| International Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 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. | 1So 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. |
| 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. | 2Everyone 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. |
| 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. | 3This 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. |
| 4"While someone is among the living, hope remains," because "it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion." | 4But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion. |
| 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. | 5For 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. |
| 6Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy have been long lost. Never again will they have a part in what happens on earth. | 6What 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. |
| 7Go ahead and enjoy your meals as you eat. Drink your wine with a joyful attitude, because God already has approved your actions. | 7Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works. |
| 8Always keep your garments white, and don't fail to anoint your head. | 8Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head. |
| 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. | 9Enjoy 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. |
| 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. | 10Whatever 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. |
| 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. | 11Again, 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. |
| 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. | 12Surely, 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. |
| 13I also observed this example of wisdom on earth, and it seemed important to me: | 13This is what I also observed about wisdom on earth, and it is a great burden to me: |
| 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. | 14There 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. |
| 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. | 15However, 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. |
| 16So I concluded, "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless, the wisdom of the poor is rejected—his words are never heard." | 16So I concluded that wisdom is better than might, but a poor man's wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice. |
| 17The softly spoken words of the wise are to be heard rather than the shouts of a ruler of fools. | 17The words of the wise are heard in quiet, more than the shouting of a ruler is heard among fools. |
| 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, and a single sinner can destroy a lot of good. | 18Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner can destroy much that is good. |
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