Ecclesiastes 3 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 3 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
ASV For everything there is a season, and a time for very purpose under heaven:
WEB For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
YLT To everything--a season, and a time to every delight under the heavens:
DRB All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.
DBY To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens:
GNV To all things there is an appointed time, and a time to euery purpose vnder the heauen.
LSB There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—
Verse 2
KJV A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
ASV a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
WEB a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
YLT A time to bring forth, And a time to die. A time to plant, And a time to eradicate the planted.
DRB A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
DBY A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
GNV A time to bee borne, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to plucke vp that which is planted.
LSB A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
Verse 3
KJV A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
ASV a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
WEB a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
YLT A time to slay, And a time to heal, A time to break down, And a time to build up.
DRB A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.
DBY A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to break down, and a time to build up;
GNV A time to slay, and a time to heale: a time to breake downe, and a time to builde.
LSB A time to kill and a time to heal; A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Verse 4
KJV A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
ASV a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
WEB a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
YLT A time to weep, And a time to laugh. A time to mourn, And a time to skip.
DRB A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
DBY A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
GNV A time to weepe, and a time to laugh: a time to mourne, and a time to dance.
LSB A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.
Verse 5
KJV A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
ASV a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
WEB a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
YLT A time to cast away stones, And a time to heap up stones. A time to embrace, And a time to be far from embracing.
DRB A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
DBY A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
GNV A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones: a time to embrace, and a time to be farre from embracing.
LSB A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
Verse 6
KJV A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
ASV a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
WEB a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
YLT A time to seek, And a time to destroy. A time to keep, And a time to cast away.
DRB A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
DBY A time to seek, and a time to lose; A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
GNV A time to seeke, and a time to lose: a time to keepe, and a time to cast away.
LSB A time to search and a time to lose; A time to keep and a time to throw away.
Verse 7
KJV A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
ASV a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
WEB a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
YLT A time to rend, And a time to sew. A time to be silent, And a time to speak.
DRB A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
DBY A time to rend, and a time to sew; A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
GNV A time to rent, and a time to sowe: a time to keepe silence, and a time to speake.
LSB A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; A time to be silent and a time to speak.
Verse 8
KJV A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
ASV a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
WEB a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
YLT A time to love, And a time to hate. A time of war, And a time of peace.
DRB A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.
DBY A time to love, and a time to hate; A time of war, and a time of peace.
GNV A time to loue, and a time to hate: a time of warre, and a time of peace.
LSB A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace.
Verse 9
KJV What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
ASV What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth?
WEB What profit has he who works in that in which he labors?
YLT What advantage hath the doer in that which he is labouring at?
DRB What hath man more of his labour?
DBY What profit hath he that worketh from that wherein he laboureth?
GNV What profite hath hee that worketh of the thing wherein he trauaileth?
LSB What advantage is there to the worker from that in which he labors?
Verse 10
KJV I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
ASV I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith.
WEB I have seen the burden which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
YLT I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
DRB I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it.
DBY I have seen the travail that God hath given to the sons of men to toil in.
GNV I haue seene the trauaile that God hath giuen to ye sonnes of men to humble them thereby.
LSB I have seen the endeavor which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
Verse 11
KJV 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.
ASV He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end.
WEB He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their hearts, yet so that man can’t find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.
YLT The whole He hath made beautiful in its season; also, that knowledge He hath put in their heart without which man findeth not out the work that God hath done from the beginning even unto the end.
DRB He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.
DBY He hath made everything beautiful in its time; also he hath set the world in their heart, so that man findeth not out from the beginning to the end the work that God doeth.
GNV He hath made euery thing beautifull in his time: also he hath set the worlde in their heart, yet can not man finde out the worke that God hath wrought from the beginning euen to the end.
LSB He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.
Verse 12
KJV I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
ASV I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.
WEB I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
YLT I have known that there is no good for them except to rejoice and to do good during their life,
DRB And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.
DBY I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;
GNV I know that there is nothing good in them, but to reioyce, and to doe good in his life.
LSB I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to do good in one’s lifetime;
Verse 13
KJV And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.
ASV And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
WEB Also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God.
YLT yea, even every man who eateth and hath drunk and seen good by all his labour, it <FI>is<Fi> a gift of God.
DRB For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.
DBY yea also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labour, it is the gift of God.
GNV And also that euery man eateth and drinketh, and seeth the commoditie of all his labour. this is the gift of God.
LSB moreover, that every man who eats and drinks and sees good in all his labor—it is the gift of God.
Verse 14
KJV I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
ASV I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.
WEB I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; and God has done it, that men should fear before him.
YLT I have known that all that God doth is to the age, to it nothing is to be added, and from it nothing is to be withdrawn; and God hath wrought that they do fear before Him.
DRB I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared.
DBY I know that whatever God doeth, it shall be for ever; there is nothing to be added to it, nor anything to be taken from it; and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.
GNV I knowe that whatsoeuer God shall doe, it shalbe for euer: to it can no man adde, and from it can none diminish: for God hath done it, that they should feare before him.
