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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Ecclesiastes 3:9–12

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He 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.
I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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4 selected · 18 available

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

All 35 ranked passages are available for comparison.

From verse 9

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:3Rank 1 from verse 9
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    3What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

  2. Ecclesiastes 5:16Rank 2 from verse 9
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    16And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

  3. Proverbs 14:23Rank 3 from verse 9
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    23In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

  4. Ecclesiastes 2:11Rank 4 from verse 9
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    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.

  5. Ecclesiastes 2:22–23Rank 5 from verse 9
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    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.

  6. Matthew 16:26Rank 6 from verse 9
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    26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

From verse 10

  1. Ecclesiastes 1:13–14Rank 1 from verse 10
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    13And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

    14I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  2. Genesis 3:19Rank 2 from verse 10
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    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.

  3. Ecclesiastes 2:26Rank 3 from verse 10
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    26For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.

  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:9Rank 4 from verse 10
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    9For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

  5. 2 Thessalonians 3:8Rank 5 from verse 10
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    8Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

From verse 11

  1. Romans 1:19–20Rank 1 from verse 11
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    19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

    20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

  2. Romans 11:33Rank 2 from verse 11
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    33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  3. Job 11:7Rank 3 from verse 11
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    7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

  4. Ecclesiastes 8:17Rank 4 from verse 11
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    17Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea further; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.

  5. Job 5:9Rank 5 from verse 11
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    9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

  6. Mark 7:37Rank 6 from verse 11
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    37And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

  7. Psalms 104:24Rank 7 from verse 11
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    24O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

  8. Genesis 1:31Rank 8 from verse 11
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    31And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

  9. Ecclesiastes 7:29Rank 9 from verse 11
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    29Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

  10. Deuteronomy 32:4Rank 10 from verse 11
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    4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

  11. Matthew 13:22Rank 11 from verse 11
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    22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

  12. Romans 1:28Rank 12 from verse 11
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    28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

  13. Job 37:23Rank 13 from verse 11
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    23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

  14. Matthew 11:27Rank 14 from verse 11
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    27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

From verse 12

  1. Psalms 37:3Rank 1 from verse 12
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    3Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  2. Ecclesiastes 3:22Rank 2 from verse 12
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    22Wherefore 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?

  3. 1 Timothy 6:18Rank 3 from verse 12
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    18That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:15–16Rank 4 from verse 12
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    15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

    16Rejoice evermore.

  5. Acts 20:35Rank 5 from verse 12
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    35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

  6. Philippians 4:4–9Rank 6 from verse 12
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    4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

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

    6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

    7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

    8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

  7. Isaiah 64:5Rank 7 from verse 12
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    5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.

  8. Luke 11:41Rank 8 from verse 12
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    41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

  9. Deuteronomy 28:63Rank 9 from verse 12
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    63And 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.

  10. Ecclesiastes 9:7–9Rank 10 from verse 12
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    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.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 3:9

COMBINED MEANING

profit

↗

Sense 1: Benefit or advantage. Sense 2: To benefit, improve, or advance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

worketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of work, meaning to labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 3:10

COMBINED MEANING

travail

↗

Sense 1: The painful labour and anguish of childbirth. Sense 2: To undergo such labour. Sense 3: Severe toil, trouble, sorrow, or suffering.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

exercised

↗

Practiced, employed, occupied, or trained by repeated use.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 3:11

COMBINED MEANING

made

↗

Formed, caused, prepared, appointed, or brought into a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

every

↗

Each individual or member of the class, group, place, time, side, or kind named; all distributively.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

time

↗

A particular portion or part of duration, whether past, present or future.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

set

↗

1. To put or place a person or thing in a position, relation, or condition; when passive, to be so placed, fixed, or adorned. 2. To establish, fix, appoint, assign, prescribe, or determine. 3. To arrange, prepare, present, display, or put in order or array. 4. To direct, turn, or firmly apply the face, heart, eyes, mind, affection, or action toward something. 5. To start, advance, send out, proceed on a course or work, or make an attack, as in set forward, set forth, or set upon where those meanings apply. 6. To value or esteem; or, in set at nought or set light by, to despise. 7. Of the sun, to go down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

find

↗

To discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

work

↗

Sense 1: Labour, occupation, an assigned task, or service. Sense 2: An action, deed, operation, effect, product, thing made, or manner of workmanship. Sense 3: To labour, act, operate, perform, make, produce, accomplish, or bring about.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

maketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of make (to form, create, produce, cause, appoint, perform, or render into a stated condition).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

end

↗

Sense 1: The last or concluding part, termination, or limit. Sense 2: A purpose or intended result. Sense 3: As a verb, to cease or bring to a close.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Ecclesiastes 3:12

COMBINED MEANING

know

↗

To perceive, understand, recognize, experience, or be assured of something.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

good

↗

Sense 1: Right, morally upright, beneficial, pleasing, useful, suitable, sound, favourable, or excellent. Sense 2: A good thing, benefit, welfare, possession, or goods. Sense 3: In ‘make good,’ to repair, repay, fulfil, establish, or prove.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rejoice

↗

1. To be glad, take joy, delight, or exult; to express gladness. 2. To make glad or cause to rejoice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

READ THE PASSAGE

View in context

Nearby verses · passage boundary unavailable · Ecclesiastes 3:8–13

The selected passage is highlighted. Context is a study aid.

3:8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

3:9What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?

Selected passage

3:10I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

Selected passage

3:11He 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.

Selected passage

3:12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

Selected passage

3:13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

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