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Ecclesiastes 9 :: New English Translation (NET)

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Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:1 - So I reflected on all this, attempting to clear it all up. I concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their works, are in the hand of God; whether a person will be loved or hated - no one knows what lies ahead.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:2 - Everyone shares the same fate - the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the ceremonially clean and unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. What happens to the good person, also happens to the sinner; what happens to those who make vows, also happens to those who are afraid to make vows.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:3 - This is the unfortunate fact about everything that happens on earth: the same fate awaits everyone. In addition to this, the hearts of all people are full of evil, and there is folly in their hearts during their lives - then they die.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:4 - But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:5 - For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward - and even the memory of them disappears.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:6 - What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:7 - Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:8 - Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:9 - Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.

Whatever Your Hand Finds to Do

Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:10 - Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:11 - Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge - for time and chance may overcome them all.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:12 - Surely, no one knows his appointed time! Like fish that are caught in a deadly net, and like birds that are caught in a snare - just like them, all people are ensnared at an unfortunate time that falls upon them suddenly.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:13 - This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me:
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:14 - There was once a small city with a few men in it, and a mighty king attacked it, besieging it and building strong siege works against it.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:15 - However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, and he could have delivered the city by his wisdom, but no one listened to that poor man.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:16 - So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man's wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:17 - The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools.
Unchecked Copy BoxEcc 9:18 - Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good.
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Pericope

Pericope taken from the NASB95 and has been graciously provided by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif.
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