Ecclesiastes 5 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 5 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
ASV Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God; for to draw nigh to hear is better than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.
WEB Guard your steps when you go to God’s house; for to draw near to listen is better than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they don’t know that they do evil.
YLT Keep thy feet when thou goest unto a house of God, and draw near to hear rather than to give of fools the sacrifice, for they do not know they do evil.
DRB Speak not any thing rashly, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
DBY Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and draw near to hear, rather than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they know not that they do evil.
GNV Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God: for God is in the heauens, and thou art on the earth: therefore let thy wordes be fewe.
LSB Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
Verse 2
KJV Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
ASV Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
WEB Don’t be rash with your mouth, and don’t let your heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven, and you on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
YLT Cause not thy mouth to hasten, and let not thy heart hasten to bring out a word before God, for God is in the heavens, and thou on the earth, therefore let thy words be few.
DRB Dreams follow many cares: and in many words shall be found folly.
DBY Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter anything before God: for God is in the heavens, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.
GNV For as a dreame commeth by the multitude of businesse: so the voyce of a foole is in the multitude of wordes.
LSB Do not be hasty with your mouth or impulsive in your heart to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven but you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
Verse 3
KJV For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
ASV For a dream cometh with a multitude of business, and a fool`s voice with a multitude of words.
WEB For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.
YLT For the dream hath come by abundance of business, and the voice of a fool by abundance of words.
DRB If thou hast vowed any thing to God, defer not to pay it: for an unfaithful and foolish promise displeaseth him: but whatsoever thou hast vowed, pay it.
DBY For a dream cometh through the multitude of business, and a fool's voice through a multitude of words.
GNV When thou hast vowed a vowe to God, deferre not to pay it: for he deliteth not in fooles: pay therefore that thou hast vowed.
LSB For the dream comes through abundant endeavor and the voice of a fool through abundant words.
Verse 4
KJV When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
ASV When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou vowest.
WEB When you vow a vow to God, don’t defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow.
YLT When thou vowest a vow to God, delay not to complete it, for there is no pleasure in fools; that which thou vowest--complete.
DRB And it is much better not to vow, than after a vow not to perform the things promised.
DBY When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
GNV It is better that thou shouldest not vowe, then that thou shouldest vow and not pay it.
LSB When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!
Verse 5
KJV Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
ASV Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
WEB It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay.
YLT Better that thou do not vow, than that thou dost vow and dost not complete.
DRB Give not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin: and say not before the angel: There is no providence: lest God be angry at thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands.
DBY Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
GNV Suffer not thy mouth to make thy flesh to sinne: neither say before the Angel, that this is ignorance: wherefore shall God bee angry by thy voyce, and destroy the worke of thine hands?
LSB It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.
Verse 6
KJV Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?
ASV Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that is was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
WEB Don’t allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don’t protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?
YLT Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger, that `it <FI>is<Fi> an error,' why is God wroth because of thy voice, and hath destroyed the work of thy hands?
DRB Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities, and words without number: but do thou fear God.
DBY Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an inadvertence. Wherefore should God be wroth at thy voice, and destroy the work of thy hands?
GNV For in the multitude of dreames, and vanities are also many wordes: but feare thou God.
LSB Do not allow your mouth to cause your flesh to sin, and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and wreak destruction on the work of your hands?
Verse 7
KJV For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
ASV For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, and in many words: but fear thou God.
WEB For in the multitude of dreams there are vanities, as well as in many words: but you must fear God.
YLT For, in the abundance of dreams both vanities and words abound; but fear thou God.
DRB If thou shalt see the oppressions of the poor, and violent judgments, and justice perverted in the province, wonder not at this matter: for he that is high hath another higher, and there are others still higher than these:
DBY For in the multitude of dreams are vanities; so with many words: but fear God.
GNV If in a countrey thou seest the oppression of the poore, and the defrauding of iudgement and iustice, be not astonied at the matter: for hee that is higher then the highest, regardeth, and there be higher then they.
LSB For in many dreams and vanities are many words. Rather, fear God.
