Ecclesiastes 3:18–22

²²So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

^22††So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.

¹²Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

¹²Neuerthelesse man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beastes that perish.

¹²But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

¹²But these, as natural bruit beasts made to bee taken and destroyed speake euill of the things that they vnderstand not, and shall vtterly perish in their owne corruption,

¹⁷And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

¹⁸Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

¹⁹In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

¹⁷And vnto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened vnto the voyce of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commaunded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eate of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake: in sorow shalt thou eate of it all the dayes of thy life.

¹⁸Thornes also and thistles shall it ^†bring forth to thee: and thou shalt eate the herbe of the field.

¹⁹In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread, till thou returne vnto the ground: for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne.

²⁷And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

²⁷And as it is appointed vnto men once to die, but after this the Iudgement:

²⁴For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

^24‖For all flesh is as grasse, and all the glory of man as the flowre of grasse: the grasse withereth, and the flowre thereof falleth away.

²³And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

²³And that he might make knowen the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which hee had afore prepared vnto glorie?

¹MAN that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

²He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

³And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

⁴Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

¹¶ Man that is borne of a woman, is ^†of few dayes, and full of trouble.

^2*Hee commeth forth like a flower, and is cut downe: he fleeth also, as a shaddow and continueth not.

³And doest thou open thine eies vpon such an one, and bringest me into iudgment with thee?

^4†Who ^*can bring a cleane thing out of an vncleane? not one.

¹⁶How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

¹⁶How much more abominable and filthie is man, which drinketh iniquitie like water?

⁸Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

^8*Wilt thou also disanul my iudgement? Wilt thou condemne mee, that thou mayest be righteous?

¹⁴Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

^14‖‖Like sheepe they are layd in the graue, death shall feede on them; and the vpright shall haue dominion ouer them in the morning, and their beauty shall consume in the graue, from their dwelling.

¹⁹He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

²⁰Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

^19†Hee shall goe to the generation of his fathers, they shall neuer see light.

²⁰Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

⁴Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

^4*Against thee, thee onely haue I sinned, and done this euill in thy sight: that thou mightest bee iustified when thou speakest, and be cleare when thou iudgest.

¹⁸Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

¹⁹How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

¹⁸Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them downe into destruction.

¹⁹How are they brought into desolation as in a moment? they are vtterly consumed with terrours.

⁵Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

⁶In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

⁷For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

⁸Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

⁹For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

¹⁰The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

¹¹Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

¹²So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

^5‖Thou carriest them away as with a flood, they are as a sleepe: in the morning they are like grasse which groweth vp.

⁶In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth vp: in the euening it is cut downe, and withereth.

⁷For we are consumed by thine anger: and by thy wrath are we troubled.

⁸Thou hast set our iniquities before thee: our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance.

^9†‖For all our dayes are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our yeeres as a tale that is told.

^10†The dayes of our yeres are threescore yeeres and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourescore yeeres, yet is their strength labour and sorrow: for it is soone cut off, and we flie away.

¹¹Who knoweth the power of thine anger? euen according to thy feare, so is thy wrath.

^12†So teach vs to number our daies: that wee may apply our hearts vnto wisedome.

⁴God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

⁴God forbid: yea, let God be true, but euery man a lier, as it is written, ^*That thou mightest be iustified in thy sayings, and mightest ouercome when thou art iudged.

¹²Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

¹²Neuerthelesse man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beastes that perish.

²⁰Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

²⁰Man that is in honour and vnderstandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

¹⁰But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

¹¹As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:

¹²So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

¹⁰But man dyeth, and ^†wasteth away; yea, man giueth vp the ghost, and where is hee?

¹¹ As the waters faile from the sea, and the floud decayeth and dryeth vp:

¹²So man lyeth downe, and riseth not, till the heauens be no more, they shall not awake; nor bee raised out of their sleepe.

¹⁴The wise man’s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

^14*The wise mans eyes are in his head, but the foole walketh in darknes: and I my selfe perceiued also that one euent happeneth to them all.

²⁰Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.

²¹For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

²²For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun?

²³For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.

²⁰Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despaire of all the labour which I tooke vnder the Sunne.