LSB I know that everything God does will be forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it—God has so worked that men should fear Him.
Verse 15
KJV That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.
ASV That which is hath been long ago; and that which is to be hath long ago been: and God seeketh again that which is passed away.
WEB That which is has been long ago, and that which is to be has been long ago: and God seeks again that which is passed away.
YLT What is that which hath been? already it is, and that which <FI>is<Fi> to be hath already been, and God requireth that which is pursued.
DRB That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.
DBY That which is was long ago, and that which is to be hath already been; and God bringeth back again that which is past.
GNV What is that that hath bene? that is nowe: and that that shalbe, hath now bene: for God requireth that which is past.
LSB That which is has been already and that which will be has already been, yet God seeks what is pursued.
Verse 16
KJV And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.
ASV And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
WEB Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
YLT And again, I have seen under the sun the place of judgment--there <FI>is<Fi> the wicked; and the place of righteousness--there <FI>is<Fi> the wicked.
DRB I saw under the sun in the place of judgment wickedness, and in the place of justice iniquity.
DBY And moreover I saw under the sun, that in the place of judgment, wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, wickedness was there.
GNV And moreouer I haue seene vnder the sunne the place of iudgement, where was wickednesse, and the place of iustice where was iniquitie.
LSB Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness.
Verse 17
KJV I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
ASV I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
WEB I said in my heart, “God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”
YLT I said in my heart, `The righteous and the wicked doth God judge, for a time <FI>is<Fi> to every matter and for every work there.'
DRB And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing.
DBY I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.
GNV I thought in mine heart, God wil iudge the iust and the wicked: for time is there for euery purpose and for euery worke.
LSB I said in my heart, “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man,” for a time for every matter and for every work is there.
Verse 18
KJV I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.
ASV I said in my heart, [It is] because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are [but as] beasts.
WEB I said in my heart, “As for the sons of men, God tests them, so that they may see that they themselves are like animals.
YLT I said in my heart concerning the matter of the sons of man that God might cleanse them, so as to see that they themselves <FI>are<Fi> beasts.
DRB I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts.
DBY I said in my heart, It is thus with the children of men, that God may prove them, and that they should see that they themselves are but beasts.
GNV I considered in mine heart the state of the children of men that God had purged them: yet to see to, they are in themselues as beastes.
LSB I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, “God is testing them in order for them to see that they are but beasts.”
Verse 19
KJV For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.
ASV For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity.
WEB For that which happens to the sons of men happens to animals. Even one thing happens to them. As the one dies, so the other dies. Yes, they have all one breath; and man has no advantage over the animals: for all is vanity.
YLT For an event <FI>is to<Fi> the sons of man, and an event <FI>is to<Fi> the beasts, even one event <FI>is<Fi> to them; as the death of this, so <FI>is<Fi> the death of that; and one spirit <FI>is<Fi> to all, and the advantage of man above the beast is nothing, for the whole <FI>is<Fi> vanity.
DRB Therefore the death of man, and of beasts is one, and the condition of them both is equal: as man dieth, so they also die: all things breathe alike, and man hath nothing more than beast: all things are subject to vanity.
DBY For what befalleth the children of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other, and they have all one breath; and man hath no pre-eminence above the beast: for all is vanity.
GNV For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are euen as one condition vnto them. As the one dyeth, so dyeth the other: for they haue all one breath, and there is no excellency of man aboue ye beast: for all is vanitie.
LSB For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same fate for each of them. As one dies so dies the other, and they all have the same breath. So there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is vanity.
Verse 20
KJV All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
ASV All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.
WEB All go to one place. All are from the dust, and all turn to dust again.
YLT The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back unto the dust.
DRB And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together.
DBY All go unto one place: all are of the dust, and all return to dust.
GNV All goe to one place, and all was of the dust, and all shall returne to the dust.
LSB All go to the same place. All came from the dust, and all return to the dust.
Verse 21
KJV Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
ASV Who knoweth the spirit of man, whether it goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast, whether it goeth downward to the earth?
WEB Who knows the spirit of man, whether it goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, whether it goes downward to the earth?”
YLT Who knoweth the spirit of the sons of man that is going up on high, and the spirit of the beast that is going down below to the earth?
DRB Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward?
DBY Who knoweth the spirit of the children of men? Doth it go upwards? and the spirit of the beasts, doth it go downwards to the earth?
GNV Who knoweth whether the spirit of man ascend vpward, and the spirit of the beast descend downeward to the earth?
LSB Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?
Verse 22
KJV Wherefore 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?
ASV Wherefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him [back] to see what shall be after him?
WEB Therefore I saw that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his works; for that is his portion: for who can bring him to see what will be after him?
YLT And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works, for it <FI>is<Fi> his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after him?
DRB And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him?
DBY And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion; for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?
GNV Therefore I see that there is nothing better then that a man shoulde reioyce in his affaires, because that is his portion. For who shall bring him to see what shalbe after him?
LSB I have seen that nothing is better than that man should be glad in his works, for that is his portion. For who will bring him to see what will occur after him?