Verse 8
KJV If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
ASV If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a province, marvel not at the matter: for one higher than the high regardeth; and there are higher than they.
WEB If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter: for one official is eyed by a higher one; and there are officials over them.
YLT If oppression of the poor, and violent taking away of judgment and righteousness thou seest in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for a higher than the high is observing, and high ones <FI>are<Fi> over them.
DRB Moreover there is the king that reigneth over all the land subject to him.
DBY If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter; for a higher than the high is watching, and there are higher than they.
GNV And the abundance of the earth is ouer all: the King also consisteth by the fielde that is tilled.
LSB If you see oppression of the poor and robbery of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be astonished over the matter; for a lofty one keeps watch over another lofty one, and there are loftier ones over them.
Verse 9
KJV Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.
ASV Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king [himself] is served by the field.
WEB Moreover the profit of the earth is for all. The king profits from the field.
YLT And the abundance of a land is for all. A king for a field is served.
DRB A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loveth riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity.
DBY Moreover the earth is every way profitable: the king [himself] is dependent upon the field.
GNV He that loueth siluer, shall not be satisfied with siluer, and he that loueth riches, shalbe without the fruite thereof: this also is vanitie.
LSB But the advantage of the land in everything is this—a king committed to a cultivated field.
Verse 10
KJV He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
ASV He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
WEB He who loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase: this also is vanity.
YLT Whoso is loving silver is not satisfied <FI>with<Fi> silver, nor he who is in love with stores <FI>with<Fi> increase. Even this <FI>is<Fi> vanity.
DRB Where there are great riches, there are also many to eat them. And what doth it profit the owner, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes?
DBY He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This also is vanity.
GNV When goods increase, they are increased that eate them: and what good commeth to the owners thereof, but the beholding thereof with their eyes?
LSB He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its produce. This too is vanity.
Verse 11
KJV When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes?
ASV When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what advantage is there to the owner thereof, save the beholding [of them] with his eyes?
WEB When goods increase, those who eat them are increased; and what advantage is there to its owner, except to feast on them with his eyes?
YLT In the multiplying of good have its consumers been multiplied, and what benefit <FI>is<Fi> to its possessor except the sight of his eyes?
DRB Sleep is sweet to a labouring man, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
DBY When goods increase, they are increased that eat them; and what profit is there to the owner thereof, except the beholding [of them] with his eyes?
GNV The sleepe of him that traueileth, is sweete, whether he eate litle or much: but the sacietie of the riche will not suffer him to sleepe.
LSB When good things increase, those who consume them increase. So what is the success to their masters except to look on with their eyes?
Verse 12
KJV The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
ASV The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much; but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
WEB The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the abundance of the rich will not allow him to sleep.
YLT Sweet <FI>is<Fi> the sleep of the labourer whether he eat little or much; and the sufficiency of the wealthy is not suffering him to sleep.
DRB There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner.
DBY The sleep of the labourer is sweet, whether he have eaten little or much; but the fulness of the rich doth not suffer him to sleep.
GNV There is an euill sickenes that I haue seene vnder the sunne: to wit, riches reserued to the owners thereof for their euill.
LSB The sleep of the laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much; but the satisfaction of the rich man does not allow him to sleep.
Verse 13
KJV There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
ASV There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun, [namely], riches kept by the owner thereof to his hurt:
WEB There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm.
YLT There is a painful evil I have seen under the sun: wealth kept for its possessor, for his evil.
DRB For they are lost with very great affliction: he hath begotten a son, who shall be in extremity of want.
DBY There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun: riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt;
GNV And these riches perish by euill trauel, and he begetteth a sonne, and in his hand is nothing.
LSB There is a sickening evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their master to his own evil demise.
Verse 14
KJV But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
ASV and those riches perish by evil adventure; and if he hath begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
WEB Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand.
YLT And that wealth hath been lost in an evil business, and he hath begotten a son and there is nothing in his hand!
DRB As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, so shall he return, and shall take nothing away with him of his labour.
DBY or those riches perish by some evil circumstance, and if he have begotten a son, there is nothing in his hand.