^21†For there is a man whose labour is in wisedome and in knowledge, and in equitie: yet to a man that hath not laboured therein, shall hee leaue it for his portion; This also is vanitie, and a great euill.

^22*For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart wherein hee hath laboured vnder the Sunne?

^23*For all his dayes are sorrowes, and his traueile, griefe; yea his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanitie.

⁵Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

⁶Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

^5†*Behold, thou hast made my dayes as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily euery man at his best state is altogether vanitie. Selah.

^6†Surely euery man walketh in a vaine shew: surely they are disquieted in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

⁴⁷Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

⁴⁸What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

⁴⁷Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vaine?

⁴⁸What man is he that liueth, and shall not see death? shall he deliuer his soule from the hand of the graue? Selah.

¹⁴For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.

¹⁴For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot bee gathered vp againe: ^‖neither doeth God respect any person, yet doeth he deuise meanes, that his banished bee not expelled from him.

¹⁶For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

¹⁶For there is no remembrance of the wise, more then of the foole for euer; seeing that which now is, in the dayes to come shall be forgotten; and how dieth the wise man? as the foole.

²⁹Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

²⁹Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled, thou takest away their breath, they die: and returne to their dust.

⁶A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.

⁷When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

⁶A brutish man knoweth not: neither doeth a foole vnderstand this.

⁷When the wicked spring as the grasse, and when all the workers of iniquitie doe flourish: it is that they shall be destroyed for euer.

¹⁹In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

¹⁹In the sweate of thy face shalt thou eate bread, till thou returne vnto the ground: for out of it wast thou taken, for dust thou art, and vnto dust shalt thou returne.

¹⁵All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

^15*All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turne againe vnto dust.

⁷Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

^7*Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall returne vnto God who gaue it.

²¹Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

^21††Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth vpward; and the spirit of the beast that goeth downeward to the earth?

⁶¶ Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?

⁶¶ Yea though he liue a thousand yeeres twice told, yet hath he seene no good: Doe not all goe to one place?

¹⁰Whatsoever 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.

¹⁰Whatsoeuer thy hand findeth to doe, doe it with thy might: for there is no worke, nor deuice, nor knowledge, nor wisedome in the graue, whither thou goest.

⁹Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

¹⁰Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?

⁹Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and wilt thou bring me into dust againe?

^10*Hast thou not powred me out as milke, and cruddled me like cheese?

⁹As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

⁹ As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth downe to the graue, shall come vp no more.

¹³And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.

¹³And when thou hast seene it, thou also shalt be gathered vnto thy people, as ^*Aaron thy brother was gathered.

²⁹Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

²⁹Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled, thou takest away their breath, they die: and returne to their dust.

²And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

^2*And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to euerlasting life, and some to shame and euerlasting contempt.

¹⁷And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

¹⁷And these are the yeeres of the life of Ishmael; an hundred and thirty and seuen yeeres: and he gaue vp the ghost and died, and was gathered vnto his people.

⁸Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

⁸Then Abraham gaue vp the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of yeeres, and was gathered to his people.

¹³If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

¹³If I waite, the graue is mine house: I haue made my bedde in the darknesse.

¹⁴Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

^14‖‖Like sheepe they are layd in the graue, death shall feede on them; and the vpright shall haue dominion ouer them in the morning, and their beauty shall consume in the graue, from their dwelling.

²⁴Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.

²⁴Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the ^†graue, though they cry in his destruction.

⁷Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

^7*Then shall the dust returne to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall returne vnto God who gaue it.

¹FOR we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

¹¶ For we know, that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolued, wee haue a building of God, an house not made with hand, eternall in the heauens.

³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

³And if I goe and prepare a place for you, I will come againe, and receiue you vnto my selfe, that where I am, there ye may be also.

²²And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

²³And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

²²And it came to passe that the begger died, and was caried by the Angels into Abrahams bosome: the rich man also died, and was buried.

²³And in hell he lift vp his eyes being in torments, and seeth Abraham afarre off, and Lazarus in his bosome:

²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

²³For I am in a strait betwixt two, hauing a desire to depart, & to bee with Christ, which is farre better.

⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

⁸We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

²⁵That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

²⁵That hee may take part of this ministerie and Apostleship, from which Iudas by transgression fell, that hee might goe to his owne place.

²⁴¶ There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

²⁴¶ ^*‖ There is nothing better for a man, then that he should eat and drinke, and that he should make his soule enioy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

¹¹He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

¹¹He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also hee hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can finde out the worke that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

¹²I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.

¹⁴A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?

^14*†*A foole also is full of words; a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall bee after him who can tell him?

¹²For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun?

^12†*For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the dayes of his vaine life, which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shal be after him vnder the sunne?

⁷For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?

^7‖For hee knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him, when it shall be?

⁹¶ Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

⁹¶ Reioyce, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheere thee in the dayes of thy youth, and walke in the wayes of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things, God will bring thee into iudgement.

⁴Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁴Reioyce in the Lord alway: and againe I say, Reioyce.

⁵Let your moderation be knowen vnto all men. The Lord is at hand.

¹⁰And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.

¹¹Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

¹⁰And whatsoeuer mine eyes desired, I kept not from them; I withheld not my heart from any ioy: for my heart reioyced in all my labour; and this was my portion of all my labour.

^11*Then I looked on all the workes that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to doe: and behold, all was vanitie, and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit vnder the Sunne.

¹³But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

^13‖But goe thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in the lot at the end of the dayes.

⁹And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

¹⁰Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

⁹And he said, Goe thy way, Daniel: for the wordes are closed vp and sealed till the time of the end.

¹⁰Many shalbe purified, and made white and tried: but the wicked shall doe wickedly: and none of the wicked shall vnderstand, but the wise shall vnderstand.

¹⁸But thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.

¹⁸But thou must eate them before the LORD thy God, in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou and thy sonne, and thy daughter, and thy man seruant, and thy maid seruant, and the Leuite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt reioyce before the LORD thy God, in all that thou puttest thine hands vnto.

⁷And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee.

⁷And there ye shall eate before the LORD your God, and yee shall reioyce in all that you put your hand vnto, ye and your housholds, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.

¹⁰And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God:

¹¹And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.

¹⁰And now behold, I haue brought the First fruits of the land, which thou, O LORD, hast giuen mee: and thou shalt set it before the LORD thy God, and worship before the LORD thy God.

¹¹And thou shalt reioyce in euery good thing, which the LORD thy God hath giuen vnto thee, and vnto thine house, thou, and the Leuite, and the stranger that is among you.

⁴⁷Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

⁴⁷Because thou seruedst not the LORD thy God with ioyfulnesse, and with gladnesse of heart, for the aboundance of all things.

¹⁸¶ Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

²⁰For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

¹⁸¶ ^*††Behold that which I haue seene: It is good and comely for one to eate and to drinke, and to enioy the good of all his labour that he taketh vnder the sunne, all the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for it is his portion.

¹⁹Euery man also to whom God hath giuen riches and wealth, and hath giuen him power to eate thereof, and to take his portion, and to reioyce in his labour; th is is the gift of God.

^20‖For he shall not much remember the dayes of his life: because God answereth him in the ioy of his heart.

¹⁵Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.

^15*Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing vnder the Sunne, then to eate and to drinke, and to be merrie: for that shall abide with him of his labour, the dayes of his life, which God giueth him vnder the Sunne.

¹²For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

^12*For man also knoweth not his time, as the fishes that are taken in an euil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sonnes of men snared in an euill time, when it falleth suddenly vpon them.

⁷¶ Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

⁸Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.

⁹Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

⁷¶ Goe thy way, eate thy bread with ioy, and drinke thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy workes.

⁸Let thy garments bee alwayes white; and let thy head lacke no oyntment.

^9†*Liue ioyfully with the wife, whom thou louest, all the dayes of the life of thy vanitie, which he hath giuen thee vnder the Sunne, all the dayes of thy vanitie: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest vnder the Sunne.

²¹His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.

²¹His sonnes come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought lowe, but he perceiueth it not of them.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of it selfe: sufficient vnto the day is the euill thereof.

¹¹Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

¹²Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

¹¹Not slouthfull in busines: feruent in spirit, seruing the Lord.

¹²Reioycing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer.