Ecclesiastes 9 BSB ISV Parallel

◄ Ecclesiastes 9 ►

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Berean Study Bible

International Standard Version

1So I took all this to heart and concluded that the righteous and the wise, as well as their deeds, are in God’s hands. Man does not know what lies ahead, whether love or hate.

1In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.

2It is the same for all: There is a common fate for the righteous and the wicked, for the good and the bad, for the clean and the unclean, for the one who sacrifices and the one who does not. As it is for the good, so it is for the sinner; as it is for the one who makes a vow, so it is for the one who refuses to take a vow.

2Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice. As it is with the good person, so also it is with the sinner; as it is with someone who takes an oath, so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.

3This is an evil in everything that is done under the sun: There is one fate for everyone. Furthermore, the hearts of men are full of evil and madness while they are alive, and afterward they join the dead.

3There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead.

4There is hope, however, for anyone who is among the living; for even a live dog is better than a dead lion.

4"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion."

5For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. They have no further reward, because the memory of them is forgotten.

5At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.

6Their love, their hate, and their envy have already vanished, and they will never again have a share in all that is done under the sun.

6Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy have been long lost. Never again will they have a part in what happens on earth.

7Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works:

7Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions.

8Let your garments always be white, and never spare the oil for your head.

8Always keep your garments white, and don't fail to anoint your head.

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.

9Find joy in living with your wife whom you love every day of your pointless life that God gave you on earth, because this is your life assignment and your work to do on earth.

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.

10Whatever 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.

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.

11I considered and observed on earth the following: The race doesn't go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the smart, nor recognition to the skilled. Instead, timing and circumstances meet them all.

12For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.

12In addition, no human being knows his time: Like fish captured in a cruel net, or as birds caught in a snare, so also are human beings caught by bad timing that surprises them.

13I have also seen this wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me:

13I also observed this example of wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me:

14There was a small city with few men. A mighty king came against it, surrounded it, and built large siege ramps against it.

14There was a little city with few men in it. A great king came against it, surrounded it, and built massive siege ramps against it.

15Now a poor wise man was found in the city, and he saved the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

15Now there was found within it a poor, but wise man. He delivered the city by his wisdom, but not one person remembered that poor man.

16And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”

16So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard."

17The calm words of the wise are heeded over the shouts of a ruler among fools.

17The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good.

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