GNV As hee came foorth of his mothers belly, he shall returne naked to goe as he came, and shall beare away nothing of his labour, which hee hath caused to passe by his hand.
LSB And those riches were lost through a bad endeavor; and he became the father of a son, but there was nothing in his hand for him.
Verse 15
KJV As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
ASV As he came forth from his mother`s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
WEB As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand.
YLT As he came out from the belly of his mother, naked he turneth back to go as he came, and he taketh not away anything of his labour, that doth go in his hand.
DRB A most deplorable evil: as he came, so shall he return. What then doth it profit him that he hath laboured for the wind?
DBY As he came forth from his mother's womb, naked shall he go away again as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
GNV And this also is an euill sickenes that in all pointes as he came, so shall he goe, and what profit hath he that he hath traueiled for the winde?
LSB As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will carry nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can bring in his hand.
Verse 16
KJV And 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?
ASV And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that he laboreth for the wind?
WEB This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind?
YLT And this also <FI>is<Fi> a painful evil, just as he came, so he goeth, and what advantage <FI>is<Fi> to him who laboureth for wind?
DRB All the days of his life he eateth in darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, and sorrow.
DBY And this also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came so doth he go away, and what profit hath he, in having laboured for the wind?
GNV Also all his dayes hee eateth in darkenes with much griefe, and in his sorowe and anger.
LSB This also is a sickening evil—exactly as a man came, so will he go. So what is the advantage to him who labors for the wind?
Verse 17
KJV All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness.
ASV All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he is sore vexed, and hath sickness and wrath.
WEB All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath.
YLT Also all his days in darkness he consumeth, and sadness, and wrath, and sickness abound.
DRB This therefore hath seemed good to me, that a man should eat and drink, and enjoy the fruit of his labour, wherewith he hath laboured under the sun, all the days of his life, which God hath given him: and this is his portion.
DBY All his days also he eateth in darkness, and hath much vexation, and sickness, and irritation.
GNV Beholde then, what I haue seene good, that it is comely to eate, and to drinke, and to take pleasure in all his labour, wherein he traueileth vnder the sunne, the whole nomber of the dayes of his life, which God giueth him: for this is his portion.
LSB Also, all his days he eats in darkness with much vexation, and his sickness and anger.
Verse 18
KJV 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.
ASV Behold, that which I have seen to be good and to be comely is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, wherein he laboreth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for this is his portion.
WEB Behold, that which I have seen to be good and proper is for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labor, in which he labors under the sun, all the days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
YLT Lo, that which I have seen: <FI>It is<Fi> good, because beautiful, to eat, and to drink, and to see good in all one's labour that he laboureth at under the sun, the number of the days of his life that God hath given to him, for it <FI> is<Fi> his portion.
DRB And every man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to enjoy his portion, and to rejoice of his labour: this is the gift of God.
DBY Behold what I have seen good and comely: [it is] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy good in all his labour wherewith [man] laboureth under the sun, all the days of his life which God hath given him: for that is his portion.
GNV Also to euery man to whom God hath giuen riches and treasures, and giueth him power to eate thereof, and to take his part, and to enioy his labour: this is the gift of God.
LSB Here is what I have seen to be good, which is beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion.
Verse 19
KJV Every 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.
ASV Every 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 labor-this is the gift of God.
WEB Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.
YLT Every man also to whom God hath given wealth and riches, and hath given him power to eat of it, and to accept his portion, and to rejoice in his labour, this is a gift of God.
DRB For he shall not much remember the days of his life, because God entertaineth his heart with delight.
DBY Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and power to eat thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labour: that is a gift of God.
GNV Surely hee will not much remember the dayes of his life, because God answereth to the ioy of his heart.
LSB Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Verse 20
KJV For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
ASV For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart.
WEB For he shall not often reflect on the days of his life; because God occupies him with the joy of his heart.
YLT For he doth not much remember the days of his life, for God is answering through the joy of his heart.
DRB
DBY For he will not much remember the days of his life, because God answereth [him] with the joy of his heart.
GNV
LSB For he will not remember much the days of his life because God allows him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart.