Ecclesiastes 8 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 8 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
ASV Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? A man`s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
WEB Who is like the wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
YLT Who <FI>is<Fi> as the wise? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? The wisdom of man causeth his face to shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.
DRB The wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance, and the most mighty will change his face.
DBY Who is as the wise? and who knoweth the explanation of things? A man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face is changed.
GNV Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? the wisedome of a man doth make his face to shine: and the strength of his face shalbe changed.
LSB Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines his face and causes his stern face to beam.
Verse 2
KJV I counsel thee to keep the king’s commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
ASV I [counsel thee], Keep the king`s command, and that in regard of the oath of God.
WEB I say, “Keep the king’s command!” because of the oath to God.
YLT I pray thee, the commandment of a king keep, even for the sake of the oath of God.
DRB I observe the mouth of the king, and the commandments of the oath of God.
DBY I [say], Keep the king's commandment, and [that] on account of the oath of God.
GNV I aduertise thee to take heede to ye mouth of the King, and to the worde of the othe of God.
LSB I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the sworn oath before God.
Verse 3
KJV Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
ASV Be not hasty to go out of his presence; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
WEB Don’t be hasty to go out of his presence. Don’t persist in an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him,
YLT Be not troubled at his presence, thou mayest go, stand not in an evil thing, for all that he pleaseth he doth.
DRB Be not hasty to depart from his face, and do not continue in an evil work: for he will do all that pleaseth him:
DBY Be not hasty to go out of his sight; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatever pleaseth him,
GNV Haste not to goe forth of his sight: stand not in an euill thing: for he will doe whatsoeuer pleaseth him.
LSB Do not be in a hurry to go from his presence. Do not stand in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.”
Verse 4
KJV Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
ASV For the king`s word [hath] power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
WEB for the king’s word is supreme. Who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
YLT Where the word of a king <FI>is<Fi> power <FI>is<Fi> , and who saith to him, `What dost thou?'
DRB And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so?
DBY because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
GNV Where the word of ye King is, there is power, and who shall say vnto him, What doest thou?
LSB Since the word of the king is powerful, who will say to him, “What are you doing?”
Verse 5
KJV Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
ASV Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man`s heart discerneth time and judgment:
WEB Whoever keeps the commandment shall not come to harm, and his wise heart will know the time and procedure.
YLT Whoso is keeping a command knoweth no evil thing, and time and judgment the heart of the wise knoweth.
DRB He that keepeth the commandment, shall find no evil. The heart of a wiser man understandeth time and answer.
DBY Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man's heart knoweth time and manner.
GNV He that keepeth the commandement, shall knowe none euill thing, and the heart of the wise shall knowe the time and iudgement.
LSB He who keeps a royal command experiences no evil thing, for a wise heart knows the proper time and custom.
Verse 6
KJV Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
ASV for to every purpose there is a time and judgment; because the misery of man is great upon him:
WEB For there is a time and procedure for every purpose, although the misery of man is heavy on him.
YLT For to every delight there is a time and a judgment, for the misfortune of man is great upon him.
DRB There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man:
DBY For to every purpose there is time and manner. For the misery of man is great upon him;
GNV For to euery purpose there is a time and iudgement, because the miserie of man is great vpon him.
LSB For there is a proper time and custom for every matter, though a man’s trouble is multiplied upon him.
Verse 7
KJV For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
ASV for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
WEB For he doesn’t know that which will be; for who can tell him how it will be?
YLT For he knoweth not that which shall be, for when it shall be who declareth to him?
DRB Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.
DBY for he knoweth not that which shall be; for who can tell him how it shall be?
GNV For he knoweth not that which shalbe: for who can tell him when it shalbe?
LSB If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen?
Verse 8
KJV There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
ASV There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in war: neither shall wickedness deliver him that is given to it.
WEB There is no man who has power over the spirit to contain the spirit; neither does he have power over the day of death. There is no discharge in war; neither shall wickedness deliver those who practice it.
YLT There is no man ruling over the spirit to restrain the spirit, and there is no authority over the day of death, and there is no discharge in battle, and wickedness delivereth not its possessors.
DRB It is not in man's power to stop the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death, neither is he suffered to rest when war is at hand, neither shall wickedness save the wicked.
DBY There is no man who hath control over the spirit to retain the spirit; and no one hath control over the day of death; and there is no discharge in that war, neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
GNV Man is not lorde ouer the spirit to retaine the spirite: neither hath hee power in the day of death, nor deliuerance in the battell, neither shall wickednesse deliuer the possessers thereof.
LSB There is no man who has power to restrain the wind with the wind, and there is none who has power over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and wickedness will not provide escape to its masters.
Verse 9
KJV All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
ASV All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: [there is] a time wherein one man hath power over another to his hurt.
WEB All this I have seen, and applied my mind to every work that is done under the sun. There is a time in which one man has power over another to his hurt.
YLT All this I have seen so as to give my heart to every work that hath been done under the sun; a time that man hath ruled over man to his own evil.
DRB All these things I have considered, and applied my heart to all the works that are done under the sun. Sometimes one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
DBY All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time when man ruleth man to his hurt.
GNV All this haue I seene, and haue giuen mine heart to euery worke, which is wrought vnder the sunne, and I sawe a time that man ruleth ouer man to his owne hurt.
LSB All this I have seen and given my heart to every work that has been done under the sun wherein a man has power over another man to his calamity.
Verse 10
KJV And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
ASV So I saw the wicked buried, and they came [to the grave]; and they that had done right went away from the holy place, and were forgotten in the city: this also is vanity.
WEB So I saw the wicked buried. Indeed they came also from holiness. They went and were forgotten in the city where they did this. This also is vanity.
YLT And so I have seen the wicked buried, and they went in, even from the Holy Place they go, and they are forgotten in the city whether they had so done. This also <FI>is<Fi> vanity.
