Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. New Living Translation Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. English Standard Version Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Berean Standard Bible Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. King James Bible Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. New King James Version Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. New American Standard Bible Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. NASB 1995 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. NASB 1977 Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Legacy Standard Bible Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no working or explaining or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Amplified Bible Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) where you are going. Christian Standard Bible Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. Holman Christian Standard Bible Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. American Standard Version Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest. Contemporary English Version Work hard at whatever you do. You will soon go to the world of the dead, where no one works or thinks or reasons or even knows anything. English Revised Version Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with [all] your might, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you're going. Good News Translation Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead--and that is where you are going. International Standard Version Whatever the activity in which you engage, do it with all your ability, because there is no work, no planning, no learning, and no wisdom in the next world where you're going. Majority Standard Bible Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going. Webster's Bible Translation Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. World English Bible Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAll that your hand finds to do, with your power do, for there is no work, and plan, and knowledge, and wisdom in Sheol to where you are going. Young's Literal Translation All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do, for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in Sheol whither thou art going. Smith's Literal Translation All which thy hand shall find to do, with thy strength, do thou; for no work and understanding and knowledge and wisdom, in hades where thou goest there. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening. Catholic Public Domain Version Whatever your hand is able to do, do it earnestly. For neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge will exist in death, toward which you are hurrying. New American Bible Anything you can turn your hand to, do with what power you have; for there will be no work, no planning, no knowledge, no wisdom in Sheol where you are going. New Revised Standard Version Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhatsoever your hand is able to do, do it with your might; for there is no work nor device nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol whither you are going. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated All that your hand finds to do, do in your power, for there is no work or reasoning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, because you are going there OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Whatsoever thy hand attaineth to do by thy strength, that do; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Brenton Septuagint Translation Whatsoever thine hand shall find to do, do with all thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Hades wither thou goest. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Enjoy Your Portion in This Life…9Enjoy life with your beloved wife all the days of the fleeting life that God has given you under the sun—all your fleeting days. For this is your portion in life and in your labor under the sun. 10Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, for in Sheol, where you are going, there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 11I saw something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong; neither is the bread to the wise, nor the wealth to the intelligent, nor the favor to the skillful. For time and chance happen to all.… Cross References Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, Proverbs 10:4 Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. Proverbs 14:23 There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty. James 4:14 You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. John 9:4 While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. Matthew 25:14-30 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. / To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. / The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. ... Romans 12:11 Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Proverbs 6:6-8 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 For even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “If anyone is unwilling to work, he shall not eat.” / For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives, accomplishing nothing, but being busybodies. / We command and urge such people by our Lord Jesus Christ to begin working quietly to earn their own living. Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor. Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. Treasury of Scripture Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, where you go. thy hand Numbers 13:30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. 1 Chronicles 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 28:20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. for Ecclesiastes 9:5,6 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten… Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be. Job 14:7-12 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease… Jump to Previous Activity Attaineth Dead Device Findeth Finds Goest Grave Hand Planning Power Sheol Strength Thought Whatever Whatsoever Whither Wisdom WorkJump to Next Activity Attaineth Dead Device Findeth Finds Goest Grave Hand Planning Power Sheol Strength Thought Whatever Whatsoever Whither Wisdom WorkEcclesiastes 9 1. like things happen to good and bad4. there is a necessity of death unto men 7. Comfort is all their portion in this life 11. God's providence rules over all 13. wisdom is better than strength Whatever your hand finds to do This phrase emphasizes the importance of engaging in the tasks and responsibilities that are immediately before us. The Hebrew word for "hand" (יָד, yad) often symbolizes power, capability, and action. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the hand was seen as the primary tool for work and creation. This phrase encourages believers to recognize the opportunities and duties that God places in their path and to approach them with diligence and purpose. do it with all your might for in Sheol, where you are going there is no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom The grave.--Sheol (John 9:4). Verse 10. - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. In accordance with what has been already said, and to combat the idea that, as man cannot control his fate, he should take no pains to work his work, but fold his hands in resigned inaction, Koheleth urges him not to despair, but to do his part manfully as long as life is given, and with all the energies of his soul carry out the purpose of his being. The Septuagint gives, "All things whatsoever thy hand shall find to do, do it as thy power is (ὡς ἡ δύναμίς σου);" Vulgate, Quodcumque facere potest manus tua, instanter operate. The expression at the commencement may be illustrated by Leviticus 12:8; Leviticus 25:28; Judges 9:33, where it implies ability to carry out some intention, and in some passages is thus rendered, "is able," etc. (comp. Proverbs 3:27). It is therefore erroneous to render it in this place, "Whatever by chance cometh to hand;" or "Let might be right." Rather it is a call to work as the prelude and accompaniment of enjoyment, anticipating St. Paul's maxim (2 Thessalonians 3:10), "If any would not work, neither should he eat." Ginsburg's interpretation is dishonoring to the Preacher and foreign to his real sentiments, "Have recourse to every source of voluptuous gratification, while thou art in thy strength." The true meaning of the verse is confirmed by such references as John 9:4, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work;" 2 Corinthians 6:2, "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation;" Galatians 6:10, "As we have opportunity, let us do good unto all men." For there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave. The departed have no more work which they can do, no plans or calculations to make; their knowledge is strictly limited, their wisdom is ended. It needs body and soul to carry on the labors and activities of this world; when these are severed, and can no longer act together, there is a complete alteration in the man's relations and capacities. "The grave," sheol (which is found nowhere else in Ecclesiastes), is the place to which go the souls of the dead - a shadowy region. Whither thou goest; to which all are bound. It is plain that the writer believes in the continued existence of the soul, as he differentiates its life in sheol from its life on earth, the energies and operations which are carried on in the one case being curtailed or eclipsed in the other. Of any repentance, or purification, or progress, in the unseen world, Koheleth knows and says nothing. He would seem to regard existence there as a sleep or a state of insensibility; at any rate, such is the natural view of the present passage.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Whateverכֹּ֠ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every you find תִּמְצָ֧א (tim·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present to do לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 6213: To do, make with your hands, יָֽדְךָ֛ (yā·ḏə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand do [it] עֲשֵׂ֑ה (‘ă·śêh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make with all your might, בְּכֹחֲךָ֖ (bə·ḵō·ḥă·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species) for כִּי֩ (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction in Sheol, בִּשְׁא֕וֹל (biš·’ō·wl) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death) where אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are going, הֹלֵ֥ךְ (hō·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk there is no אֵ֨ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle work מַעֲשֶׂ֤ה (ma·‘ă·śeh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property or planning וְחֶשְׁבּוֹן֙ (wə·ḥeš·bō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2808: Contrivance, intelligence or knowledge וְדַ֣עַת (wə·ḏa·‘aṯ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1847: Knowledge or wisdom. וְחָכְמָ֔ה (wə·ḥā·ḵə·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2451: Wisdom Links Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIVEcclesiastes 9:10 NLT Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV Ecclesiastes 9:10 BibleApps.com Ecclesiastes 9:10 Biblia Paralela Ecclesiastes 9:10 Chinese Bible Ecclesiastes 9:10 French Bible Ecclesiastes 9:10 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do do (Ecclesiast. 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