Ecclesiastes 9 – Compare Chapter Translations
Verse-by-verse comparison of Ecclesiastes 9 across supported Bible translations.
Verse 1
KJV For 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.
ASV For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it be love or hatred, man knoweth it not; all is before them.
WEB For all this I laid to my heart, even to explore all this: that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; whether it is love or hatred, man doesn’t know it; all is before them.
YLT But all this I have laid unto my heart, so as to clear up the whole of this, that the righteous and the wise, and their works, <FI>are<Fi> in the hand of God, neither love nor hatred doth man know, the whole <FI>is<Fi> before them.
DRB All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred:
DBY For all this I laid to my heart and [indeed] to investigate all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God; man knoweth neither love nor hatred: all is before them.
GNV I have surely giuen mine heart to all this, and to declare all this, that the iust, and the wise, and their workes are in the hand of God: and no man knoweth eyther loue or hatred of all that is before them.
LSB For I have given all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their service are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything may be before him.
Verse 2
KJV All 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.
ASV All 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.
WEB All things come alike to all. There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked; to the good, to the clean, to the unclean, to him who sacrifices, and to him who doesn’t sacrifice. As is the good, so is the sinner; he who takes an oath, as he who fears an oath.
YLT The whole <FI>is<Fi> as to the whole; one event is to the righteous and to the wicked, to the good, and to the clean, and to the unclean, and to him who is sacrificing, and to him who is not sacrificing; as <FI>is<Fi> the good, so <FI> is<Fi> the sinner, he who is swearing as he who is fearing an oath.
DRB But all things are kept uncertain for the time to come, because all things equally happen to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner: as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth.
DBY All things [come] alike to all: 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; he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.
GNV All things come alike to all: and the same condition is to the iust and to the wicked, to the good and to the pure, and to the polluted, and to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner, he that sweareth, as he that feareth an othe.
LSB It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear.
Verse 3
KJV This 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.
ASV This is an evil in all that is 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.
WEB This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yes 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.
YLT This <FI>is<Fi> an evil among all that hath been done under the sun, that one event <FI>is<Fi> to all, and also the heart of the sons of man is full of evil, and madness <FI>is<Fi> in their heart during their life, and after it--unto the dead.
DRB This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell.
DBY This is an evil among all that is done under the sun, that one thing befalleth all: yea, also the heart of the children of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live; and after that, [they have to go] to the dead.
GNV This is euill among all that is done vnder the sunne, that there is one condition to all, and also the heart of the sonnes of men is full of euill, and madnes is in their heartes whiles they liue, and after that, they goe to the dead.
LSB This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.
Verse 4
KJV For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
ASV For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
WEB For to him who is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
YLT But <FI>to<Fi> him who is joined unto all the living there is confidence, for to a living dog it <FI>is<Fi> better than to the dead lion.
DRB There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion.
DBY For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
GNV Surely whosoeuer is ioyned to all ye liuing, there is hope: for it is better to a liuing dog, then to a dead lyon.
LSB For whoever is joined with all the living, there is confidence; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion.
Verse 5
KJV For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
ASV For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
WEB For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.
YLT For the living know that they die, and the dead know not anything, and there is no more to them a reward, for their remembrance hath been forgotten.
DRB For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more, neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten.
DBY For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
GNV For the liuing knowe that they shall dye, but the dead knowe nothing at all: neither haue they any more a rewarde: for their remembrance is forgotten.
LSB For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
Verse 6
KJV Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
ASV As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun.
WEB Also their love, their hatred, and their envy has perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.
YLT Their love also, their hatred also, their envy also, hath already perished, and they have no more a portion to the age in all that hath been done under the sun.
DRB Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy are all perished, neither have they any part in this world, and in the work that is done under the sun.
DBY Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy is already perished; neither have they any more for ever a portion in all that is done under the sun.
GNV Also their loue, and their hatred, and their enuie is now perished, and they haue no more portion for euer, in all that is done vnder the sunne.
LSB Indeed their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished, and they will never again have a portion in all that is done under the sun.
Verse 7
KJV Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.
ASV Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
WEB Go your way—eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
YLT Go, eat with joy thy bread, and drink with a glad heart thy wine, for already hath God been pleased with thy works.
DRB Go then, and eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness: because thy works please God.
DBY Go, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works.
GNV Goe, eate thy bread with ioy, and drinke thy wine with a cheerefull heart: for God nowe accepteth thy workes.
LSB Go then, eat your bread in gladness and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works.
Verse 8
KJV Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment.
ASV Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil.
WEB Let your garments be always white, and don’t let your head lack oil.
YLT At all times let thy garments be white, and let not perfume be lacking on thy head.
DRB At all times let thy garments be white, and let not oil depart from thy head.
DBY Let thy garments be always white, and let not thy head lack oil.
GNV At all times let thy garments be white, and let not oyle be lacking vpon thine head.
LSB Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head.
Verse 9
KJV Live 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.
ASV Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun.
WEB Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your life of vanity, which he has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity: for that is your portion in life, and in your labor in which you labor under the sun.
YLT See life with the wife whom thou hast loved, all the days of the life of thy vanity, that He hath given to thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity, for it <FI>is<Fi> thy portion in life, even of thy labour that thou art labouring at under the sun.
DRB Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy unsteady life, which are given to thee under the sun, all the time of thy vanity: for this is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherewith thou labourest under the sun.
DBY Enjoy life 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 life, and in thy labour wherein thou art labouring under the sun.
GNV Reioyce with the wife whom thou hast loued all the dayes of the life of thy vanitie, which God hath giuen thee vnder the sunne all the dayes of thy vanitie: for this is thy portion in the life, and in thy trauaile wherein thou labourest vnder the sunne.
LSB See life with the woman whom you love all the days of your vain life, which He has given to you under the sun—all the days of your vanity; for this is your portion in life and in your labor in which you have labored under the sun.
Verse 10
KJV Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
ASV Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
WEB Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, where you are going.
YLT All that thy hand findeth to do, with thy power do, for there is no work, and device, and knowledge, and wisdom in Sheol whither thou art going.
DRB Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening.
DBY Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
GNV All that thine hand shall finde to doe, doe it with all thy power: for there is neither worke nor inuention, nor knowledge, nor wisedome in the graue whither thou goest.
LSB Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no working or explaining or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.
Verse 11
KJV I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
ASV I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
WEB I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
YLT I have turned so as to see under the sun, that not to the swift <FI>is<Fi> the race, nor to the mighty the battle, nor even to the wise bread, nor even to the intelligent wealth, nor even to the skilful grace, for time and chance happen with them all.
DRB I turned me to another thing, and I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to the skilful: but time and chance in all.
DBY I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to the intelligent, nor yet favour to men of knowledge; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
GNV I returned, and I sawe vnder the sunne that the race is not to the swift, nor the battell to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor also riches to men of vnderstanding, neither yet fauour to men of knowledge: but time and chance commeth to them all.
LSB I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the mighty, and neither is bread to the wise nor riches to the discerning nor favor to men who know; for time and misfortune overtake them all.
Verse 12
KJV For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
ASV For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
WEB For man also doesn’t know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.
YLT For even man knoweth not his time; as fish that are taken hold of by an evil net, and as birds that are taken hold of by a snare, like these <FI>are<Fi> the sons of man snared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.
DRB Man knoweth not his own end: but as fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon them.
DBY For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are taken with the snare, like them are the children of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.
GNV For neither doth man knowe his time, but as the fishes which are taken in an euill net, and as the birdes that are caught in the snare: so are the children of men snared in the euill time when it falleth vpon them suddenly.
LSB Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish seized in an evil net and birds seized in a trap, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.
Verse 13
KJV This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me:
ASV I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me:
WEB I have also seen wisdom under the sun in this way, and it seemed great to me.
YLT This also I have seen: wisdom under the sun, and it is great to me.
DRB This wisdom also I have seen under the sun, and it seemed to me to be very great:
DBY This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it was great unto me.
GNV I haue also seene this wisedome vnder the sunne, and it is great vnto me.
LSB Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it was great to me.
Verse 14
KJV There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
ASV There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
WEB There was a little city, and few men within it; and a great king came against it, besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it.
YLT A little city, and few men in it, and a great king hath come unto it, and hath surrounded it, and hath built against it great bulwarks;
DRB A little city, and few men in it: there came against it a great king, and invested it, and built bulwarks round about it, and the siege was perfect.
DBY There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and encompassed it, and built great bulwarks against it:
GNV A litle citie and fewe men in it, and a great King came against it, and compassed it about, and builded fortes against it.
LSB There was a small city with few men in it, and a great king came to it, surrounded it, and built large siegeworks against it.
Verse 15
KJV Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
ASV Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
WEB Now a poor wise man was found in it, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.
YLT and there hath been found in it a poor wise man, and he hath delivered the city by his wisdom, and men have not remembered that poor man!
DRB Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man.
DBY and there was found in it a poor wise man, who by his wisdom delivered the city; but no man remembered that poor man.
GNV And there was founde therein a poore and wise man, and he deliuered the citie by his wisedome: but none remembred this poore man.
LSB But there was found in it a poor wise man, and he provided a way of escape for the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
Verse 16
KJV Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
ASV Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man`s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
WEB Then I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” Nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
YLT And I said, `Better <FI>is<Fi> wisdom than might, and the wisdom of the poor is despised, and his words are not heard.' --
DRB And I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard?
DBY Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength; but the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
GNV Then said I, Better is wisdome then strength: yet the wisedome of the poore is despised, and his wordes are not heard.
LSB So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heard.
Verse 17
KJV The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
ASV The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
WEB The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him who rules among fools.
YLT The words of the wise in quiet are heard, More than the cry of a ruler over fools.
DRB The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools.
DBY The words of the wise are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
GNV The wordes of the wise are more heard in quietnes, then the crye of him that ruleth among fooles.
LSB The words of the wise heard in restfulness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
Verse 18
KJV Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
ASV Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
WEB Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good.
YLT Better <FI>is<Fi> wisdom than weapons of conflict, And one sinner destroyeth much good!
DRB Better is wisdom, than weapons of war: and he that shall offend in one, shall lose many good things.
DBY Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good.
GNV Better is wisedome then weapons of warre: but one sinner destroyeth much good.
LSB Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.