Ecclesiastes 3:12

¹⁰ I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

¹¹ 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.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

¹³ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

¹⁴ 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.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and do good while they live,
KJV: I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.
WEB: I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice, and to do good as long as they live.
ASV: I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live.
DARBY: I know that there is nothing good for them but to rejoice and to do well in their life;
BLB: I know that there is nothing good for them, but than to rejoice and to do good during their lives,

ÅB: Jeg skjønte at de intet annet gode har enn å glede seg og å gjøre seg til gode i livet;
OTB: Jeg vet at det ikke er noe bedre for mennesker enn å glede seg og gjøre godt i livet.
B1930: Jeg skjønte at de intet annet gode har enn å glede sig og å gjøre sig til gode i livet;

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Psalms 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
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Ecclesiastes 3:22
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?
Read in context
1 Timothy 6:18
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
Read in context
1 Thessalonians 5:15–16
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Read in context
Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Read in context
Philippians 4:4–9
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
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Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
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Isaiah 64:5
Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Read in context