DRB I saw the wicked buried: who also when they were yet living were in the holy place, and were praised in the city as men of just works: but this also is vanity.
DBY And I have also seen the wicked buried and going away; and such as had acted rightly went from [the] holy place, and were forgotten in the city. This also is vanity.
GNV And likewise I sawe the wicked buried, and they returned, and they that came from the holy place, were yet forgotten in the citie where they had done right: this also is vanitie.
LSB So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is vanity.
Verse 11
KJV Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
ASV Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
WEB Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
YLT Because sentence hath not been done <FI>on<Fi> an evil work speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of man is full within them to do evil.
DRB For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear.
DBY Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil.
GNV Because sentence against an euill worke is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to doe euill.
LSB Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
Verse 12
KJV Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
ASV Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, that fear before him:
WEB Though a sinner commits crimes a hundred times, and lives long, yet surely I know that it will be better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.
YLT Though a sinner is doing evil a hundred <FI>times<Fi> , and prolonging <FI>himself<Fi> for it, surely also I know that there is good to those fearing God, who fear before Him.
DRB But though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and by patience be borne withal, I know from thence that it shall be well with them that fear God, who dread his face.
DBY Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his [days], yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, because they fear before him;
GNV Though a sinner doe euill an hundreth times, and God prolongeth his dayes, yet I knowe that it shalbe well with them that feare the Lord, and doe reuerence before him.
LSB Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may prolong his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly.
Verse 13
KJV But 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.
ASV but 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.
WEB But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he lengthen days like a shadow; because he doesn’t fear God.
YLT And good is not to the wicked, and he doth not prolong days as a shadow, because he is not fearing before God.
DRB But let it not be well with the wicked, neither let his days be prolonged, but as a shadow let them pass away that fear not the face of the Lord.
DBY but it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days as a shadow, because he feareth not before God.
GNV But it shall not be well to the wicked, neither shall he prolong his dayes: he shall be like a shadowe, because he feareth not before God.
LSB But it will not be well for the wicked man, and he will not prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God openly.
Verse 14
KJV 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.
ASV There is a vanity which is done upon the earth, that there are righteous men unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there are wicked men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
WEB There is a vanity which is done on the earth, that there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the work of the wicked. Again, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
YLT There is a vanity that hath been done upon the earth, that there are righteous ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the wicked, and there are wicked ones unto whom it is coming according to the work of the righteous. I have said that this also <FI>is<Fi> vanity.
DRB There is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are just men to whom evils happen, as though they had done the works of the wicked: and there are wicked men, who are as secure as though they had the deeds of the just: but this also I judge most vain.
DBY There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there are righteous [men] unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; and there are wicked [men] to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
GNV There is a vanitie, which is done vpon the earth, that there be righteous men to whom it commeth according to the worke of the wicked: and there be wicked men to whom it commeth according to the worke of the iust: I thought also that this is vanitie.
LSB There is vanity which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the works of the wicked. On the other hand, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the works of the righteous. I say that this too is vanity.
Verse 15
KJV 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.
ASV Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that shall abide with him in his labor [all] the days of his life which God hath given him under the sun.
WEB Then I commended mirth, because a man has no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be joyful: for that will accompany him in his labor all the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
YLT And I have praised mirth because there is no good to man under the sun except to eat and to drink, and to rejoice, and it remaineth with him of his labour the days of his life that God hath given to him under the sun.
DRB Therefore I commended mirth, because there was no good for a man under the sun, but to eat, and drink, and be merry, and that he should take nothing else with him of his labour in the days of his life, which God hath given him under the sun.
DBY And I commended mirth, because there is nothing better for man 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 hath given him under the sun.
GNV And I praysed ioy: for there is no goodnesse to man vnder the sunne, saue to eate and to drinke and to reioyce: for this is adioyned to his labour, the dayes of his life that God hath giuen him vnder the sunne.
LSB So I laud gladness, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will join with him in his labor throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
Verse 16
KJV 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:)
ASV When I applied my 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),
WEB When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on the earth (for also there is that neither day nor night sees sleep with his eyes),
YLT When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the business that hath been done on the earth, (for there is also a spectator in whose eyes sleep is not by day and by night),
DRB And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to understand the distraction that is upon earth: for there are some that day and night take no sleep with their eyes.
DBY When I applied my 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),
GNV When I applied mine heart to knowe wisedome, and to behold the busines that is done on earth, that neither day nor night the eyes of man take sleepe,
LSB When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the endeavor which has been done on the earth (even though one never sees sleep with his eyes day or night),
Verse 17
KJV Then 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 farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
ASV then I beheld all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however much a man labor to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea moreover, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
WEB then I saw all the work of God, that man can’t find out the work that is done under the sun, because however much a man labors to seek it out, yet he won’t find it. Yes even though a wise man thinks he can comprehend it, he won’t be able to find it.
YLT then I considered all the work of God, that man is not able to find out the work that hath been done under the sun, because though man labour to seek, yet he doth not find; and even though the wise man speak of knowing he is not able to find.
DRB And I understood that man can find no reason of all those works of God that are done under the sun: and the more he shall labour to seek, so much the less shall he find: yea, though the wise man shall say, that he knoweth it, he shall not be able to find it.
DBY then I saw that all [is] the work of God, [and] that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because however man may labour to seek [it] out, yet doth he not find [it]; and even, if a wise [man] think to know [it], he shall not be able to find [it] out.
GNV Then I behelde the whole worke of God, that man cannot finde out ye worke that is wrought vnder the sunne: for the which man laboureth to seeke it, and cannot finde it: yea, and though the wise man thinke to knowe it, he cannot finde it.
LSB and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot find out the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not find it out; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot find it out.