Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. New Living Translation So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. English Standard Version I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; Berean Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, King James Bible I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. New King James Version I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, New American Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; NASB 1995 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; NASB 1977 I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; Legacy Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to do good in one’s lifetime; Amplified Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live; Christian Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. Holman Christian Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. American Standard Version I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. Contemporary English Version I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, English Revised Version I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. GOD'S WORD® Translation I realize that there's nothing better for them to do than to be cheerful and enjoy what is good in their lives. Good News Translation So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. International Standard Version I have concluded that the only worthwhile thing for them is to take pleasure in doing good in life; Majority Standard Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, NET Bible I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, New Heart English Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. Webster's Bible Translation I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. World English Bible I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life, Young's Literal Translation I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life, Smith's Literal Translation I knew that no good is in them, but to rejoice and to do good in his life. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life. Catholic Public Domain Version And I realize that there is nothing better than to rejoice, and to do well in this life. New American Bible I recognized that there is nothing better than to rejoice and to do well during life. New Revised Standard Version I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI know that there is no good in worldly things, but for men to rejoice and to do good in their lives. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I have known that there is no good in them but to gladden and do what is good in their lives OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to get pleasure so long as they live. Brenton Septuagint Translation I know that there is no good in them, except for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context God's Works Remain Forever…11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. 12I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his labor—this is the gift of God.… Cross References Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice at all times. / Pray without ceasing. / Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 37:3-4 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 128:1-2 A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways! / For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. Proverbs 15:13 A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit. John 15:11 I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Psalm 118:24 This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. Nehemiah 8:10 Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. Isaiah 65:18-19 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. / I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. 1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with an inexpressible and glorious joy, Treasury of Scripture I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. but Ecclesiastes 3:22 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? Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works… Deuteronomy 28:63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. Jump to Previous Better Enjoy Except Glad Good Happy Live One's Pleasure Rejoice ThemselvesJump to Next Better Enjoy Except Glad Good Happy Live One's Pleasure Rejoice ThemselvesEcclesiastes 3 1. by the necessary change of times, vanity is added to human travail11. is an excellence in God's works 16. as for man, God shall judge his works hereafter, though here he be like a beast I know that there is nothing better for them This phrase reflects the wisdom literature's emphasis on the pursuit of meaning and fulfillment in life. The author, traditionally identified as Solomon, speaks from a perspective of experience and observation. The phrase suggests a conclusion drawn from a life of exploration and reflection. In the broader context of Ecclesiastes, this statement acknowledges the limitations of human understanding and the futility of earthly pursuits without divine perspective. It echoes the sentiment found in Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, where the enjoyment of life is seen as a gift from God. than to rejoice and do good while they live Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He reflects on the meaning of life and the pursuit of happiness. 2. Israel The context of Ecclesiastes is set within the nation of Israel, where Solomon reigned as king. The cultural and religious backdrop of Israel influences the themes of the book. 3. The Preacher (Qoheleth) The speaker in Ecclesiastes, often identified with Solomon, who explores the purpose and value of human endeavors. Teaching Points The Pursuit of JoyTrue joy is found in recognizing God's sovereignty and goodness in our lives. As believers, we are called to rejoice in the blessings and opportunities God provides. The Call to Do Good Our lives should be marked by acts of kindness and goodness. This reflects God's character and serves as a testimony to others. Contentment in God's Provision Understanding that there is "nothing better" than to rejoice and do good encourages us to find contentment in God's provision and purpose for our lives. Living with Purpose Ecclesiastes challenges us to live intentionally, making the most of our time by aligning our actions with God's will. Eternal Perspective While life is fleeting, our actions have eternal significance. Doing good and rejoicing in God prepares us for eternity.(12) I know.--Literally, I knew: i.e., I came to know. The writer is relating the conclusions at which he successively arrived. To do good.--This phrase is always used elsewhere in a moral sense: "to act rightly." When enjoyment is meant, the phrase used is, as in the next verse, "to see good;" but the context seems to require that this sense should be given to the phrase in this verse also. Verse 12. - I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice; rather, I knew, perceived, that there was no good for them; i.e. for men. From the facts adduced, Koheleth learned this practical result - that man had nothing in his own power (see on Ecclesiastes 2:24) which would conduce to his happiness, but to make the best of life such as he finds it. Vulgate, Cognovi quod non esset melius nisi laetari. To do good in his life; Τοῦ ποιεῖν ἀγαθόν; (Septuagint); Facere bene (Vulgate). This has been taken by many in the sense of "doing one's self good, prospering, enjoying one's self." like the Greek εϋ πράττειν, and therefore nearly equivalent to "rejoice" in the former part of the verse. But the expression is best taken here, as when it occurs elsewhere (e.g. Ecclesiastes 7:20), in a moral sense, and it thus teaches the great truth that virtue is essential to happiness, that to "trust in the Lord... to depart from evil, and to do good" (Psalm 36:3, 27), will bring peace and content (see in the epilogue, Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14). There is no Epicureanism in this verse; the enjoyment spoken of is not licentiousness, but a happy appreciation of the innocent pleasures which the love of God offers to those who live in accordance with the laws of their higher nature.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew I knowיָדַ֕עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know that כִּ֛י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction there is nothing אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle better ט֖וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good for [men] than כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction to rejoice לִשְׂמ֔וֹחַ (liś·mō·w·aḥ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome and do וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (wə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make good ט֖וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good while they live, בְּחַיָּֽיו׃ (bə·ḥay·yāw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life Links Ecclesiastes 3:12 NIVEcclesiastes 3:12 NLT Ecclesiastes 3:12 ESV Ecclesiastes 3:12 NASB Ecclesiastes 3:12 KJV Ecclesiastes 3:12 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 3:12 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 3:12 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 3:12 French Bible Ecclesiastes 3:12 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better (Ecclesiast. 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