What does Ecclesiastes 3:22 say?

And I have seen that there is nothing better than that man rejoice in his works, for it is his portion; for who doth bring him in to look on that which is after him?

What translation is this?

This passage is displayed in the Young's Literal Translation (YLT) translation on Scripture Lens.

What are related verses?

Related passages to Ecclesiastes 3:22 include Deuteronomy 7:9, Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 19:4-6, Psalm 95:1-7, and Malachi 3:6, and more.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 (YLT)

Passage

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?

Nearby Context

Ecclesiastes 3:20 The whole are going unto one place, the whole have been from the dust, and the whole are turning back unto the dust.

Ecclesiastes 3:21 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?

Ecclesiastes 3:22 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?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "seen", "nothing", "better", "than", "rejoice", "works", "portion", and "doth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "seen" and "nothing", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "Who knoweth the spirit of the sons...", giving immediate footing for "seen" and "nothing". In Ecclesiastes context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "seen" and "nothing" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.