Ecclesiastes 8:14–15
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
*There is a vanitie which is done vpon the earth, that there be iust men vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked: againe, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the worke of the righteous: I said, that this also is vanitie.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referencePsa.73.13.
Then 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.
*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.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- *Cross-referenceCha.3.22.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
PASSAGE SELECTION
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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
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From verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 7:15Rank 1 from verse 14
15All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
15All things haue I seene in the dayes of my vanitie: there is a iust man that perisheth in his righteousnes, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickednes.
- Ecclesiastes 2:14Rank 2 from verse 14
- Malachi 3:15Rank 3 from verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 9:1–3Rank 4 from verse 14
1FOR all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.
2All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
1¶ †For all this I considered in my heart, euen to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their workes, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either loue, or hatred, by all that is before them.
2*All things come alike to all: there is one euent to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good and to the cleane, and to the vncleane; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner, and hee that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
3This is an euill among all things that are done vnder the Sunne, that there is one euent vnto all: yea also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnesse is in their heart while they liue, and after that they goe to the dead.
- Psalms 73:12–14Rank 6 from verse 14
12Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
13Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.
14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
12Behold, these are the vngodly: who prosper in the world, they increase in riches.
13Uerily I haue cleansed my heart in vaine, and washed my hands in innocencie.
14†For all the day long haue I bene plagued, and chastened euery morning.
- Psalms 73:3Rank 7 from verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 10:5Rank 8 from verse 14
- Ecclesiastes 4:4Rank 9 from verse 14
4¶ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.
4¶ ††Againe I considered all trauaile, and euery right worke, that for this a man is enuied of his neighbour: this is also vanitie, and vexation of spirit.
- Ecclesiastes 4:8Rank 10 from verse 14
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
8There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither childe nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches, neither sayth hee, For whom doe I labour, and bereaue my soule of good? this is also vanitie, yea it is a sore trauell.
- Jeremiah 12:1Rank 11 from verse 14
1RIGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?
1¶ ‖*Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I pleade with thee: yet let mee talke with thee of thy iudgements: Wherefore doeth the way of the wicked prosper? Wherefore are all they happie that deale very treacherously?
- Job 21:17–34Rank 12 from verse 14
17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
17How oft is the ‖candle of the wicked put out? and how oft commeth their destruction vpon them? God distributeth sorrowes in his anger.
18They are as stubble before the winde, and as chaffe that the storme †carieth away.
19God layeth vp his †iniquitie for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drinke of the wrath of the Almightie.
21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his moneths is cut off in the middest?
22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he iudgeth those that are high.
23One dieth †in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His ‖breasts are full of milke, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25And another dieth in the bitternesse of his soule, and neuer eateth with pleasure.
26They shall lie downe alike in the dust, and the wormes shall couer them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the deuices which yee wrongfully imagine against me.
28For ye say, where is the house of the prince? and where are †the dwelling places of the wicked?
29Haue ye not asked them that goe by the way? and doe ye not know their tokens?
30*That the wicked is reserued to the day of destruction; they shall bee brought foorth to †the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32Yet shall hee be brought to the †graue, & shall †remaine in the tombe.
33The cloudes of the valley shalbe sweete vnto him, and euery man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34How then comfort ye me in vaine, seeing in your answeres there remaineth †falshood?
- Job 24:21–25Rank 13 from verse 14
21He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
22He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.
23Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.
24They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
25And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
21He euill intreateth the barren, that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
22He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth vp, ‖and no man is sure of life.
23 Though it be giuen him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are vpon their wayes.
24They are exalted for a litle while, but †are gone and brought low, they are †taken out of the way as al other, and cut off as the tops of the eares of corne.
25And if it be not so now, who will make mee a liar, and make my speach nothing worth?
- Job 9:22–24Rank 14 from verse 14
22This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
22This is one thing, therefore I said it; he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23If the scourge slay suddenly, hee will laugh at the triall of the innocent.
24The earth is giuen into the hand of the wicked: he couereth the faces of the Iudges thereof; if not, where, and who is hee?
From verse 15
- Ecclesiastes 2:24Rank 1 from verse 15
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.
- Ecclesiastes 5:18Rank 2 from verse 15
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.
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.
- Ecclesiastes 3:12–13Rank 3 from verse 15
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
13And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
12I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.
13And also that euery man should eate and drinke, and enioy the good of all his labour: it is the gift of God.
- Ecclesiastes 9:7–9Rank 4 from verse 15
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.
- 1 Timothy 4:3–4Rank 5 from verse 15
3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to absteine from meates, which God hath created to bee receiued with thankesgiuing of them which beleeue, and know the trueth.
4For euery creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be receiued with thankesgiuing:
- 1 Timothy 6:17Rank 6 from verse 15
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they bee not high minded, nor trust in †vncertaine riches, but in the liuing God, who giueth vs richly all things to enioy,
- Ecclesiastes 3:22Rank 7 from verse 15
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?
22*Wherefore I perceiue that there is nothing better, then that a man should reioyce in his owne workes: for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
Definitions
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 8:14
Emptiness, futility, worthlessness, falsehood, unreliability, or transience.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
1. Marks the person, place, thing, or basis to which something is related: on or onto; above or over; toward or against as the target of action, speech, thought, attention, or force; resting on, assigned to, or affecting as a state, gift, burden, duty, guilt, or judgment; supported by or based on; or one placed, added, or repeated on or after another. 2. With a stated time or occasion, or a preceding event, at that time or point, or at or after that event: on, at, when, then, or following it.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The world in distinction from heaven. Sense 2: Dry land, ground, soil, or dust. Sense 3: A land, region, or its inhabitants.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Right, righteous, upright, equitable, lawful, or fair.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The objective form of who, referring to the person or persons acted upon or related to.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Agreeing or corresponding; in conformity with; as stated, measured, or directed by.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
Another time; once more; back to a former place or condition; or in return.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Right, just, equitable, or in accord with truth, justice, or the will of God. Sense 2: Upright or innocent in a matter. Sense 3: Made or regarded as right. Sense 4: As a noun, persons so described.
Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
Spoke, declared, reported, commanded, or expressed in words.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 8:15
Sense 1: Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of commend, meaning to entrust to another's care. Sense 2: To praise or recommend.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Gladness, merriment, or joyful festivity.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: More excellent, more fitting, or to a greater degree. Sense 2: To improve or make better.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
The great light that rules the day and gives light and heat.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
To take food into the body; to consume, devour, or waste away.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Glad, cheerful, joyful, festive, pleased, or enlivened in heart, often in connection with eating, drinking, feasting, celebration, or favourable circumstances.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828
1. To remain, stay, dwell, wait, or continue in a place, state, or relation. 2. To endure or withstand.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
1. Work, toil, effort, exertion, service, or the product of work. 2. Weariness or trouble. 3. Travail in childbirth. 4. To work, strive, serve, or exert oneself.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
The state of living; the period or manner of one's existence.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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
The one true God.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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13But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
13But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall hee prolong his dayes which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
14*There is a vanitie which is done vpon the earth, that there be iust men vnto whom it happeneth according to the worke of the wicked: againe, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the worke of the righteous: I said, that this also is vanitie.
Selected passage15Then 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.
Selected passage16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
16¶ When I applied mine heart to know wisedome, and to see the busines that is done vpon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleepe with his eyes.)