spirits of beasts goeth downward?

²² And I perceived that nothing is better, than that a man be glad in his work, and that this be his part; for who shall bring him, that he know things that shall come after him?

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.)

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.

¹⁹ Therefore one is the perishing of man and of beasts, and even condition is of ever either; as a man dieth, so and those beasts die; all those breathe in like manner, and a man hath nothing more than a beast. All things be subject to vanity, (And so the perishing of people and of beasts is one and the same, and the condition of both of them is equal, or even; for as a person dieth, so do those beasts die; they all breathe in like manner, and a person hath nothing more than a beast. Everything is empty and futile,)

²⁰ and all things go to one place; those be made of earth, and those turn again (al)together into earth. (and all things go to one place; they all be made of dust, or of dirt, and they shall all return to the dust, or to the dirt.)

²¹ Who knoweth, if the spirits of the sons of Adam goeth upward, and if the spirit(s) of beasts goeth downward? (Yet who knoweth, if the spirits of the sons and daughters of Adam go upward to heaven, and if the spirits of the beasts go downward into the ground? I do not know.)

²² And I perceived that nothing is better, than that a man be glad in his work, and that this be his part; for who shall bring (to) him, that he know things that shall come after him? (And I perceived that nothing is better, than that a person be happy in his work, and that this be his portion; for who shall bring him the knowledge, so that he know what shall come after him?)

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.'

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.

¹⁹ For an event is to the sons of man, and an event is to the beasts, even one event is to them; as the death of this, so is the death of that; and one spirit is to all, and the advantage of man above the beast is nothing, for the whole is vanity.

²⁰ The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back unto the dust.

²¹ Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of man that is going up on high, and the spirit of the beast that is going down below to the earth?

²² And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works, for it is his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after him?